Slide saxophone. Nominal pitch: Probably B♭.

Mellosax

(opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)

(Note: Each icon above opens in a new tab.)

Instrument

Swanee sax

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Mellosax

Place Made

France ; Europe ; Western Europe

Date Made

Mid 20th Century

Description

Technical description: Silver-plated straight body with thread lapping for mouthpiece. One side of the tube is replaced by a strip of foam rubber with hard rubber backing. A slide varies the length of tube sealed by pressing the rubber strip down with a roller. L0: Two octave keys. Keymount type: rod / pillar keymount. Keyhead type: modern. Overall size: 620 without mouthpiece; bell diameter 93. Bore: at top 8.9. Slide length: 410, starting 110 from top. Inscription: on front of bell " ' 'MELLOSAX' ' / MADE IN FRANCE"; on back of bell "PATENTS / APPLIED FOR". With case, probably original. Repair History: Mouthpiece missing, thread lapping incomplete. Rubber strip is not sealing adequately. Keywork and proximal pillar missing from lower of two octave keys. Performance characteristics: Compass probably to Bb3; below about F4, lower octave is not obtainable; octaves are very badly out of tune when played with mouthpiece of (2439).

Notes

N. Parks, 26.10.96, 3.8.91; R. Parks, 1.6.96.

Measurements

620 without mouthpiece; bell diameter 93.

Provenance

on loan to the Collection.

Collection

MIMEd

Accession Number

2807