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!
1 in 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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