It is hard to believe that I have been gathering data on B&S “blue label” saxophones for nearly a decade. That’s crazy! Therefore, it is not surprising that over the past few years more information has become available, and it is time to update my B&S pages on my website.
Through the painstaking work of people at the Musikinstrumenten-Museums Markneukirchen, and through my colleague, Uwe Ladwig, all kids of data regarding the pre-unification horns has come to light. Some of the most interesting information that has recently been published in German sources about these “blue label” horns, involves the number of different models, as well as the evolution of these models.
Something I noticed from the beginning of data gathering
Since I began tracking serial numbers and features of B&S saxophones, I noticed we had quite different features on horns very close in serial number. This led me to speculate if we had a step-up grade of “blue label” horn—although nothing in the published materials indicated that was the case.
It turns out that B&S changed the B&S “blue label” horns in 1985, and gave them them new bells and bows.1 Additionally, serial numbers on the alto and tenor were restarted at 1001 and 1067 respectively. (No word on what happened with the baritones.)
Apparently, this is why some serial numbers are duplicated—e.g. I have recorded tenor # 2376 twice, but they are different horns. Furthermore, instruments that were still in stock, were updated with the new bells and bows, but their serial numbers were kept original.2
All of these peculiarities will be explored in detail when I finish with the rest of my research, and update the B&S pages of my site. I will post an update to this article when I have it completed.
B&S “blue label” saxes: serials and features presented in tables
Since the beginning I had gathered all the data I collected on Excel spread sheets. That made it difficult to share. After a recent discussion with some players on SOTW, I decided it was time to dust off the charts, and see about getting it up for everyone to take a look at.
Enter the following 4 tables you see below. Soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones each have their own table. These tables are not finished. At this point the data was just copied over from my Excel charts.
Note: Pressing the + sign inside the circle will show further info on specific horns.
I haven’t quite figured out yet how each of these horns will be described. I still need to finish researching all the German sources I have, and I need to correspond with Uwe a bit to tie up any loose ends. But at least these searchable tables are a start.
At the time of writing, 269 horns (SATB) are represented in these tables. Why so few after nearly a decade of searching? For a number of reasons, mainly though, for this to work really well, I need serial numbers on horns, and not all sellers provide them. Also, many times the photos are not plentiful enough, or are of such poor quality, that I can’t find enough of the features I’m looking for to make the horn worth entering into the database. This is where you come in…
B&S blue label census: count your horn in!
If you have a B&S blue, or gold label saxophone, and you would like to contribute to my research efforts, that would be greatly appreciated!
These are the specs I’m looking for:
For all saxophones:
- Serial # (first 3 numbers are fine)
- finish (clear lacquer with nickel keys; gold lacquer with nickel keys; silver plate; or nickel plate)
- chromatic f# sharp key shape (diamond horizontal or upright rectangular)
- thumb rest type (fixed metal or adjustable metal or adjustable plastic)
- type of tone holes (straight or rolled; drawn or soldered)
- “Made in” stamping reads: G.D.R.; G.D.R. and R.D.A.; D.D.R.; other? What is it?
Additional data for alto, tenor, and baritones:
- Logo colour (blue or gold)
- C# key guard (yes/no)
- Pant guard (yes/no)
- Bell to Body Brace Fastening on Bell (horizontal diamond or elongated, Selmer-style)
You can send the above data to me via email. If you are interested in contributing your horn to the B&S gallery, I’m happy to accept photo contributions as well, but that is certainly not necessary.
I want thank SOTW members megwenda and logdrum for prompting me to get going on this rather-overdue work.
