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Couf Tenors: Superba I vs. Superba II

Couf Tenors: Superba I vs. Superba II

Superba I » Superba II » H. Couf Serial # Chart

What really are the differences between the Superba I and Superba II Couf tenor saxophones? The short answer is: Not as much as you might think, and it all depends on when it was made.

H. Couf tenors did undergo changes over the approximately 22 years that they were produced. It does appear that the earliest horns shared more with their JK cousins than latter horns did—as you will see below. 

A quick disclaimer

Unlike the Selmer Mark VI tenor—that had some very well documented changes over horn’s production run—very little is known at this point about the H. Couf saxophone’s design changes. To the best of my knowledge, the research I have gathered here is the first real attempt at collating relatively large amounts of data about this J. Keilwerth-made saxophone brand.

However, there are a number of limitations with this data: 1. The data gathered is based only on what can be seen in photos I have managed to find scattered across the Internet—or in a very few cases in person. 2. The quality and quantity of photos is often very limited for each instrument (sample). 3. Any changes not visible to the naked eye—such as bore dimensions for example—are obviously not known. 4. In some cases the sample sizes that I have been able to gather to date are so small, that I haven’t been able to conclusively draw any conclusions.

For all these reasons this page continues to be a work in progress. Over time, my hope is to fill in the missing blanks. If you can help in some way, please do not hesitate to drop me a note. Thanks!

What does the term “intermediate” mean in Couf speak?

Herb Couf said:

There were three levels of H. Couf saxophones; Superba I, the professional line…. Superba II the intermediate line with many of the same features as the Superba I…

Source:  Saxophone: Ein Kompendium, Uwe Ladwig. Second Edition, 2012. p. 59

That said, “intermediate” does not mean inferior, and not up to pro standards. The Superba II were built to the same level of precision that their Superba I cousins were. All intermediate means in this case, is that a few minor things were different. (Much like the only difference between JK’s pro and intermediate Toneking and The New King was the presence and absence of a high F# key.)

What’s interesting about the Superba IIs, is that the model doesn’t follow the same neat evolutionary trajectory that the Superba I does. Why? Since H. Couf has passed away I’m not sure we will ever truly know for sure. And unless someone invents a time machine and we can go back and talk to the man himself, we likely never will.

With all that in mind, it’s time to take a closer look at what makes a I a I, and a II a II, and their various phases and features.

Superba I Phases & serials



serial # catalogued to date: 54xxx


serial # range catalogued to date: 62436 – 76803


serial # range catalogued to date: 78347 – 81932


serial # range catalogued to date: 81xxx – 91373

Superba II Phases & serials



serial # range catalogued to date: 5X101 – 56412


serial # range catalogued to date: 63125 – 65029


serial # range catalogued to date: 68258 – 75964


serial # range catalogued to date: 801xx – 81518

A quick and dirty overview chart of the differences between the Superba 1 & 2 tenor saxophones

Why is this quick and dirty? Because it doesn’t account for the various exceptions to the features outlined in it—and there are quite a few. These exceptions, and much, much more, are gone over in minute detail in the following Superba 1 & 2 pages. So think of this chart as a primer, or a review, if you’re looking for a simple broad strokes listing of what changed when. 

Superba 1 vs 2 tenors

Feature
Superba 1/I
Superba 2/II
G# key
Phase 1-2 Black plastic. Phase 3-4 MOP
Phase 1-3 black plastic. Phase 4 MOP
Bell to body brace
Circle & half oval
Single round metal bar that around #74990 is shaped around the hinge tubes
Clothes guard
Phase 1 Lucite, Phases 2-4 metal
Phase 1 Lucite. Phase 2-4 metal.
Lyre holder
Attached to socket opposite neck fastening screw
Left side of body tube beside F3 key
MOP keys
Larger, without metal edges. (Like what`s now on the SX90.)
Smaller button inset within brass "cup". Metal edges encircle the pearls.
Right pinkie keys
"New", round JK style
Phase 1-3 until circa 69xxx old-school JK style. Phase 3 #71552 & onwards thru Phase 4: "new", round JK style
High F# key
Phase 1-2 small key shaped like right palm keys. Phase 3-4 semi-oval MOP. Late Phase 4 circa 91277 & onwards: regular-sized, rectangular upright.
Phase 1-3 looks like and is where JK Toneking's was. Phase 4 semi-oval MOP
Chromatic F#
Phase 1- 2 on side of body. Small key shaped like right palm keys. Phase 3-4 on back of body tube. MOP button key.
Phase 1 & 2 on side of body. Looks like Toneking's. Phase 3 on side of body. MOP button key. Phase 4 on back of body. MOP button key.
Extra keys
N/A
Phase 1-2 G# trill key. Phase 3-4 N/A.
Right thumb rest
Phases 1-3 adjustable metal. Phase 4 fixed black plastic
Fixed metal
Strap ring
Thick, flat ring
Simple metal ring
Tone holes
Rolled
Phase 1 rolled. Phase 2-4 drawn & straight.
Engraving
Bell & bow
Bell
 

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