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Conn Eb Contrabass Sarrusophone c.1923 This strange beast
is a contrabass Sarrusophone in Eb “New Wonder” model made by C.G. Conn
in the mid 1920s. It is played with a double reed mouthpiece similar to
that of a contra bassoon- but larger. Conn offered the Eb contrabass
Sarrusophone, model 16V, as their Eb contrabass saxophone
alternative. Conn started manufacturing these instruments in 1921
on an
initial
contract with the US Army for 148 items. Conn also offered these
instruments to the general public and it's thought they built them as
late as 1928. Conn also offered a single reed mouthpiece (based on a
modified Soprano Sax mouthpiece (see sidebar) This instrument is
inscribed:
Made by
C.G. Conn Ltd Elkhart Ind. USQMC Patd. Dec8, 1914 1119944 L.P. Eb V143 The inscription
needs some interpretation: "USQMC"
stands for the US Quartermaster
Corp which purchased almost everything for the military. While
the initial Army order was for 148 instruments, there is apparently a
Conn serial
number of #278 on record.. The Pat’d
Dec. 8, 1914 and the number 1119944
refer to the patented process of drawing the toneholes from the body -
an invention by William S. Haynes. "Eb L.P." indicates
instrument is the EEb Contrabass low pitch model (A=440). This
instrument is referred to as model 16V. V143 is the sequential serial
number with V standing for the Sarrousophone (M stood for professional
saxophones). This instrument has 16 tone holes with rolled
rims. Scroll down for a photo of the
original Conn catalog page on the sarrusophone.
The sarrusophone is
part of a family of transposing musical instruments originally patented
and placed into production by Pierre-Louis
Gautrot in Paris 1856. It was named after the French bandmaster
Pierre-Auguste Sarrus (1813-1876) who is credited with the concept of
the instrument. Its intended use (in various sizes and keys) was
to serve as a replacement for the oboe and bassoon in bands, the tones
of which lacked the carrying power needed for the outdoor band music of
that era (and to offer an alternative
to Adolph Sax’s Saxophone).
This specific
instrument once belonged to Charles W. Langstaff, a Chief Warrant
Officer and Band Director of the 112 Engineers Band US Army National
Guard Cleveland Ohio. He served from the 1930’s through WWII and ended
up in the Ernie Pyle orchestra in Tokyo after the war. His
son Al tells the story that Charles once ordered a new 'Sousaphone' for
his band,
but the clerk misspelled the item on the request form and this
'Sarrusophone' arrived! Much appreciation to Al Langstaff,
retired
trombonist
in St Pete Florida who kindly donated this amazing horn to my mini
museum! I somehow doubt whether I'll be allowed to play it at
Tuba
Christmas!
Hear a
Sarrusophone emulate a Blue Whale!
Hear Grant Green play a Charlie Mingus Clip NOTE:
This is a "before" photo of my Sarrus -
on May 9th It has been repaired, re-plated and re-assembled and now can be seen on YOUTUBE    |
