MARTIN HANDCRAFT COMMITTEE TENOR SAXOPHONE 1937 (#119xxx)

Dad bought this in 1947, just before he got married, and it was his main instrument from then on.

Old Martins are just beginning to get their due, having been seriously underrated for many years. They actually compare favourably with the best American or French marks. My model, often known as the "Searchlight" or "Mars Attack" tenor because of its engraving of a plane lit by searchlights over the Manhattan skyline, has soldered tone holes and solid nickel keys. The lacquer is in pretty good nick for its age, too.

Now it's been overhauled by Philip Williams at Bill Lewington's it has a wonderful easy action and a big sound that's great for rock as well as jazz. I use an Otto Link 7 STM mouthpiece and Consoli light ligature with Vandoren V16 No3 reeds, or for louder stuff a Dukoff 7 with Javas.

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