Alexander age /serial number?

[sl...@webtv.net]

I am trying out an Alexander which seems that it might be 30 years old
or so...I cannot find a serial number..is that unusual? Can anyone help
me to date this horn? thanks,
Richard

friend

[RN Moffatt]

Alexander horns have only recently had serial numbers put on them. Mine is
about 30 years old and doesn't have a serial number.

[Alexandre Grand-Clement]

sl...@webtv.net wrote:
>
> I am trying out an Alexander which seems that it might be 30 years old
> or so...I cannot find a serial number..is that unusual? Can anyone help
> me to date this horn? thanks,
> Richard
>
> friend

You need a specialist for that I'm afraid. And the only person who can
tell for sure is the one that assembled it ..
Clues include engravings on bell and valve caps, ornamented mechanical
links, whether or not there is a 'kink' on the bell branch, if the
rotors are solid or built up, if there is a device for switching your
horn from F/Bb to Bb/F and not least bore size.

So a 103 with ornamented links, engraved bell, kink on bell branch,
built-up rotors and a bore size of approx. 11.8 mm (as opposed to todays
12.1 mm) could be from the thirties, early forties.

But age in itself shouldn't be the determining factor, if you're pleased
with it and the price is good I'd say go for it.

HTH,
Alex
--
'I like quoting myself' - A.Grand-Clement

[sl...@webtv.net]

This horn is in very good condition considering that it may be pretty
old..50 years?,perhaps..I don't know what is meant by "Kinks" in the
bell (expain,Alex,please,so that I may quote you more extensively) This
horn seems to be a really good one,my own feeling is that Alexanders and
Conn 8Ds were not meant to compete,each has a nitch,as it were, Some
who can afford the luxury might have both..some folks like the more
compact sound of the Alexander for smaller ensembles...and the bold 8D
sound when it is the appropriate to really "wail"! The Alexander horns
are not like any other make...but they are unique is some hard to define
way.
Richar

friend

[Alexandre Grand-Clement]

sl...@webtv.net wrote:
>
> This horn is in very good condition considering that it may be pretty
> old..50 years?,perhaps..I don't know what is meant by "Kinks" in the

> bell (expain,Alex,please,so that I may quote you more extensively).

Hehe, I *knew* there'd be questions ..
All right : if the bell branch (that is, the conical tubing leading from
valve assembly to bell) has a little extra bend to it, where the bell
branch is attached to the bell (close to the bell flare, a couple of
inches from where you hold your right hand) similar in fact to the
shepherd's crook on a short model cornets.

Early horns have a pronouced one, gradually getting evener, to disappear
completely on modern 103's.

[Gene Kern]

I'd also be interested in knowing how to date an Alexander.

I have one I bought used in the early 60s. Both of my sisters and my
son have played that horn. But it is now showing its age.

Still a decent horn.

Gene Kern

[sl...@webtv.net]

During the fiftys Alexander began to re-estaablish its position.No
manufacturer could stay in business for over two hundred years unless it
made top quality instruments.

Alexander a clientele of very discriminating professional musicians all
over the world. They have been entirely handmade.Only a small number
were built each year.

There Amerca there are first rate orchestra men who keep their
Alexanders,but play 8Ds for the US Sound.(as the Europeans think of it).
Recently so any makes have been building excellent horns...at a much
lower cost than the Alexander, There is no way to turn out a handmade
horn to the highest standards aad make it inexpensive.

For solo work that is demanding technically many people think that the
Alexander one of only a few horns made today.For over two hundred years
people have owned them! The factory will take the old ones and refurbish
them
to "like new"...but I'll bet this costs alot!!
Richard

friend