Even though at the time the high f# key was not a feature you can still hit the altissimo notes though harmonics with ease on the horn as long as the pads seal with no leaks. But it also has a mellow sound when played softly. It roars and with the M9 it turns into a paint peeler. The DOLNET saxes are not that common in the US as in Europe. This is a superb Dolnet curved sopranino in superb condition. The sax also has it’s original mouthpiece. Even though the name on the bell is Gi-Gi, the sax was made by Dolnet.
To find one in this condition is a rare find. I am more than impressed especially when using a Vandoren V16 T7 mpc and a Rico Metalite M9 wide chamber. Curved sopraninos are very hard to find, and Dolnet made one of the best. This means that your AS is older than mine in about the same time frame as that of Lester Young's. In Houston and started the PROMARK Manufacturer for drumsticks. Earl Bronstein sold the company to HH MUSIC. I was also able to date this as well due to the label on my sax case listing the name of a music store called Brocksteins that closed in 1968.
I have been able to date mine to 1959 base on my serial number 72291C in comparison to a Baritone with almost the same sequence sold in Italy. Lester Young and Don Byas both owned The BELAIRE TS models. Your sax almost looks like mine but as an alto. There is really no difference in the design and presentation in both AS and TS models with a the exception of the nickel plated keys and guards replaced the brass ones. Clarinet & Saxophone Reeds, Mouthpieces & Other Accessories Woodwinds.
The Jean Cartier series came in the mid 50's and and mid 60s. Tenor Dolnet saxophone (Bel air serial 710xxx) Forums Jazz. I did a lot of research on the various models such as the ROYAL JAZZ, BELAIRE which dated back in the 40s and 50's. I hope my informed theories will help you a bit.The DOLNET sax factory was established in 1885 and eventually bought out by Selmer in 1981. Over the years theyve produced some fine and distinctive horns, much sought after by those in the know - though unlike similar companies like Couesnon and Pierret, Dolnets tend not to be quite so refined in. I have a question for you: How does it play? How is its intonation? Does it have an even scale across the entire range of the horn? How much resistance is there? Anything odd, bad, or good about it? The Dolnet (pronounced doll-nay) company started making saxophones in the late 19th century and continued right up until the mid 1980s.
An experienced buyer might mistake it for that, but the engraving smacks of laser, and not hand-craftsmanship. Rare saxophone Henri DOLNET Pacros / Carrion Victoria Ténors Sib Pre-owned. Speaking about engraving… That engraving visible in the pics you sent me is clearly not coming from the Selmer factory. New listing Vintage Dolnet Alto Saxophone Bel Air.
In this case I would call it a Selmer BA-inspired horn, or a Selmer BA-esque horn.Ĥ. The Royal Jazz is the same as a Bel Air model, with the addition.
Whatever this Selmer-esque horn is, I wouldn’t call it a knock-off, a counterfeit, or even necessarily a copy since it has no brand name engraved on the bell. I recently performed a full overhaul on a Dolnet Royal Jazz alto saxophone in gold plate. This is a telltale sign that it comes from either China or Taiwan.ģ. Nor is it a R&C or any of the other “boutique” brands.Ģ. It doesn’t match up to any of the remaining “big name” pro-level manufacturers, thus we know it wasn’t made by JK, Selmer, Yani, or Yamaha. Well info I’m short on, but I’ll give this hypothesis based on what we know about modern stencil horns:ġ. Balanced Action saxes had the 2 indiviudal key guards on the bell keys, while the SBA’s had them combined. BTW, it is not an SBA, but rather a BA-style horn. Usually they are a Mark VI configuration. I don’t believe I have ever seen an Asian-made sax with that type of key guard assembly before.
Thanks for your comment, and the additional photos to my email account.