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Key work changes

Bell to body support brace

G# key shape

Octave Lever

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Features Changed Towards the End of the Production Run

Disclaimer: I am NOT a tech. And although I worked for one who specialized in vintage saxophones, we never had a Phase 3 Hohner President come into the shop in the 4 ½ years I worked there. Therefore, I never had the opportunity to compare a Phase 2 to a Phase 3 model, to see in which way they differed beyond the cosmetics illustrated below.

It is safe to presume there were some changes—like the location change of the high F# key—that may have made a difference to the horn’s intonation, response, etc. Were there any changes as dramatic like those we saw in the Selmer Mark VI? Yes, quite likely.

I know based on conversations I’ve had with other President owners, that my tenor played, responded, and sounded vastly different than Phase 1 tenors, or even early Phase 2 tenors. Since my horn was stock in every way when I got it, with very little playing time on it, it made an interesting test case for what the Transitional saxes were like. However, like all hand-made, vintage instrument we have to keep in mind there is potential for variance from horn to horn.

You win some. You lose some.

Around serial #13XXX, Hohner changed the design of the President saxophones. The previously-noted C/D trill key was dropped as a feature on the horns, and the high F# key was moved from optional to standard feature.

Why was this done?

I am not at all clear why these changes were made, but in about 1964, the Hohner President underwent the only real cosmetic design change in its 23 year production history. At around serial # 13XXX, the following quite obvious changes distinguish them from their predecessors.

Bell to body support brace

Phase 1 & 2 Presidents

• Originally the Hohner President had a straight brace that had the shape of the horn’s posts.

Phase 3 President

• Whereas these late-model Presidents had a brace made of an arched piece of brass.

The shape of the G# Key

Phase 1 & 2 Presidents

• Pre-13XXX, the President has a G# key that was wider on the horn side and plain. 

Phase 3 President

• Post-13XXX, the key was redesigned and was thinner on the horn side, and was stamped with the Hohner logo.

Octave lever

The last obvious cosmetic change that the Hohner President underwent around 1964 was the shape of its octave lever.

Phase 1 & 2 Presidents

• Prior to the 13XXX horns, the octave lever on these MK-designed horns was shaped like the butt-end of a rifle.

Phase 3 President

• Post-13XXX the octave lever had an oval shape with a bit taken out for the left thumb rest.