InstrumentAlto saxophone |
Instrument FamilyWind |
MakerM. Couturier |
Place MadeWestern Europe; Europe; Paris; France |
Date MadeCirca 1880 |
DescriptionTechnical description: Silver-plated keys. Curved body and crook (silver-plated brass); thread lapping for mouthpiece; wooden mouthpiece with silver-plated brass ligature. Box and screw for music card-holder.Lowest note is written B₃. No rollers. F₆ touchpiece operated by second joint of L2 rather than L1.
L0: Two simple octave keys; upper key, on crook, is attached to lower touchpiece by a 'crocodile' clip at the end of the touchpiece which fastens to a circular ring at the end of the keyhead lever.
L1: B₄; D₆; E♭₆.
L2: A₄; F₆.
L3: G₄.
L4: G♯₄; C♯₄; B₃.
R1: F₄; side B♭₄; E₆.
R2: E₄.
R3: D₄.
R4: E♭₄; C₄.
Keymount type: pillars mounted on plates.
Keyhead type: modern.
Serial number: 548.
Overall size: 660; bell diameter 113.
Sounding length: air column length without mouthpiece 952.
Bore: at proximal end of crook 12.6; at distal end of crook 24.2.
Inscription: on front of bell "M. COUTURIER / PELISSON FRERES & CIE / LYON-PARIS", also "SYSTEM GEORGE" / "548" upside-down / "BREVETE / S.G.D.G." within oval.
With case.
Repair History: Reed cap missing.
Usable pitch: Plays at A₄ = c 440 Hz.
Performance characteristics: All notes which use upper octave key are very sharp. Pads are not seating well, so that no notes below written G₄ are possible, however tone is good.
Illustration references: Campbell et al. 2004, dust jacket and p.94 Figure 3.10b. |
NotesN. Parks, 26.10.96, Aug 1991; R. Parks, 1.6.96. Melanie Piddocke, 4.12.10. |
Measurements660; bell diameter 113. |
ProvenanceGovernment allocation to the University, 1991. |
CollectionC.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection; MIMEd |
Accession Number1047 |