It has been called the greatest saxophone ever made, the Rolls-Royce of saxophones. Just about every major player in the world is using or has used a Selmer Mark VI at some point. Art Pepper, Tex Benecke and Louis Jordan played Martin saxophones. In the late 50's Martin released the Magna, which was basically a standard "The Martin" with sterling silver keys, and a cross on the bell, which I guess was employed to keep vampires away when you soloed. Other interesting features of the horn are improved ergonomics and an adjustable thumb-hook which moves up and down rather than side to side, which I find to be a much more practical idea than standard thumb-hooks. The most popular and sought-after of the Martin saxes is the Committee III line, which simply had "The Martin" with either Alto, Tenor or Baritone engraved on the bell. All Martin saxes that I've played have a rich, dark sound, great for jazz or blues. The tone holes on Martin saxes until the Committee II are beveled. Martin saxophones feature soldered tone holes, which add weight and resonance to the tone. They are top quality vintage horns that can be had for a bargain. Martin saxophones are sought-after collectibles, but very underrated in the vintage market, which is good for the buyer.
In 1904 he once again opened his own factory in Elkhart. The Martin company was first founded in Chicago in the 1860's, but when a fire destroyed the factory, John Henry Martin moved to Elkhart, Indiana where he became a foreman for Conn. In the 1980's, King tried to market a Super 21 model, and several prototypes were made, but the market wasn't there so it was discontinued. The Super 20 was not only used by notable jazz players like Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, James Moody and Yusef Lateef, but by many rock, blues and r&b bands of the 50's and 60's. The most popular and the most sought-after are the SilverSonic models, with sterling silver neck and bell. Later models would use the standard top octave key. They also featured an underslung octave key. Zephyr Specials and early Super 20's have elaborate engraving on the bell and keys, and pearls riveted to the key touches. The Super 20, which followed the Zephyr and which was basically a Zephyr with an improved mechanism and ergonomics is still one of the most popular vintage saxophones, with a market value second only to the Selmer Mark VI and Balanced and Super Balanced Action saxophones.
The Zephyr and the Super 20 are saxophones with big, bright sounds that are considered the epitome of a modern jazz sound. Though they made saxophones early on, it wasn't until they made the King Zephyr in the 1930's that they made any saxophones of consequence. Later on, they moved production to Eastlake, Ohio, but it is the King Cleveland made saxophones which are considered the best. King saxophones, as well as their other brass and wind instruments were manufactured by the H.N.
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