{"id":37628,"date":"2013-05-25T09:49:14","date_gmt":"2013-05-25T17:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/?p=37628"},"modified":"2024-06-07T11:34:29","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T18:34:29","slug":"looking-for-a-klingsor-alto-the-little-sax-shop-has-one-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/2013\/looking-for-a-klingsor-alto-the-little-sax-shop-has-one-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking For A Klingsor Alto?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is an interesting Hammerschmidt Klingsor alto<\/a> for sale on eBay at the moment. What makes it interesting, you ask? True, it doesn’t have the fancy acrylic key guards<\/a> that we associate with the brand. Nor does it have the full pearl treatment<\/a> that we see on their Model A<\/a> horns and stencils<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"alto<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: The Little Sax Shop<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Nope, this little alto has none of those things going for it. This Klingsor alto is just your run-of-the-mill Hammerschmidt with sheet metal key guards. As a matter of fact, if the repaired bow is any indication, this poor thing seems to have had a difficult life.<\/p>\n

\"alto<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: The Little Sax Shop<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

And to further compound this horn’s difficulties, it is only a Model C, which means that it was Hammerschmidt’s most basic model. It lacked not only the typical G# and D trill keys<\/a>, fork E flat<\/a>, and a high F#<\/a>, but it lacked even a front F key<\/a>. This model came with only 8 pearl key touches. (The 8th was on the G# key, which is photo 15 in the slide show below.)<\/p>\n

\"alto<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: The Little Sax Shop<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"alto<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: The Little Sax Shop<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

By now you might be asking yourself why I’m writing about this sax at all. What makes it so special that I would give it space on my website?<\/p>\n

The simple answer is that it sounds really nice, and actually plays in tune<\/span>. Given the inconsistencies of these late-model Klingsors<\/a>, this particular horn is not a risk to buy online. It is being sold by one of the most reputable sax dealers on eBay. Mark Wiseman not only deals in vintage saxophones, but is also a pro player, so he can properly demonstrate what this little Klingsor alto can do.<\/p>\n

httpv:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TwMiWVdQqN4<\/p>\n

Here is how Mark describes this lovely sounding, vintage German horn:<\/p>\n

1960s made Klingsor alto, quite a rarity: Hammerschmidts have quite a following amongst those who know about them. Very high quality, rolled tone holes, wonderful action and a stunning tone. It reminded me of a Martin, and then a Keilwerth, if that makes sense. Huge power of a Keilwerth but the warmth and depth of a Martin. It is a joy to play. I am a tone freak and I would not be this excited about something mediocre, would I? (A = No) It possesses one of the nicest tones I have ever come across.<\/p>\n

The alto has just returned from Ray Colomb where it received a full (\u00a3145) service, new corks, felts. Pads were new when the alto came to us.<\/p>\n

At some stage it has been badly damaged on the bottom, and has been repaired. I have taken lots of pictures of the end result, and you can’t see it when it is being played. I don’t believe the crash damage has any noticeable effect on the tone. The rest of the horn is in excellent shape, very pretty, bare brass, real pearls and a nice G# key touch. For some history of Hammerschmidt horns have a look at http:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/vintage-saxes\/european-made-saxes\/hammerschmidt<\/a><\/p>\n

Intonation (tuning) is spot on, and the sax has a double octave mechanism. This is purported to make the upper register clearer and more stable, which I think it does. The alto has no front F key, but altissimos are very accessible just by using the top B key.<\/p>\n

This is quite a special alto in my view, with a quality and tone that is pushing at the professional level. If you can get over the, er, organic look of the bottom, then this is a real bargain! Oh yes, almost brand new and rather decent SKB case. (I can supply a mouthpiece and strap if you need one, free).<\/p><\/blockquote>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n

Source: The Little Sax Shop<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Mark adds the following further information to all of his listings:<\/p>\n

I only sell saxophones that I myself would wish to play. I only sell saxophones that are working perfectly. The price might be higher, but this just reflects the fact that I have invested money in the saxophone that, er, needs to be recouped! Bear in mind that when you buy a vintage saxophone that hasn’t just had a complete overhaul\/repad BY A PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED REPAIRER, you might be up for a \u00a33-400 bill: DO THE MATHS and take a risk on something else if you like, or relax in the knowledge that you will playing one of my horns for many years until money needs spending on it. I am scrupulously honest in my appraisals, OK so I go on a bit, but you really are getting excellent instruments when you buy from me. Check out my feedback! Just bear in mind that for your money, vintage saxophones provide a quality of tone that is only obtainable in new saxophones many times the price. (Like 4 or five times…) And I would argue that vintage horns are always going to have better tones than ANY modern one produced today. Its all in the hardening of the metal over time – honest! I am always willing to help any player with advice on mouthpieces, or any other issue.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you’ve been looking for nice-sounding, vintage alto, and looks aren’t important to you, then this Klingsor alto by Hammerschmidt might just be the horn for you.<\/p>\n

The auction for this Hammerschmidt Model C Klingsor alto<\/a> runs until June 2. Bids are to start at \u00a3425.00, which eBay estimates to be $643.41 US. At the time of writing there were no bids on this vintage German sax yet.<\/p>\n

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…this is just my blog<\/em>. <\/span> My \u201creal\u201d <\/b> website is<\/span> www.bassic-sax.info.<\/a> If you\u2019re looking for <\/span> sax info<\/strong>,<\/span> you should check it out too.<\/span>There\u2019s lots<\/em> there! <\/span><\/div>\n
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There is an interesting Hammerschmidt Klingsor alto for sale on eBay at the moment. What makes it interesting, you ask? True, it doesn’t have the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[19],"tags":[625,660,151,642,657,662,643,31,26],"class_list":["post-37628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hammershmidt","tag-alto-saxophone","tag-ebay","tag-german-saxophones","tag-hammerschmidt","tag-klingsor","tag-video","tag-vintage-horns","tag-vintage-sax","tag-youtube"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t