Vintage King C Melody Saxophone – Silver Plate w/ Gold Wash Bell – H.N. White Cleveland
SN - 445XX
Up for sale is a vintage King C Melody saxophone manufactured by the legendary H.N. White Company in Cleveland, Ohio. These instruments were introduced in the early 20th century (circa 1916–1920) and quickly became one of the most popular saxophones for amateur musicians due to their user-friendly design and concert pitch tuning.
Unlike alto or tenor saxophones, the C Melody is pitched in the key of C, allowing players to perform directly from piano sheet music without the need for transposition. This made it a favorite for home and parlor playing during its peak popularity.
Physically, the C Melody sits between an alto and tenor saxophone in size—larger than an alto but slightly smaller than a tenor—with a longer-looking bell and classic vintage proportions.
✨ Finish & Features
- Silver-plated body
- Gold-washed bell
- Gold-colored keys (unknown if bare brass, gold plated, or gold lacquer)
- Intricate bell engraving
- Made in Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
- Classic 1920s King build quality
🔍 Condition (Honest Dealer Description)
This saxophone is being sold AS-IS and has not gone through our repair shop/bench.
- Pads are overall in decent condition, most featuring wavy metal resonators
- Right palm Db pad shows heavier wear
- We performed a quick play test:
- Played chromatically from high palm F down to low Bb
- Low D and low C are resistant, but do speak with additional air support
- The horn would benefit from a professional service or adjustment depending on your expectations
Cosmetics:
- A few dings on the neck and body
- Overall, this horn is in better physical condition than many C melodies we’ve repaired recently
- Gold wash inside the bell
- Tarnished through out including Gold bell
Key Finish Note (Important):
The keys are gold in appearance; however, we are not certain of the original factory finish. It is unclear whether:
- The keys were originally silver-plated and later stripped
- Gold plated from factory
- Lacquered or bare brass
Some darker areas at the junction of key arms and cups suggest possible prior plating removal, but we cannot confirm this definitively.
🎯 Playability Summary
This is a playing candidate with vintage character, but it is not a fully serviced instrument. It will appeal to:
- Players willing to have it adjusted
- Repair techs / hobbyists
- Collectors looking for a strong example
📦 Included
- Saxophone
❌ No case
❌ No mouthpiece
⚠️ Important Notes
- Sold AS-IS / no returns for playability
- We strongly recommend a professional setup or overhaul for optimal performance
- Photos are an accurate representation of the exact instrument you will receive
🏪 About Us
We have 23 years of experience repairing and selling saxophones, including many C Melody instruments. This example stands out as being in better physical condition than most we’ve recently serviced, making it a great candidate for restoration or continued use.