Martelle Alto Saxophone?

Question

I just purchased an old martelle alto saxophone that needs a little servicing, (pads, etc) I need to know the story behind the brand or the instrument. Anything would help, and if anyone could help me find parts or a website. Thank you.

Answer 1

From what I can find, I think Martelle is a Keilworth Stencil.  

Stencils are generic instruments made by one company, then sold to another company for them to stamp their name on and sell... so yours was made by Keilworth, then sold to Martelle AS a Martelle.

(I found a reference on Sax on the Web (a sax forum) for it being a stencil:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread....

I think the serial numbers still run in the Keilworth line though... so here's a chart... you can find the approximate year, and that should help you figure out its age.

http://drrick.com/Keilwerth.html

Good Luck! :)