Johnny Hodges' Sax?

David Southard

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Mar 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/22/00

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I was thoroughly enjoying this CD I got from my local library: "Everybody
Knows JOHNNY HODGES." What a great CD! I was leafing through the little
booklet, and... what the heck is THAT?

Check out this picture of Johnny Hodges! What kind of sax is it??? The
bell keys are on the left. It is ornately engraved on the bell and neck.
There is a rod for what looks like a high-F# key going up the *left* side,
*in between* the left-hand D and Eb palm keys. Looks like pearls or perhaps
silver touches on the palm keys. And what's the deal with the octave-key?

I can identify most saxes by sight, but this one's new to me. Could this be
a Connquerer 26M? Later on in the booklet there's a picture of him playing
a Buescher 400.

What a nice fat tone he's got! Does anyone know about Hodges' mouthpiece
and reed setup?

Thanks for your insights!

Dave S.

David Southard

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Mar 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/22/00

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Oops... my ISP won't allow binary attachments to news messages... check out
the picture on this link:

http://www.mindspring.com/~david.southard/hodges.jpg

"David Southard" <david.s...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:8bb90d$v6u$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net...

CTurnerrv

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Mar 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/22/00

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IT is a Vito w/ the Lebanc sys abuot 1972-47

Merlin Williams

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Mar 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/22/00

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On 22 Mar 2000 22:29:54 GMT, ctur...@aol.com (CTurnerrv) wrote:

>IT is a Vito w/ the Lebanc sys abuot 1972-47

I'm pretty sure it's a Leblanc alto, but Hodges died in 1970.
Visit my site "Merlin's Mouthpiece"
http://www.netcom.ca/~merlinw
A member of the Sax Ring and the
Duke Ellington Ring.
"It ain't got that swing if it's played by a thing."

Mister Lucky

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Mar 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/23/00

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In article <grpidssn7e5eiiijc...@4ax.com>,

Merlin Williams <mer...@netcom.ca> wrote:
> On 22 Mar 2000 22:29:54 GMT, ctur...@aol.com (CTurnerrv) wrote:
>
> >IT is a Vito w/ the Lebanc sys abuot 1972-47
>
> I'm pretty sure it's a Leblanc alto, but Hodges died in 1970.

i tried flipping the image in photoshop, and it looks like a normal sax
to me...even if it is a vito. try it out!
bill
-----
visit <<Amazing Grace...A Tribute to Instrument Engravers>>
at http://www.scruznet.com/~cikasper/ag/amazingrace2.html

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Before you buy.

Michael LaRoche

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Mar 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/23/00

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Yes, it's definitely the Vito with the Leblanc Paris system, I have a
picture of Hodges with the same horn taken from the other side and it's
clearly one of the Leblanc system Vito's. They were actually available
prior to 1972 though, I went to high school with someone who was playing one
in 1969. Pretty good horns, not the Vito of today by any means. Good
looking horns too, lots of silver inlay in the engraving.

I'd scan the picture and post it but I don't have a website to put it on.
If anyone has iny intrest I'll email it.

Mike

"CTurnerrv" <ctur...@aol.com> wrote in message
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Mark Rybiski

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Mar 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/23/00

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I want to think that King made a Super 20 alto (maybe a Silversonic)
that had mother of pearl palm key touches along with mother of pearl on
the side key touches as well. Sounds like what I've also seen pictures
of Cannonball Adderly with too.

Mark Rybiski soul...@webtv.net
Stay on the scene like a sax machine. eFax 703-991-0871

Mitch

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Mar 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/23/00

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I dunno about flipping that. His wedding ring and lig screws are correct
in the photo as shown.

Mitch

Mister Lucky wrote:
>
> In article <grpidssn7e5eiiijc...@4ax.com>,
> Merlin Williams <mer...@netcom.ca> wrote:
> > On 22 Mar 2000 22:29:54 GMT, ctur...@aol.com (CTurnerrv) wrote:
> >

> > >IT is a Vito w/ the Lebanc sys abuot 1972-47
> >

David Southard

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Mar 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/23/00

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Michael LaRoche has definitely solved the mystery. I've uploaded his picture
on my web site:

http://www.mindspring.com/~david.southard/HodgesVito.jpg

Compare to picture of the other side from my CD:

http://www.mindspring.com/~david.southard/hodges.jpg

Also, check out Steve Goodson's picture of the LeBlanc Rationale system.
These are very similar to the Vito that Hodges is playing in the photos. Of
course, Vito is a brand owned by LeBlanc so it all makes sense.

http://www.saxgourmet.com/rationale/rationale1.gif

Any ideas on Hodges mpc/reed setup?

Also, where can I pick up some of his talent?? ;^)

Dave S.

Mitch

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Mar 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/23/00

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WOW!!!! I wonder if that VITO billboard flashes at night!

Mitch

Scott Marlowe

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Mar 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/23/00

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David Southard wrote:

> Michael LaRoche has definitely solved the mystery. I've uploaded his picture
> on my web site:
>
> http://www.mindspring.com/~david.southard/HodgesVito.jpg
>
> Compare to picture of the other side from my CD:
>
> http://www.mindspring.com/~david.southard/hodges.jpg
>
> Also, check out Steve Goodson's picture of the LeBlanc Rationale system.
> These are very similar to the Vito that Hodges is playing in the photos. Of
> course, Vito is a brand owned by LeBlanc so it all makes sense.

The first time I played my Leblanc I thought to myself, wow, this thing sounds
a lot like Johnny Hodges, sweet and singing. I've seen a few no-makeup Vitos
just like his going ebay for $200 or so quite often. But that Vito of Hodges
looks like a Hotel Marquee!