1 Faszination Saxophon: DerSaxophonbau Auf Deutschprachigem Gebiet, First edition 2016, Günter Dullat, p. 253.
2 Ibid
B&S Soprano Saxophones
B&S "blue label" sopranos.Soprano | Stars in Bell Engraving | Finish | Chromatic F# Key Shape | Thumb Rest | Toneholes | Made In Stamping | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1046 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | ||
1112 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | ||
1126 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
1196 | 0 | silver | straight | Made In GDR | |||
1201 | 0 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
1252 | 0 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
1292 | 0 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
1476 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made in GDR | |
1508 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
1595 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
1622 | 0 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
1638 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | ||
1944 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | straight | Made In GDR | ||
1961 | 0 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
1992 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
2100 | 0 | lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
2370 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
2377 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made in GDR | |
2896 | silver | horizontal teardrop | straight | Made In GDR | |||
2927 | 0 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
3126 | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | ||
3281 | 0 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
3364 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | ||
3369 | silver | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | ||
3729 | 0 | gold lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | straight | |||
3781 | gold lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | fixed metal | straight | |||
3854 | 2 | silver plated | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | ||
4162 | silver plated | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | ||
4189 | 2 | silver plated | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
4237 | 2 | silver plated | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
4375 | 2 | gold lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | |
4382 | 1 | silver | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made In GDR | There is only 1 star in the pic. It is on the right side of of the S in B&S. The photo is a bit blurry so the other might have been buffed out, photo-shopped out, or never have been there at all. |
4527 | 0 | gold lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectanglar | ||||
4573 | 0 | lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made in GDR | Stencil horn marked: Kawai by B&S |
4589 | 0 | lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | Made in GDR | Stencil horn marked: Kawai by B&S |
4689 | silver | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | |||
46XX | gold lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | |||
4767 | 2? | gold lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | It was hard to say for sure if there were 2 stars since the pic was so shitty, but most likely there were | |
5081 | 2 | gold lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | ||
5116 | 2 | silver plated | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made in GDR | |
5430 | 2 | lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made in GDR | |
5527 | 2 | lacquer | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | Made in Germany | transitional? |
5604 | 2? | Lacquer with nickel plated keys? | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Probably 2, but only 1 is shown. The pics are crap. You couldn't even tell what kind of finish it had for sure the photos were so bad. The only reason I catalogued it was that I hadn't seen a soprano with this high a serial # before | |
05740 | 2 | lacquer | upright rectanglar | fixed metal | straight | Made In Germany | transitional |
01858 | 2 | lacquer | upright rectanglar | adjustable plastic | straight | Made In Germany | transitional |
002301 | 2 | lacquer | upright rectanglar | adjustable plastic | straight | Made In Germany | transitional |
B&S Alto Saxophones
B&S "blue label" alto saxophonesAlto | Stars in Bell Engraving | Logo Colour | Finish | Chromatic F# Key Shape | High F# Key Shape | Thumb Rest | Toneholes | C# key Guard Y/N | Clothes Guard Y/N | Bell to Body Brace Fastening on Bell | Made In Stamping | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
01XX | 2 | blue | clear lacquer/ relac? | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable plastic | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in Germany | I suspect that this horn was made shortly before the company discontinued the blue label line. Note the serial #. This was the new serial # convention. It is also the new finish option. I call this a "transitional" horn as the company switched from a VEB to a GmbH | |
1306 | 0 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer style | |||
1315 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Horn built sans high F# key. | ||
1400 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizonal diamond | Made in Germany | Horn built sans F# key. The "made in" stamping on bell to bow connecting ring. | |
1711 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | N | horizontal diamond | ||||
1755 | 0 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | y | elongated Selmer-style | Made In GDR | ||
1783 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | ||||
1922 | kawai blue & white | lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated Selmer-style | Made in GDR | Stencil horn Kawai | ||
2XXX | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | |||
2062 | blue | nickel plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | ||||
2361 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made In GDR | Stamped in the bell to bow connecting ring | |
2433 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Not stamped below serial #. The bell to body support bell is covered in some kind of white material. Can't see if it is stamped there. | ||
2555 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
2599 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
2580 | 0 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In GDR | Stencil horn Kawai. The post for the clothes guard were present, but the guard itself was missing. | |
2688 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
2709 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
2777 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
2841 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | Made in GDR | ||||
2994 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | |||
3049 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
3155 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
3158 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
3159 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
3173 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | ||||
31XX | 0 | blue | nickel plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horizontal diamond | ||||
3424 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
3663 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
