King Zephyr Alto
$935.00
Check out this 1951 Cleveland-made beauty! It’s in fantastic shape with no big dents or nasty scratches—and man, does it play like a dream. If you’re looking for that classic Zephyr sound, this is the one. It comes fully loaded with the matching neck, a Hite Premiere mouthpiece, ligature, end plug, and case. Ready to play from day one!
Out of stock
Description
The King Zephyr alto saxophone, manufactured by the H.N. White Company in Cleveland, Ohio, is a highly regarded professional vintage instrument. Introduced in 1935, it served as King’s flagship professional model until the debut of the legendary Super 20 in 1945.
Key Features & Design
The Zephyr is known for its robust construction and unique technical innovations of its era:
- Double Socket Neck: Features a sleeve-style neck joint designed for a tighter seal and enhanced resonance.
- Triple Neck Strap Ring: A signature visual and functional trait allowing players to adjust the instrument’s balance.
- Bore & Tone: It offers a big, focused sound with a rich, warm tonal quality and excellent overtones.
- Durability: Built with silver-soldered tone holes and nickel silver hinge tubes, which are more durable than standard brass.
- Art Deco Engraving: Early “Series I” models (roughly 1935–1945) often feature elaborate, crisp Art Deco designs on the bell.
Serial Numbers & Production Eras
Production spanned several decades, with the “Golden Era” typically cited between the late 1930s and late 1940s:
- Series I (1935–1945): Serial numbers ~180,000 to ~272,000. These are considered the most desirable for their “pro” features and craftsmanship.
- Zephyr Special: A high-end variant (starting ~1937, serials ~200,000+) featuring solid silver necks and mother-of-pearl inlays on all key touches.
- Series II & Later (Post-1945): After the Super 20 was introduced, the Zephyr was repositioned as a high-end intermediate or “second-tier” pro horn.
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. – 9 a couple of very small dents
- Finish (lacquer, silver plate, paint, etc.) – 8 minor wear near thumb hook and strap ring.
- Previous repairs (soldered posts, dent work, etc.) – 10 none noted
- Accessories (case, mouthpiece, etc.) – 6 Case is useable but worn
- Playability (leaks, sticky keys, etc.) – 10
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