There is a real rarity on the German eBay site at the moment: a Hammerschmidt Klingsor soprano saxophone. Hammerschmidt only made alto and tenor saxophones. They outsourced production of their sopranos and baritones to the Julius Keilwerth company.
Source: gearontologist
During the Klingsor production run, Keilwerth at first provided stencils of The New King, and later Toneking sopranos and baritones, to the Hammerschmidt company. These saxophones arrived at Hammerschmidt complete with engraving, which explains why the engraving looks radically different on this soprano…
Source: gearontologist
…than it does on Hammerschmidt’s own horns. Among other things, the blacksmith is totally different in the J.K. version.
The serial number 84021, tells us that this saxophone was made by Keilwerth in 1981. Therefore, we know that this is a Toneking. (The New King was discontinued as of the 1970s, when the Toneking became the intermediate level sax.)
Source: gearontologist
1981 also happens to be near the end of Hammerschmidt’s foray into saxophone production. The company stopped manufacturing the Klingsor in 1982.
Here is how the seller of this J.K.-made Klingsor, describes the horn:
foreign bidders welcome! up for bids is this Klingsor soprano sax. excellent condition, no dongs, no scratches. pads look almost new.
comes with original case.
any questions or problems: please mail, always trying to do my best.
BTW, the seller states in the German portion of the ad, that he is not a player.
Source: gearontologist
If you’re looking for a vintage, Toneking soprano sax, then this one might fit the bill. On the other hand, if you are a Hammerschmidt collector, and you absolutely want to have a full set, this might help you in your quest. I can honestly say this is the first J.K.-made Klingsor that I have seen in the 3 or more years that I have actively been researching and writing about the brand.
If you’d like to read more about Hammerschmidt saxophones, I have the company’s story—as it relates to saxophones—on my website.
If you’d like to read more about the Keilwerth horns that were used by Hammerschmidt, you can find the info on my newly completed J.K. Nauheim page.
The auction for this J.K.-made, Hammerschmidt Klingsor soprano saxophone, runs until August 19. At the time of writing there 7 bids on the little sax, with the high bid being €27.50. xe.com says that’s $33.82 US—at the time of writing of course.
Update: This Julius Keilwerth, in Hammerschmidt clothing, went to a new owner. The successful bidder had to outbid 22 others, and paid €358.00 for the privilege of owning this rather rare—due to its engraving—horn.
Hi Helen. I saw the brand “Klingsor” (with “R”) sometimes in his blog and website, but actually, I think the right is “Klingson”, with “N”. Maybe the “N” on the engraving seems to be a “R”.
http://www.hammerschmidt-klingson.com/
http://www.karl-hammerschmidt-klarinetten.de/spielmannsfloeten.htm
I didn’t know they still are making clarinets and weird piccolos.
Regards
Hi Peter.
Yes, Hammerschmidt is still alive and well, and making some high-end clarinets. Although the company currently sells their instruments—including their Asian-made saxophones—under the Klingson model name, spelled with an “n” at the end, their saxophones used to be engraved Klingsor, with an “r” at the end.
I know this for a fact, because I have 2 tenor saxophones engraved with the Klingsor name. Here is a photo of my nickel plated Klingsor, and this is my silver plated tenor.
The cheap, Asian-made, Klingson model saxophones that Hammerschmidt currently sells, have this laser engraving on the front of them bell.
The side of the bell, has a tacky, laser engraved version of the blacksmith.
Even way back in the company’s history, they used the Klingson name on their clarinets. Therefore there has always been some confusion with the Klingson/Klingsor names.
If you’d like to read more about the Hammerschmidt company, check out my Hammerschmidt page on my website. There I explore the company’s history, and discuss their current productions.
Hi Helen.
Thanks for solving this doubt.
It is always a pleasure to visit your blog.
About the Hammerschmidt, I read here (some time ago) about its history, because I have a Hammerschmidt stencil. Maybe I was careless in reading.
Regards
It’s just as well that he is only shipping to Europe or I might be tempted…