3729 | 0 | blue | delacquered with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
3830 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
393X | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
4XXX | 2 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer style | Fabriqué en R.D.A. Made in GDR | ||
4008 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made In GDR | ||
4080 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
4086 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
4091 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
4137 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
4172 | 2 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer style | Fabriqué en R.D.A. Made in GDR | ||
4195 | 0 | blue | nickel plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
448X | 0 | gold | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongate, Selmer style | There is evidence of blue paint on the gold bell to body brace logo. | ||
4533 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
4612 | 0 | blue | lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated Selmer-style | |||
4919 | 0 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated Selmer-style | Made in GDR | ||
5089 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
5299 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable plastic | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer-style | ||||
5400 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
55XX | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable plastic | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer-style | G.D.R. | |||
5657 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
6015 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | |||
6071 | 2 | blue | lacquer with lacquered keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable plastic | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer style | Made In Germany | This almost looks likes a transitional, but is lacking the "0" in front of the 6. | |
6085 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
60XX | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | |||
6174 | 0 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
6247 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made In GDR | ||
6270 | 0 | blue | lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
6563 | blue | blue epoxy (lacquer?) with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | Blue lfinish was partially removed to expose bare brass below. Seller claimed it was the original finish. | ||
6902 | 0 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | Has additional stamping 24/8 just above the Made In stamp | |
7524 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
7525 | blue | delacquered body with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
7849 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
7977 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made In GDR | |||
8359 | 0 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horizontal diamond | Fabriqué en R.D.A. Made in GDR | |||
8523 | 0 | blue/gold | silver plated | horizontal rectangular | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | Blue label on left side, gold on right | |
8781 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Not stamped below serial #. No shot of bell to bow connecting ring, so can't see if it is stamped there | ||
8803 | 0 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
8826 | 0 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
8840 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
8926 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | |||
8935 | 0 | gold | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
9083 | 0 | blue/gold | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | Gold on right side, blue on left | |
9327 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | Photo is not great. Could be 9927, but looks more like 93 than 99. | ||
9940 | blue | nickel plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | Has black key touches and black buttons on the low Bb, B, & C key guards. Most likely aftermarket. | ||
? | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | ||||
? | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horiztonal diamond | |||||
? | gold | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable plastic | straight | n | n | elongated, Selmer-style | ||||
? | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | |||
? | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | none present | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | |||
? | blue | dark honey gold lacquer | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adustable plastic | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer style | ||||
? | blue | dark honey gold lacquer | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable plastic | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer style | According to seller, this horn was made in Dec 1977. He got this info in an email from the museum in Markneukirchen. |
B&S Tenor Saxophones
B&S "blue label" tenor saxesTenor | Stars in Bell Engraving | Logo Colour | Finish | Chromatic F# Key Shape | High F# Key Shape | Thumb Rest | Toneholes | C# key Guard Y/N | Clothes Guard Y/N | Bell to Body Brace Fastening on Bell | Made In Stamping | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1014 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | horizontal teardrop | n/a | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in Germany | Horn has no high F#. "made in" stamped on bell to bow connecting ring |
|
1087 | 0 | blue | silver plated with gold wash bell | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in Germany | For sale again in April 2016. This time the flaking gold wash bell had been stripped and it was only a silver plated horn. Was the gold wash aftermarket to begin with? The "made in" is stamped on the bell to bow connecting ring. |
1093 | blue | silver plated with gold wash bell | horizontal teardrop | n/a | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | The "made in" is stamped on the bell to bow connecting ring. | ||
1147 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in Germany | The "made in" is stamped on the bell to bow connecting ring. | |
1270 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | |||
1559 | lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | ||||
1565 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in Germany | The "made in" is stamped on the bell to bow connecting ring. |
1599 | 0 | blue | lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | This horn was dead mint. Still had the original MP, neck strap. Seller claimed it was from 1986. I am starting to wonder if B&S went back to the beginning with their serials? |
1631 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | n/a | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
1654 | gold | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | ||
1708 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | There is nothing stamped below the serial #. The bell to bow connecting isn't well photographed, but it doesn't appear to be there either???? WTF? | |
1986 | gold | delacquered with nickel plated keys (also matte finish) | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | |||
2031 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizonal diamond | Made in GDR | "made in" stamped on bell to bow connecting ring |
