But in addition, note that all but a handful of stencils are based on first-generation Low Pitch saxophones, such as the Buescher True-Tone. So there is a relatively high proportion of C Melody horns - the ultimate home saxophones. Note: Most stencils were produced during the вЂњgolden ageвЂќ of home saxophone playing, say 1915-1932. But if a horn came off the same line as, say a Buescher True-Tone or Conn New Wonder, at least you know it wasn't thrown together in a startup factory somewhere. Keep in mind that stencils usually lacked features that made the name brand versions popular, such as Conn's rolled tone holes, Buescher's Man-in-the-Moon neck brace, high F or F# keys, certain trill keys, fancy engraving, exceptional quality control etc. Stencils whose manufacturers have been misidentified and gone into the 'canon' that way.Companies that ordered different kinds of horns from different providers.Companies who changed providers every so often, depending on whoever offered the best wholesale cost at a time.You'll notice that many of the stencil names list multiple providers. Some collectors have attributed individual stencil horns to the wrong manufacturer, and the rest of us have no way of proving them wrong any more than we can prove that Bigfoot doesnвЂ™t exist.Some stencils were made (or survived) in such small quantities that they haven't shown up on anyone's radar yet.It's as complete and correct as I could make it as of January, 2014, but I'm sure that it is neither as complete or as correct as it I would like it to be: This list had been compilied by consulting several experts and generally authoritive internet sites. This page provides a list of 'stencil' names that have been reported, and the manufacturers that have been identified as producing that brand at some point in time. That said, vintage horns are an acquired taste, and their purchase is best left to folks who already play sax well, so you have some idea of what youвЂ™re getting into.

A Buescher, Martin or Conn stencil that can be restored to playability without major expense will last far longer than, say, the off-brand Chinese-made horns flooding the Internet today. Usually they had fewer features, less engraving, etc., but at least they were solid compared to offbrand horns. As explained in our article Evaluating Vintage Saxophones explains, вЂњStencilsвЂќ are vintage saxophones saxophones that were made by вЂњname brandвЂќ companies like Buescher, Martin, and Conn, but labeled for other companies.

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