Keilwerth 1950 Alto
$1,150.00
Check out this absolute time capsule! This 1950 West German sax looks nearly new, boasting a flawless body with no dents or scratches anywhere. The only sign of its age is some character-adding wear on the key plating. An incredible survivor in top-tier condition!
1 in stock
Description
The Keilwerth New King alto saxophone is a highly regarded vintage German instrument, known for its rich, “fat” sound, large bell, and high-quality craftsmanship, particularly from the 1950s and 60s. These versatile, professional-level horns are lauded for their unique character, often featuring rolled tone holes and robust build quality.
- Sound Profile: Known for producing a warm, powerful, and large sound, often favored by jazz musicians for its charm compared to more sterile modern horns.
- Design Evolution: The New King underwent several revisions from the pre-war period through the 1960s. Early models (Series I) often featured a microtuner neck and rolled tone holes, while later models transitioned to different tone hole styles (soldered or beveled) and updated keyguards.
- “The New King” vs. “Tone King”: These two models often share the same body tube (bore) and acoustic properties. The Tone King was generally considered the higher-end, more adorned version with features like pearl key touches and sometimes more engraving, while the New King was a slightly simplified, yet still professional, offering.
- Construction: Early post-war models are known for having soldered and beveled tone holes, similar to high-end American horns of the era.
What to Look For
- Condition: Many vintage New Kings are still in great playing condition, but keywork can be specialized, making finding experienced technicians crucial.
- Series Variations: The quality and features differ between Series I (roughly 1930s-1950s) and later series (Series III and IV). Some users find the earlier models, particularly those with rolled tone holes, more desirable.
- Alternatives: The model was frequently “stenciled,” meaning similar horns were produced under different brand names.
Player Experience
- Users find the ergonomics to be surprisingly comfortable, often comparing the feel to a mix of modern and vintage instruments.
- They are known to be “big bell beauties” that offer a great, dark tone suitable for various genres
Condition
We rate each horn’s condition. Any defects are noted here. Each criteria is on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being poor condition and 10 being perfect.
- Body (dents, deep scratches, etc.) 10 Perfect, no dents or scratches
- Finish (lacquer, silver plate, paint, etc.) 8 Body is perfect, keys have some plating wear
- Previous repairs (soldered posts, dent work, etc.) 10 None noted
- Accessories (case, mouthpiece, etc.) 8 Handle missing from case
- Playability (leaks, sticky keys, etc.) 10
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.