2083 | 0 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | |
2184 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Couldn't read it, but it looks like it is stamped on the bell to bow connecting ring | |
2250 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in DDR | "made in" stamped on the bell to bow connecting ring |
2373 | 2 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated-Selmer-style | Made in GDR | |
2376 | 2 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated-Selmer-style | Made in GDR | This horn was sold as NOS in 2016. Note the other tenor with the same serial # included in this list. It has different features, and appears to be an older model. |
2376 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal diamond | Made in GDR | "made in" stamped on the bell to bow connecting ring. |
2414 | 0 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in DDR | "made in" stamped on bell to bow connecting ring |
2420 | 0 | blue | lacquer with nickel keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | straight | n | horizontal diamond | # on horn not shown, only on neck | |||
2442 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horizontal diamond | ||||
2499 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | |||
2516 | 1 | blue | lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | Might be 2 stars, but can only see 1. The other might be hidden in a black reflection on the bell. |
2585 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | |||
2664 | 2 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Also has a registered trade mark symbol R in a circle on the right side of the logo, just above the leaves & at the 2 o'clock spot of the star by the S of B&S. | |
2700 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | G.D.R. & R.D.A (French) | ||
27XX | 2 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | |
2796 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | n | y | elongated, Selmer-style | |||
2808 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | None | ||
2877 | 0 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in Germany | I can't be sure it said Germany since the pic was not that big. But the stamping looked too long to be GDR |
2858 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In DDR | "made in" stamped on bell to bow connecting ring. Horn was paired with Selmer Mark VII neck. |
3025 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | straight | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | ||||
3044 | 2 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | straight | y | elongated, Selmer-style | ||||
3155 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
3177 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | The serial # is a bit of a guess. The pic showing the # is shite. It could be 8177, or maybe ??? But based on the 2 upright F# keys I am guessing that it starts with a 3--since none of the 8XXX horns I have seen so far have anything other than a horizontal F# key | |
3198 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | Made in GDR | ||
3213 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | This sax has an original pick-up built into the neck. Seller mentions something about the neck being a Weltklang... |
3246 | 0 | blue | mostly delacaquered with nickle plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
3309 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | |||
3371 | 0 | blue | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | The shape of the chromatic F# would be an upright rectangular one if it was there--but it is missing. The tone hole is closed off with a plastic top from a Fuji Film roll container. |
3451 | blue | lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | |||||
3499 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | n/a | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in DDR | ||
3579 | 0 | blue | lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | |
3616 | gold | silver plated | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | Made in GDR | Only the right side of the bell to body brace is visible, and that side has had the blue enamel removed. | ||
3661 | gold plated | silver plated with 1 gold plated key | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | This horn has some MOP key touches on R palm keys & also MOP inlaid on the key guards. It is engraved "Ahnenerbe" on the bell, and "Nenibredni" on the neck. Likely a custom horn. | ||
3674 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Only # under octave lever visible. | |
3870 | 0 | blue on one side & gold on the other | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable plastic | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | |
3809 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable plastic | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | ||
3912 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
3993 | 0 | blue | silver plate | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adustable plastic | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in GDR | |
3xxx | 0 | blue | lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Slemer style | ||
4053 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
4147 | 2 | blue on one side & gold on the other | gold lacquer with nickel keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adustable plastic | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made in Germany | |
4388 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
4476 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
4483 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made in GDR | ||
4571 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
4643 | 0 | n/a | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | Made in GDR | The bell to body support brace has been replaced with a non-B&S brace | ||
4649 | 0 | n/a | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | The bell to body support brace has been replaced with a non-B&S brace. ?? is this the same horn as 4643? Did I screw up the #?? The seller has included a clear shot of the serial #. It is without a doubt 4649. These pics also don't look familiar. I'm wondering if the new owner is selling it, since while the pics don't look familiar, the brace does. |
4658 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | GDR | ||
4730 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
4771 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GBR | No pic available. I think the seller meant GDR for "made in". |
5095 | 0 | blue | nickel plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
5491 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |||
5575 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | |
5747 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
6104 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
6125 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | |||
6144 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | this sax was crushed, but still recognizable | |
6326 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
6329 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
6375 | 0 | blue | silver plate | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
6390 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
6361 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
