Indiana Band Instrument Company (Martin) 1930-31 Tenor Saxophone w Case

Indiana Band Instrument Company (Martin) 1931 Tenor Saxophone - Serial number 7372 in "as found" condition requiring overhaul. This is a beautiful vintage silver plated tenor sax with a gold wash bell. The case is shown in the photos, appears sturdy, and original, but shows signs of use and age.

The instrument serial number 7372 was dated on Horn-u-Copia to 1931. Information on this model is rare and limited as is this instrument. Condition Overall the keys seem to work.

I did not see any mechanical issues other than those I point out. There are a few things that I found and tried to show in the photos. The upper bell pad cover guard has a slight bend. The bell has a small 1/2 ding (photo of the inside rim), obviously all the pads need to be changed, the springs checked or replaced, in general it's complete, but requires complete overhaul. In December of 1928, in order to broaden their customer base, Martin created and incorporated The Indiana Band Instrument Company.

It appears its intention was to produce and market a line of less costly instruments to include folks who could not afford the premium Martin line. The entity was wholly owned by their parent.

According to three sources i found, Martin and Indiana Instrument lines were built on the same line, by the same craftsmen that built Martin horns. Keep in mind this strategy was taken long before'student horns' were ever conceived many years later.

Martin brought older retired top-of-the-line models (with existing tooling) back to life. The Indiana horns were of excellent quality (the Indiana saxophone, for instance, was a dead ringer for the older Handcraft Standard premium horn). During war production buildup in 1942, Martin dropped the Indiana Band Instrument logo, and subsequently, labeled the horns as "INDIANA by Martin". Martin keep the serial numbers on a separate ledger for these "branded companies" so the numbers will not match standard Martin Lines. The item "Indiana Band Instrument Company (Martin) 1930-31 Tenor Saxophone w Case" is in sale since Tuesday, November 24, 2020. This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Vintage Musical Instruments\Vintage Wind & Woodwind\Band & Orchestral\Saxophones". The seller is "eprosellers" and is located in Westlake, Ohio. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Body Finish: Silver-Plated
• Body Material: Solver Plate with Gold Wash Bell
• Brand: Indiana Band instrument Company
• Bundle Description: Case and Instrument
• California Prop 65 Warning: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Custom Bundle: No
• Exact Year: 1931
• Key Finish: Silver-Plated
• Manufacturer: Martin
• Model: Low Pitch (Tenor)
• Modification Description: None
• Modified Item: No
• MPN: 7372
• Skill Level: Unknown
• UPC: Does Not Apply

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