Lien-Cheng Saxophones From Taiwan: 65 Years Of Saxophone Production History

I make no secret about my preference for vintage saxophones. I would estimate that of the saxophone-specific articles written here since May 2008, approximately 75% of them are about horns made prior to the 1970s.

Besides my preference being for vintage saxophones, my predilections are towards European and American-made instruments. I do not have, nor do I plan to have, an Asian-made saxophone in my personal collection.

Call me a saxophone snob if you like. However, of the Asian-made horns that I have played, I’ve not been smitten by many of them. A couple have come close to inciting my G.A.S., but in the end, it didn’t happen.

That’s OK. Not all horns are for everybody. If they were, the world would be a very boring place, with many saxophonists sounding alike.

Having said this, I realize that Asian-made saxophones are an ever-increasing presence in the marketplace. Many of my readers—as well as my friends and colleagues—play horns made in Asia.

Since I like to stay current with what’s happening in the world of saxophones, I try to keep an eye out for information about Asian-manufacturers. Sometimes this information is not easy to find in the English language.

This morning I saw an article in Focus Taiwan, that writes about factory tours for the Lunar New Year. It seems that:

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has been urging people to visit tourism factories over the Lunar New Year to experience first hand how various products are made and used.

Source: Focus Taiwan

Among the factories that the article lists, is the Lien-Chang Musical Instrument Factory in Houli District in Taichung. Apparently the museum Chronicles the 65 years of Taiwanese saxophone production and export history, and features horns by Adolphe Sax, as well as Chang Lien-Chang—the man who is seen as the Taiwanese grandfather of the saxophone.

A quick Google search turned up the website for Lien-Cheng Saxophones. The story how these saxophones came about is actually quite an interesting one.

According to the company’s About Us page, as a young man, Lien Chang formed a jazz band with friends. A friend of his was the only one to have a saxophone, because the instruments were so expensive at the time.

Unfortunately the horn was destroyed in a fire. Lien Chang then decided to design a saxophone, and then manufacture the instruments for sale.

Chang’s first saxophone was produced in 1948, and after the first horn was sold, the Lien-Chang Musical Instrument Factory was founded. In 1977, Chang’s son took over the factory from his father. The company is now in the 4th generation of manufacturing saxophones.

Looking through the company’s saxophone offerings, I was surprised by the wide variety of choices in both models and finishes. With regards to the models however, I am unclear as to what the differences between them are.

For example, in alto models, Lien Chang offers 5 different ones, each in a variety of finishes. The descriptions for the most part are identical however.

There is only 1 horn that at first glance looks different. It’s key guards are more interesting, and aren’t Selmer-style. Also its finish is rather unique, and isn’t described anywhere on the company’s website, or in the catalogue.