The Story
I bought this tenor from my friend Tony at Maggini Supplies a few years ago. He had recently sold me the alto version of this and knew I would be interested. As always I’m interested in unusual vinatage instruments and this fits the description well.
The Instrument
This is a stencil branded by Selmer. It was made by Kohlert – not made by Keilwerth, Amati or Karl Meyer. It has been well played, unfortunately with gold paint applied to the worn lacquer many years ago. Consequentially it has just about the worst finish of any saxophones I’ve ever seen.
In terms of design it is consistent with the baritone and alto versions also reviewed on this site, although the left hand ‘pinky’ cluster lacks many of the pearl coverings of the alto. It is a thoroughly modern instrument with all lower keys on the right of the bell. The octave key has a stylish design.
The Player
Perhaps because I haven’t had this repadded, this doesn’t play very well. It is clunky in comparison to many of the other saxophones I’ve played and is heavy and stodgy. It is difficult to blow and has a poor ‘middly’ tone. I intend to spend more time playin ghtis in future to see how it can be improved through better restoration.
Saxifications
- Make – Selmer (Kohlert)
- Model – Pennsylvania Special
- Serial Number – 27878
- Date of Manufacture – 1938
- Place of Manufacture – Czechoslovakia
- Finish –Silver plated
- Weight – 5lb 3oz
- Sound – Poor, middly
- Ease of Blowing – Weak
- Ease of Fingering – Clunky and difficult
Do you play a Pennsylvania Special? We’realways very interested in reviewing your saxophone here – especially if you have a soprano, C Melody or other stencil versions of our reviewed here.
Filed under: Selmer Pennsylvania Special (Kohlert) Tagged: | Amati, Kohlert, Pennsylvania Special, Saximus Maximus, saxophone, Selmer, tenor saxophone
Hi I have a Pennsylvania Special tenor sax…Made in Czechoslovakia..I would dearly like to find out when this instrument was made..and it’s history..I got it from a car boot sale and paid £49.00.. including the hard case with a tin of reeds, a spare mouthpiece and a neck strap…It’s a beautiful instrument with a big sound..I guess it would also be good to know it’s current worth so any info you have please send me..Thanks..
Ray
Thanks for the comment
It’s worth a lot more than you paid. Send me a picture and I’ll try to tell you more. I’m particularly interested in the serial number and whether it looks like the one above. Also check out our reviews of the PS alto and bari on the site.
Best
Martin Martin_Hingley@yahoo.co.uk
Hi. I bought a Pennsylvania tenor a few months ago. It plays fairly well until I attempt some of the lower notes. It has been repadded fairly recently but needs setting up properly. I have no knowledge of the history of the horn and came across this site in my hunt for more information. I notice that there are some differences between mine and yours, probably because yours is a special and mine isn’t. I’m happy to send you some photos when I get a chance.
Yes, I’m havening fun with your blog, tonight.
I’m well aware that I’m quoted on Wikipedia as saying that the Selmer Pennsylvania Special horns were made by Keilwerth. As I got more pictures and serial number data, I realized I was wrong: they were made by Kohlert. The serial number data lines up perfectly. (Well, Julius Keilwerth worked for Kohlert and his early horns looked a lot like Kohlert, so my mistake is understandable.)
Your horn should have a six-digit serial number starting with “26″, “27″ or “28.” I’ve got a serial number chart at http://thesax.info/serials/kohlert.htm that’s fairly accurate. Translates to about 1935 to 1940. I’ve also talked with Helen at Bassic Sax — who knows more German makes than I do — about it and she agrees.
FWIW, Kohlert and many other manufacturers, were in an area that could easily be considered Czech or German, depending on your point of view. The town’s Graslitz (German spelling) or Kraslice (Czech spelling). It’s right over the (current) German border. I’ve seen either name stamped on Kohlert and Keilwerth instruments.
The Selmer Pennsylvania (no “Special”) is a different animal. A lot were made by a German company called Karl Meyer, however I’m sure that there were others made by other folks. Selmer usually sold these as a “step down” from their pro models.
There’s also the Selmer NY, which was usually made by Conn, and the Selmer Manhattan, which was usually made by Martin.
Amati (not “Amarti”) wasn’t around — as a saxophone maker, at least — until about 1945ish. They were primarily known for stringed instruments before that.
Pete
I’m very pleased you’ve been having fun on the site and many thanks to you and Helen for helping out on this. I’ve changed the post accordingly of course. On the back it’s marked ‘made in Czechoslavakia’ and has the ‘Best In The World’ triangle, also found on Keilwerth horns.
This example has a very worn finish and is definitely of lower quality than the alto version we’ve featured http://wp.me/pQU5Q-bC.
I’ll have a look at the alto again and see whether it’s stamped ‘made in Germany’ or not. If it is it might throw the cat amongst the pigeons.
Best Wishes
Martin