Adolphe Sax Alto Saxophone from 1861 Rare ‘Large Bell’ Plays

Adolphe Sax (Father) Alto saxophone, first generation (large bell).

Here are the details:
{23307} [ 1861 ] Alto saxophone in E♭.
Adolphe Sax, Paris
Inscribed with monogram trademark “AS PARIS” and “Saxophone alto en mi♭ breveté / Adolphe Sax à Paris / Fteur de la Mson Milre de l’Empereur”.

This alto got restored in Germany, but is still not in top playing condition. It plays, but it would play better with more work. The restoration included new suitable pads, leveling/silver-soldering of toneholes, rebuilding a tonehole, brass repairs and adjusting the mechanics to good playability.

It is a very lovely instrument and exceptionally rare. A similar one can be found at the MET MUSEUM, see online, If you’re not aware, the Met has one of the most extensive rare musical instrument collections in the world.

It also comes with a nice mouthpiece that tunes well with the sax. And it includes the ligature (that came with the sax) with the instrument. I have tested many and this one provided for me very good response and stable intonation at A=440. It is a large chamber design similar to the ADOLPHE SAX mouthpieces, but it carries no inscription and has been opened up to a modern .080 tip.