Expert: Kenton Scott - 11/26/2007

Question

Hello! I have recently acquired a baritone sax for restoration. Here is the basic info on the horn:

TRIEBERT BREVETE

S.D.G.D. PARIS

LP

serial number # 10782

I am trying to date the instrument and assess its rarity. Any help would be much appreciated--presumably it was made in Paris during the late 1800's. I am also trying to assess its playability in a modern ensemble once restored.

Thank you!

Mark Drusdow  

Answer
Mark,

Woodwinds are not my area, but I am trying to do the same as you are with an antique Worcester Conn bari that I have.  

Triebert was established in 1810, and were primarily oboe makers.  However, they went into bankruptcy in 1881.  They were bought out by Gautrot and then by Couesnon.  

Couesnon used the name as a tradename into the 1930's.  And, if we were talking about a brass instrument, it was most likely made by Couesnon.  Possibly the same would apply to saxes.

One thing that indicates its ago on my Conn is that it has a "manual" (split) octave key.  That is, he has two of them, and you have to switch to the appropiate one yourself.  That might be an indication on yours.

As to playability, unlike brass instruments where with a little surgery you can adjust them.  If they were manufactured in high pitch, they can be converted to low pitch.  

But on a sax, if it was built to high pitch, there is really no way to get them to play in low pitch with proper intonation.  So, before restoring it, you may want to see if it is in low pitch.  With mine, I taped off the holes for the keys that were supposed to be closed and were either missing pads or springs.