6455 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | 2nd # look like a 4, but it the right vertical line is a bit hinky. Looks badly stamped maybe. |
6520 | 0 | blue | nickel plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In DDR | |
6617 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
6632 | blue | silver plate | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | |||
66XX | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
7059 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | straight | n | n | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In GDR | |||
7100 | 0 | blue | body clear lacquer with nickle plated keys. Neck gold lacquer. | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
7216 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | ||
7244 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made In GDR | ||
7264 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | |
7311 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | Made In GDR | ||
7320 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
7350 | 0 | n/a | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | typical bell to body brace was removed and a straight metal bar was added in its place |
7435 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
7439 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
7675 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in DDR | Might be GDR, but the image was rather blurry. However, when blown up in photoshop, the first 2 letters looked the same, so likely is "DD". | |
7659 | 0 | blue | mostly delacaquered with nickle plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | blue label on one side, missing completely on the other. This tells us that these blue labels are just glued into place |
7692 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
7785 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | |
7779 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | the blue was scraped off the right side leaving a "gold" label. It was not a good job. |
7806 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | |
7841 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | This could be nickel plated |
7921 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
8054 | blue | silver plate | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
8077 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
8166 | blue | silver plate | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
8188 | blue | silver plate | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | This horn has been buffed to a matte finish | ||
8199 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
8378 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
8410 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | |
8645 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
8832 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
8856 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
8920 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | ||
9015 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | ||
9110 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | horiztonal diamond | ||||
9199 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | |
9368 | blue | slver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | ||
9527 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
9681 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | Made in GDR | |||
9780 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
10188 | 0 | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | |
10236 | 0 | gold | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | evidence that the blue enamel has been removed. |
10325 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made In GDR | ||
10335 | 0 | blue/gold | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | Made in GDR | blue on right side; gold on left of bell to body brace logo. |
10349 | 0 | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
10466 | 0 | blue | lacquer with nickel keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horizontal dimaond | ||
10451 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | straight | n | ||||||
10475 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | Made In GDR | ||
? | blue | silver plated | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | |||
? | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | |||
? | blue | clear lacquer with nickel plated keys | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | |||
? | blue | delacquered with nickel plated keys (also matte finish) | horizontal teardrop | upright rectangular | fixed metal | straight | n | n | horiztonal diamond | |||
? | gold | ? Lacquer with nickel plated keys | upright rectangular | upright rectangular | adjustable metal | straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style |
B&S Baritone Saxophones
B&S "blue label" bari saxesBaritone | Stars In Engraving | Logo Colour | Finish | Chromatic F# Key Shape | High F# Key Shape | Thumb Rest | Toneholes | C# key Guard Y/N | Clothes Guard Y/N | Bell to Body Brace Fastening on Bell | Made In Stamping | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1455 | 0 | blue | Silver plated | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In GDR | |
1061 | 0 | blue | Silver plated | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In GDR | |
14XX | 0 | none present | Nickel plated ? Or Shiny Silver plate | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In GDR | the coloured badges have been removed, and only the brace remains. Clearly shows that the coloured label is just glued in. |
1419 | 0 | blue | Lacquer with nickel plated keys | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In GDR | Stencil horn engraved Barby |
1515 | blue | Lacquer with nickel plated keys | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | n | y | horizontal diamond | Made In GDR | This horn is a stencil, and engraved with the name Fleur--or so the owner says. Maybe LaFluer? | |
17XX | blue | Lacquer with nickel plated keys | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | This sax is engraved with the model name "Condor" | |||
1854 | blue | gold lacquer with nickel plated keys | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Fabriqué en R.D.A. Made in GDR | ||
1938 | 0 | blue | silver plated | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In GDR | |
2239 | 1 | blue | Silver plated | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Crap photo. Likely has 2 stars, but could only see the 1 | |
2271 | 2 | blue | Silver plated | Horizontal Teardrop | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In GDR | ||
22XX | 2 | blue | Lacquer with nickel plated keys | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | ||
2313 | 2 | blue & gold after rebuild a few months later | Lacquer with nickel plated keys | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | ||
2425 | blue | Lacquer | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | Plastic Selmer adjustable to replace original. | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In Germany | ||
2429 | 2 | blue | Laquer | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable plastic | Straight | Y | Y | elongated, Selmer-style | Made In Germany | |
? | 0 | blue | Lacquer with nickel plated keys | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style | ||
? | 2 | blue | Lacquer with nickel plated keys | Horizontal Teardrop | n/a | adjustable metal | Straight | y | y | elongated, Selmer-style |