C Soprano Saxophone
Details
- Origin: Elkhart, IN, USA
- Date Made: 1917
- Maker: C. G. Conn Ltd.
- Collection: E 208
Description
Silver plate over brass body, gold wash on keys, also has cork, plastic, and metal components. Has two ligatures and covers as well. Notes on database say: tarnished. On bell: “U.S.N/GREAT LAKES/15505/MADE BY/C G Conn Ltd/ELKHART/IND./LOW PITCH/40847” c. 1917. Column length: 60.5 cm. Bore: 0.9 cm. at the mouthpiece; diameter of bell: 8.1 cm. Playable condition.
This saxophone was doubtless made for a Navy band at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station near Chicago, during WWI. These instruments were mainly produced in the 1920’s, around the same time that the C melody tenor saxophone was popular. The first models were originally produced for the military to play oboe parts in marching bands.
A Conn (the company who made this instrument) advertisement from the 20’s reads: “Has a thin reedy voice, much in vogue for jazz and novelty effects.” Like the C melody tenor, it is in “concert pitch” and is therefore able to play most sheet music without having to transpose. Also like the C melody tenor, it is infamous for having unreliable intonation. The C soprano saxophone differs greatly from the Bb soprano both in physical appearance and tone. The Bb soprano is much more oboe-like and nasally, while the C soprano sounds more like a typical saxophone.
Sources
“Conn New Wonder C Soprano.” The Bassic Sax Blog, January 24, 2021. https://bassic-sax.info/blog/2020/conn-new-wonder-c-soprano/.
Tucker, Alan. “C Soprano Saxophones.” C soprano saxophones. Accessed June 16, 2022. http://www.cmelodysax.co.uk/saxophones/c-soprano.htm.
