C-melody tenor saxophone
Maker
C. G. Conn, Ltd.
Date1922 ca.
Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
ModelNew Wonder Melody model [8M]
Serial No.98212
SignedEngraved on bell: MADE BY / C. G. Conn Ltd / ELKHART-IND. / U.S.A.MarkingsEngraved on bell beneath signature text in gothic font: FEFredricks
Engraved on bottom of back side: PATD DEC 8 1914 / 1119954 / C / 98212 / L
DescriptionTwo sections: neck and body with attached bell. Split bell keys: low C# and low B keys on left side of bell, low Bb key on right side of bell. Gold plated brass. Mother-of-pearl touchpieces and rollers. Single octave key. Bis Bb key. Forked F# key. Side C key. Alternate high F key. Alternate G# trill key. "Mercedes-Benz-logo" shape keyguard on low C key. Drawn tone holes.
Register system on neck is in the shape of a snake with green "jewelled" eyes.
Engraved on bell is a winged, naked cherub sitting on the knee of a centaur (a creature with the head, arms, and torso of a man, but with the body and legs of a horse), which holds a long stick with a closed blossom (?) at the end, Centaur is a creature from Greek mythology that possesses human intelligence and speech.
Custom-made for Forrest Edward Fredriks (1900-1991) of Muncie, Indiana, whose initials are engraved on the bell: FEFredriks. Fredriks was likely an amateur musician, perhaps playing the instrument in his Methodist Church in Muncie. At least 4 other Conn saxophones with serpentine-shaped register keys (all altos) were known to have been made at about the same time as this instrument.
DimensionsTotal height straight line – 698 mm (27 7/16”)
Total height curve from above from neck to bottom – 885 mm (34 13/16”)
Total height of body straight line – 607 mm (23 7/8”)
Bell diameter – 129 mm (5 1/16”)
Height of bottom to bottom of bell – 330 mm (13”)
Height of bottom to top of bell – 392 mm (15 3/8”)
Length of neck straight line – 205 mm (8 1/16”)
Length of neck curve from above – 274 mm (10 ¾”)
Length of bell’s flare from inside bell – 21 mm (¾”)
Length of bell’s flare from outside bell – 14 mm (9/16”)
Width of bottom straight line, from key guard but not including key guard –
123 mm (4 13/16”)
Width of outside of bottom bow, from ferrule to ferrule – 270 mm (10 9/16”)
Height of mouthpiece with metal rim – 82 mm (3 3/16”)
Circumference of mouthpiece with metal rim at widest point – 90 mm (3 ½”)
Height of mouthpiece without metal rim – 87 mm (3 3/8”)
Circumference of mouthpiece without metal rim at widest point – 96 mm (3 7/16”)
Height of gold cap (on C melody mouthpiece) – 76 mm (2 15/16”)
Circumference of gold cap (on C melody mouthpiece) at widest point –
101 mm (3 15/16”)
Height of silver cap (on alto mouthpiece) – 64 mm (2 ½”)
Circumference of silver cap (on Alto mouthpiece) at widest point – 96 mm (3 7/16”)
Circumference of end plug external – 85 mm (3 5/16”)
Circumference of end plug internal – 80 mm (3 1/8”)
ProvenanceOriginal owner: attributed to Forrest Edward Fredricks (1900-1991), Muncie, Indiana. Purchased from James Baggech, 2009.
Published ReferencesBanks, Margaret Downie. "SSSSS...beware the serpentine saxophone!" _National Music Museum Newsletter_ 44, no. 3 (Fall 2020): 5,
Credit LineDe and David Knudson Fund; André P. and Kay Marcum Larson Fund, 2009
Object number14420
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