A number of months ago I noticed a Hammerschmidt stencil horn in an eBay store. This morning I checked, and the Genton alto is still for sale through Larry’s Collection.
This is what Larry says about the sax:
Hammerschmidt, Germany Professional Alto Saxophone, Rolled Tone Holes, REAL Pearl Buttons, Inlaid Pearl or Shell G# key, Bell Engraved with Genton, Overhauled by the Selmer Authorized Dealer, Superb Playing Condition, s/n 06xx. This is one of the best values in professional saxophones today; the relatively unknown Hammerschmidt, Germany saxophones are almost a combination of Kohlert and Keilwerth properties. If you have never played a Hammerschmidt, this horn will change your mind, about saxophones…
This horn has the dark tone of the Kohlerts, and the fluid playability that is associated with Keilwerths. Kohlert often used a ‘flame’ design on the neck of their horns, and the octave key on this horn resembles that Kohlert ’57’s and Winnenden’s. The horn has a vintage patina, and it is a bebop monster!
Update for 6/27/08! Today I playtested this horn with a Brilhart Tonalin 3 and a La Voz Medium reed, and this set-up will take you to BeBop Nirvana! The Brilhart mouthpiece and the La Voz reed produce a HUGE sound, and the tone is totally 1950s… (The information on Hammerschmidt below is in German.)
http://www.klaus-a-schneider.de/facharbeit/seiten/deutschland.htm
The Charlie Parker tunes sound like they are supposed to, since this instrument has periodicity (probably made in the late 50s or early 60s). If you like Kohlerts and Keilwerths, you will thoroughly enjoy playing the Hammerschmidt Genton. FREE USA LOWER 48 SHIPPING FOR MEMBERS USING BUY-IT-NOW! All items are sold as-is, no returns.
Like a number of eBay listings I’ve found lately, the photos of the Genton are quite small. Despite their size, the photos do show an interesting little horn.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
This horn does share quite a few characteristics with my Hüttl, which is also a Hammerschmidt stencil. However, there are also some very obvious differences.
This Genton alto has been for sale for a while. Larry updated his listing in June last year, so we’re approaching nearly a year on the market.
Currently there is a 10% sale on the sax, and the Buy It Now price is $405.
Update: I just noticed that this sax finally sold through Buy It Now. The Buy It Now price had been $450 when the sale ended, so I wonder if the seller managed to get that amount for this little Hammerschmidt.