Here is a very pretty, deco-style sax that’s up for auction on eBay at the moment. It was made by Couesnon, and it’s silver-plated.
Source: eBay.com
Here is how the seller describes this vintage Couesnon alto saxophone:
I am a music teacher and long time alto player, but am looking to downsize my collection. This sax is an Art Deco beauty. I’ve owned it since 2002, and logged some real enjoyable hours on it. The pads are in good condition, and it plays nice. LIke any other horn, you’ll want to get it leak-light checked and balanced once you get it. It has a nice tone, and I’ve coupled it with a Dave Guardala King R&B mouthpiece since I bought it. My gut has told me all along it would do better with a wood or resin mouthpiece though – as it’s bit edgy with the metal piece. It does come with the original white mouthpiece (can’t confirm it is the original mouthpiece, but it looks the part) and French ligature (pictured). But, the original white mouthpiece had a hairline crack on the neck so I’ve never risked using it. Because of the crack, I am including a stock Alto mouthpiece (brand x). This vintage sax is serial number 9352, making it a late 40’s to mid 50’s model. I had a repair shop pro tell me it was 1955, but I can’t find a reliable production chart to authenticate the exact year. Structurally, it’s sound, and shows slight pitting-denting on the bottom of the bell, which is typical for vintage horns. There is some tarnish/yellowing on the heavy wear areas (pictured). But, what really distinguishes the horn is the Art Deco styling. There really is nothing like it out there. All the palm keys and pinky keys are either beveled with straight edging or diamond shaped. And, the lower key guard and bell engraving is beautiful. If you’re looking for a vintage horn that will turn some heads, while still giving you your money’s worth in value and sound, this is one to own. The sax comes with a stock black case, polishing cloth, cork grease, neck strap, original mouthpiece w/cover and stock mouthpiece w/cover. Remember: this is a vintage horn, and will show wear and tear like any other 50+ year-old item. It is in real great shape for its age, but please don’t bid if you don’t get the fact that this horn is cool not because it’s like new, but because of it’s quality, history, and character.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
The seller went on to say the following, in response to this question that was asked about the sax:
Q: Hi, nice looker! Can you tell me if it plays nicely down to Bb and how is the tone lower down. Also are all keys nice and tight with no slack before take up. Thanks Dave Nov-02-09
A: When the pads seat nicely, she blows nicely down low. I can get the Bb out, but I know the horn pretty well. It’s been in the case for a year and would need a leak light/adjustment before I’d guarantee low Bb at a whisper for anyone else. I can tell you that the keys pop in tune when pressing them down percussively in sequence. The low Bb on this one is different too – the left hand pinky mechanism is a 5-position mechanism (pretty cool). Overall, the action is real good, with not a lot of wasted movement. It’s old, so it won’t compare to the tight action of the new pro horns or the lasting action of a Mark VI, but it isn’t too bad. There is some need for regulation. There “are” some wiggle and click issues that you would notice from four or five areas where the cork or felt could be reinforced or replaced (very minor – mind you). She’s not too good to be true, but she’s plenty good. I hope that helps. I’ll post your question and my response to the auction page.
Although the seller describes it as a Series I Monopole Model Serial Number 9352, that serial number would most likely make it a Series II. If you look at the photo gallery on saxpics.com, you’ll find that the Series II has examples that range in numbers from the 8XXX to 10XXX. Comparing the engraving, it too is of the newer type, found in the Series II.
The auction for this very pretty, deco-style, vintage Couesnon alto sax runs until November 8. At the time of writing there were 6 bids on the horn. The high bid was $202.50.
I AM FROM PRETORIA GAUTENG PROVINCE SOUTH-AFRICA PLAYING WITH A COUSENON PARIS ALTO SILVERPLATED MONPOLE CONVERSATORY312878 FEMALE DOUBLE SOCKET NECK THIS HORN HAS NICE WARM MELLOW SOUND IPLAY IT WITH BERGLARSEN 105/2 MOUTHPIECE
5 years After the Last post Here are the explanations on Couesnon’s Logo.
1) what was called a rooster is the animal emblem of France since thé french revolution. Starting to sing in all part of France just before sunrise it is calling for a New day/New era: the first french republic one.
Its feathers being of Many different colors it means some kind of “unity in diversity”.
2) 2 birds heads is relevant to the long instrumental tradition in France. One watching toward the past and so the tradition, the other towards the future of instrument making and innovation.
That is the claim of the logo chosed by this very old company: uniting traditional savoir faire with modernity and innovation.
4) The axe is a common symbol of Many republic as it is bound in a “faisceau” (root of the Word fascism) meaning people unity make force. Here it is not relevant to the instrumental making but just to french republic so me an built in France.
Hope it help! And sorry for my english.
Ben
Oh, and just as an aside, about the engraving…
Does anyone else see the absolute irony in the choice of engraving? An axe and a couple of rooster heads? Who came up with this as a logo? Did someone really think this was a good idea? Or did they not think about it at all? Does it have some significance somehow? Enquiring minds want to know.
Update: Yes indeed, this little horn was popular with the eBay saxophone crowd. When the auction ended there were 30 bids on this vintage Couesnon alto, with deco-style finishing. The $800.00 winning bid is a far cry from the mere $202.50 it had on it just 24 hours earlier.
I’m actually happy that it sold for that. It gives me hope that the vintage saxophone market is on the rebound. (Although Pete and I have differing opinions on this. He thinks it hasn’t dipped at all.)
If the horn had been a tenor, I would have been tempted. Luckily it was an alto, so my GAS meter didn’t go off. :devil1:
Apparently several people had an appreciation of this horn! It was at $551 with three minutes to go, and closed at $800! 😯