Yesterday I saw something very interesting on eBay: a vintage Artist #300 alto saxophone. Now what makes this vintage horn interesting, is that it was made by Dörfler & Jörka (D&J) in Germany.
To date the Artist #300 name is not one that has been associated with D&J anywhere on the Internet. However, the seller did his homework and is very correct. This is indeed a Dörfler & Jörka alto. (BTW, notice the lip of the bell doesn’t appear to be straight.)
Source: eBay.com
Here is how the seller describes this vintage German alto:
Vintage Dörfler & Jörka “Artist #300” Alto Sax with case and Rene Dumont short shank mouthpiece. I have read the body is made by Keilwerth and the keywork is by Dörfler & Jörka. It was made in Western Germany and the Serial number is 111xx. Dörfler & Jörka produced saxes for several companies – the engraving on this matches the Rene Dumont and Senator nodels of Dörfler & Jörka saxes I see on the web. It’s in very nice condition doe its age with only a few minor dings and finish wear.
Features:
- Rolled Tone Holes and red leather pads
- Unique Dörfler & Jörka cinch screw that secures the neck into the body
- The keyguards have MOP caps – the thumbrest also has a MOP button.
- It has the signature Dörfler & Jörka clothing guard
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Here is a nice shot of the rolled tone holes on the bell keys.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Because D&J numbered their saxophones consecutively—regardless of the name stencilled on them—I noticed that this one was probably made during the same month as my De Villiers tenor. My tenor’s serial # is 1119X.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
In this photo there are 2 things that are obvious: 1. The low Bb pad is missing, and 2. The low B and C# pads that we can see appear to be red in colour. Those are most likely the original pads, since D&J saxes came from the factory with red pads.
Source: eBay.com
Here is a good photo of the badge, and you can see how it looks like not only those of the René Dumont and Senator saxophones the seller mentions, but also like the H. Genet, Roxy, Symphonic, and Voss as well.
Source: eBay.com
We do know that D&J made Toneline Artist saxophones. It is possible that whatever company had the Toneline Artist horns stencilled, also had other Artist series saxophones stencilled as well. Or, perhaps this Artist #300 was ordered by another company altogether.
In any event, the auction for this Dörfler & Jörka-stencilled alto runs until May 2. The Buy It Now price is $477.77.
