Does anyone know about the C-Melody Saxophone and how many there are in the world, or a really good webstie???

Question

I am an alto/bari sax player and know alot about saxophones so can someone PLEASE!!!!! help me with this!!!!
I think C Melody saxophones were only made for one year like in 1932 or something, but maby they made them before and stoped making them in 1932. But anyhow, I know they are REALLY rare.

SO DO U KNOW HOW MANY THERE ARE IN THE WORLD?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

The original plan for saxophones was to have two families, the orchestral and the band families. The band family are the ones that are played now, which are all Bb and Eb instruments. The orchestral family were keyed to the instrumental keys familiar in the orchestra C and F. Most of the orchestral family never took off, as evidenced by the lack of the C bari, and the very rare F mezzo-alto. THe only one of the family that took off was the C melody that is between an alto and a tenor. They were made for many years, and were popular because they allowed the musician to read flute or piano music without having to transpose at all. One of the big reasons they stopped making them was WWII with the metal shortages, most instruments were stopped being made, and the C melody sax never continued being made. There are TONS of C melody saxes around. There are currently about 20 of them listed on Ebay, which is pretty much what is always listed on there, so there are plenty available for purchase, and usually around $500.

Answer 2

Here's a forum that you can read everything there is to know about them.

http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=36