Paul Evette & Ernest Schaeffer bought the Buffet Crampon company in the 1880's and continued branding as Evette & Schaeffer into the 1930's. These pioneering French manufacturers made some of the finest early instruments.
During the economic let down
following WWI American instrument makers seized upon the C saxophone as a
way to promote sales outside the professional musician and student
markets. It was highly successful for around 20 years as it was easier for
novice players. It then went out of fashion as players preferred the tone
of the alto & tenor. Its a little larger than the alto, smaller
than a tenor and of course you can play from the same piece of music as
accompanying instruments such as piano. Fingering and blowing is the
same as on alto and tenor but the sound will come out in concert pitch so
there's no transposing to worry about. Nowadays the C melody sax has a
significant following with websites dedicated to the instrument.
Evette
& Schaeffer C Melody Sax
(These are photos of the
actual sax).
Sorry, now SOLD
Stamped: Buffet Crampon Paris &
engraved:
Evette & Schaeffer
Ani Mm Buffet Crampon & Co
18820 Passage du Gd Serf
Paris
25226
Most likely made in the 1920's or 30's and in remarkably good condition. Lovely dark old gold lacquer 90% intact. No dents in the body and just a few tiny ripples on the crook. We paid technician Dennis Primmett £120 to bring this sax up to scratch so it plays very nicely. Some unusual features (see photo 3rd from left): alternative low D#, C#, B & Bb keys. Nice Hento ebonite mouthpiece. Nasty case with broken handle but catches OK. If you want a C melody sax you'd be hard pushed to find a better one!
£650
incl.vat & UK mainland delivery.
A rare vintage French sax from one of the saxophone pioneers.
To order old, interesting saxes click here or better still come and visit us.