- Vito Alto Saxophone
- Vito Tenor Saxophone Serial Numbers Chart
- Vito Tenor Saxophone Serial Numbers
- Vito Tenor Saxophone Serial Numbers Free
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE - CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY. The serial number is 247,xxx, making this one an early 'tranny', so it more closely resembles a Chu Berry. It has opposing side bell keys, fingernail file G#, etc. It simply says 'Made by C.G. Top Rated Seller. C $164.32 shipping. Research: With combined research from S. Meier, at the time of this post, we have traced about 185 LeBlanc/Vito/Beaugnier saxes from serial numbers #100-1400. Of the 185, only 29 are these 'Model 120' tenors (64 were altos 'Model 100'). Serial Number Ranges By Model. Full Serial Number Chart; Yanagisawa Serial Number Ranges By Model. Before 1980 the 3rd and 4th digit of the serial number represents the year of manufacture.
Re: Is Vito a good beginner sax?
I fully agree with you on the Selmer stance. (I know this is late, but it's a good topic) There are a million Bundy and Bundy II saxes in the world today. They sound like a sax. As far as jazz goes, you can get a sloppy sound from them. Some people find it desirable; some do not. The Mark VI, like every other Selmer in the world, is a good horn for someone to pick up cheap and learn saxophone on. I would never buy one new.
As far as Vitos, to whomever may be reading this in the future, I do very much suggest trying before buying. I picked this one up brand new in 5th grade and kept it in mint condition for years. I'm a university student now and I have been complimented by many people over the years (including several directors) on the tone quality it has. My standard C is a little on the flat side, but the alternate fingering brings it right back in tune. Of course, it's slight enough to pull in with a slight adjustment of embouchure. The appearance itself is gorgeous; a dark amber brass with a metal thumbhold on the higher models (plastic on some as well). The metal is thick, leaving me with a saxophone that has withstood a hell of a lot of life with only 3 dents; none major. I have dropped it on its side (I know. I'm a bad parent) and the keyguards and bell flare have not bent a bit. The horn is hardy and reliable. There is minimal keystick, oxidation, or discoloration. The only part where the plating has come off is the bottom bell guard. I trust the instrument to survive; but test it out first
As far as Vitos, to whomever may be reading this in the future, I do very much suggest trying before buying. I picked this one up brand new in 5th grade and kept it in mint condition for years. I'm a university student now and I have been complimented by many people over the years (including several directors) on the tone quality it has. My standard C is a little on the flat side, but the alternate fingering brings it right back in tune. Of course, it's slight enough to pull in with a slight adjustment of embouchure. The appearance itself is gorgeous; a dark amber brass with a metal thumbhold on the higher models (plastic on some as well). The metal is thick, leaving me with a saxophone that has withstood a hell of a lot of life with only 3 dents; none major. I have dropped it on its side (I know. I'm a bad parent) and the keyguards and bell flare have not bent a bit. The horn is hardy and reliable. There is minimal keystick, oxidation, or discoloration. The only part where the plating has come off is the bottom bell guard. I trust the instrument to survive; but test it out first
SOLD
Vito Alto Saxophone
This is an excellent original condition original lacquer original pads Vito “Duke” baritone saxophone, hand made in France for Vito by Beaugnier, a small factory that made horns for Leblanc, Noblet, and Vito.
Vito Tenor Saxophone Serial Numbers Chart
The build quality is excellent, and the saxophone plays very well. Serial number 19xxx means it was built in the early 1960s, which is the best era for Beaugnier, a firm whose quality and craftsmanship easily competes with Selmer, SML, and Buffet instruments- the other French professional saxophones of the era. If you have been looking for a professional quality, handmade baritone saxophone that hasn’t been beat up for less than the cost of a decent used car, read on.
Before I realized my main love was alto, I spent a long time looking for a good, affordable baritone, and this was the horn I chose. It came to me with almost all of its original pads with the exception of two palm pads. Over the year that I have owned this horn I have worked on the horn piecemeal until now it plays extremely well on all of the original pads it came with and I replaced the two non-original palm pads with pads and resonators that match the original flat metal resonators. Usually I only sell horns that I have overhauled, but given that it plays so well on its original pads- which is a desirable feature for a collector- I can sell this horn either as-is or with a fresh overhaul.
It comes with a Gard wheelie bag, which is very handy and protective even though it is a soft-ish case. Because of the dimensions of the case and the fact that it is not a hard shell, it will have to be shipped in a very large box with a lot of packing materials to keep it safe, so keep that in mind if you are buying from abroad. Inside the USA, shipping will probably be around $200. Outside it, easily double that, more if your country has shipping size restrictions and it has to go UPS.
This saxophone has one flaw- a small dent on the top turn. It is in a difficult-to-access location for dentwork, so as of yet I have not attempted a fix. The top turn may need to be unsoldered to get the dent completely removed, but it could be improved and possibly (depending on how lucky I am that day) come all the way out without needing to be unsoldered. If you would like to purchase this horn, you can direct me to leave it as-is or try to remove it- either with or without unsoldering the top turn to get to it. Your call, and we can talk about at length during the purchasing process.
Other than the dent, the horn is in extremely good shape for any saxophone, and uncommonly, almost bizarrely good shape for a baritone.
Vito Tenor Saxophone Serial Numbers
Playingwise, the horn speaks very easily and has a woody, rich tone. With a large chamber piece it could be a cello-like classical horn, or with a Berg or something similar it could have a Ronnie Cuber-like buzzy and punchy tone. Ergonomics are very good, with the only non-standard aspect being a slightly tilted and smaller than usual left hand pinky table, which I personally find to be very comfortable. If you have huge sausage-like fingers the left hand pinky table may be too small for you, but otherwise you will probably find it extremely comfortable after taking a few hours shedding low notes to get used to the placement.
I have owned and repaired several Beaugnier-built saxophones, and I find them to be a tremendous bargain. The craftsmanship is second to none, but they are not very well known which keeps the prices down very low. I will probably regret selling this horn eventually, but for now I am barely playing it and would prefer to re-invest in my business.
Vito Tenor Saxophone Serial Numbers Free
SOLD