Buescher Stencil, Lyon Healy, lacquer Lyon & Healy 'American Professional' ( Buescher ) C-Melody Sax. This is a Lyon & Healy C melody low pitch Saxophone, from the 1920's, manufactured by Buescher, being sold with a new modern tenor sax mouthpiece - using standard tenor reeds. This set-up produces quite a contemporary blues/rock/jazz sound, with the lovely Buescher 'depth'. The markings on the sax bell read: LYON & HEALY - AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL - CHICAGO. On the back it reads: 90704 - LOW PITCH - PAT. DEC 8, 1914. It has the traditional Buescher 'scalloped' fin on the bow of the sax, and pearl inlaid round G# key. The instrument is (modern standard) Low Pitch, A=440, and the tuning has been checked satisfactorily against other modern instruments and an electronic tuner. Lyon & Healy was a big US instrument retailer based in Chicago, who had all their saxophones manufactured by major manufacturers like Buescher, Conn and Martin - but sold them engraved with the Lyon & Healy name - you will often see them referred to as 'Stencils'. Great value horns, quality and hand-built as well as any you'll ever find. This sax is in good playing order - tan leather pads have been professionally replaced at some stage, and still have a lot of life left in them - see the 'bell' picture. A really good chance to own this classic C-Melody sax with a very reasonable reserve price. As with all 80 year old used instruments, it has a few minor dings - mostly around the base (bow) area, and a small amount of lacquer pitting and discolouration. But overall the standard of the lacquer finish is quite good, and the sax has v.g.c.
I'd like to know value of my Alto Sax - Lyon & Healy (Chicago) serial #2012. I'd like to know value of my Alto Sax - Lyon & Healy (Chicago) serial #201265. According to some folks the later ones with serial numbers in the 200.000 range were made by Couturier, but I have almost no knowledge of Couturier saxes. Martin alto sax serial. Jul 13, 2011 I know for sure it is a lyon healy stencil but i'm not sure who the original maker of it is. I am trying to find more information on the saxophone that i have had in my family for years and years. A poor picture of what i own. It has a lyon healy engraving on the bell that is a very simple floralish pattern. The serial number is 12909.
Mother of pearl inserts on the main keys. The pictures below have been taken with natural lighting to try to best show the features of this classic instrument - in reality the colour of the lacquer is a deeper gold. Some reflections and shadow show in the lacquer, it's not all wear! The mouthpiece shown is my old Couf, used to test the sax - the mouthpiece supplied is new, unused except for a quick test and to record the sound sample.
I am trying to find more information on the saxophone that i have had in my family for years and years. I know for sure it is a lyon healy stencil but i'm not sure who the original maker of it is. I was told Buescher made most of their stencils but i haven't found exactly what mine looks like on other sites yet. The neck has a small curve in it but is straight and it doesn't have the fin on it. The body has the fin on the bottom of the bell. This is a poor picture of what i own.
It has a lyon healy engraving on the bell that is a very simple floralish pattern. The serial number is 12909 which i also could not find any information on. If anyone could help me find a year on this or how much it might be worth i would be greatful. I had no idea where to put this lol.
I know its old. We found it in my great grandmothers basement and before that it had belonged to a long deceased relative of mine.
Its in decent condition. Some tarnish and needs new pads.
But it plays beautifully. It could use a new mouthpiece too. As i dont know how old this one is. I've cleaned it but its kind of. Gross in some parts.
Ya that's just how mouthpieces get, especially when they are old. My old CONN mouthpiece i first started out with is a dark brown/green nowadays, but still plays well for beginners. Lyon & Healy produced their own horns for a while, with a mix of identifiable features, this one typically has a Martin style bow fin (not Buescher.) and a Conn 'mercedes' low C guard. Can maybe make out bevelled toneholes Need pictures of the bell engraving, and other details - as milandro commented - does it by any chance say 'LaPorte' anywhere on the engraving? The link below is to a C-Melody (not alto like yours), but note the Martin'ish bow fin and bevelled toneholes, but Conn low-C cage and neck brace.
And has been mentioned before by Grumps, Buescher/Martin/Conn serial number lists do not apply to stencils manufactured by those companies, so you cannot date the sax with those. Another interesting webpage link below about Lyon & Healy, with further links on that web-page - there is other ongoing L&H research taking place, it's become a bit of a cult, and of particular interest to me as I have both L&H C-Melody and C-Soprano saxes.
So klhanson, a few more pics please, especially of the bell engraving and tone-hole closeups. The first one was fine, just need more details if you want proper identification, and sadly a couple of hundred dollars might well be all it's worth - if it's a LaPorte Couturier, a collector may pay more (may.). Sad, because the build quality (and sound) of the L&H's I've owned and played far exceeded their achievable market value and that state will probably continue. The tone holes are not straight they are a little angled at the top. The serial number has a A on the top then 12909 in the middle and then a L on the bottom. I will get a few more pictures, one of the engraving especially here shortly.
It doesn't say la porte on it anywhere that i can find. All it says is Lyon healy in fancy script with -inf under that. And then it says american professional chicago in regular script on it.
The engraving itself is just a floral looking thing with the words inside a 'Frame'.