Repairman's Overview: King Zephyr Special Saxophone

Saxophone repairman Matt Stohrer of www.StohrerMusic.com crawls over the finish line bleeding to deliver one last video before paternity leave, an epic fast-talking thesis on one of his favorite saxophones, the King Zephyr Special.
For more on the King Zephyr Special, see here: www.saxpics.com/king/zephyr.htm

[@alemiranda2156]

It is just amazing the amount of helpful information you provide each time on your videos. Every time I’m curious about a sax I always go to your videos. Thank you!!

[@JiveDadson]

During WWII, the company made radar parts and proximity fuses.

[@karenzagar9067]

Matt: You will be happy to know that I own a King Zephyr Special Alto in SILVER with the solid silver double socket neck and solid silver bell! It is in MINT virtually new condition (nver been overhauled...just well cared for over time) and recently underwent a fabulous action adjustment. Plays better than anything new these days. I can get you pictures if you would like. SN is 254852. Satin silver body,.no dents, scratches, etc. Just ordered two new mouthpieces (Otto Link 7* and the new Selmer Claude DeLangle MP). All Mother of Pearl key touches are in perfect condition, too. The engraving as you noted is extensive will all key cups fully engraved. Great piece of music history. I am a professional clarinetist and sax player (retired) but still play for my own pleasure. Let me know if you would liek to see any pics. Dr. Z (Lou)

[@StohrerMusic]

Yes please! Send me a bunch of them!

[@harrymix]

I don't play or even own a sax and found this video fascinating.🎵🎶🎷😉👍

[@espr7564]

Been blowing one of these for 20 years awesome horn!! Nice video Matt thankyou.

[@gchapman1965]

I had a Zephyr Special alto that had a sterling neck and bell, satin silver body, gold plated keys, pearl inlays and gold inlay on the engraving on the bell. Quite an amazing work of art and a super playing horn. It was a true closet queen. When I got it it still had the original pads and only one small ding in the bow. I would love to have another one some day.

[@StohrerMusic]

holy cow! Do you have any photos of it? I'd love to see them if you do.

[@maverickdallas1004]

I have bought a lot of stuff from Volkwein's when they were on Pittsburgh's North Side. That old building on Sandusky Street now houses the Andy Warhol Museum. They are currently located west of Pittsburgh, near the airport. I owned a King Model 615 Tenor Saxophone that I bought for $75. back in 1985 in excellent condition at a yard sale. The sound of this horn was awesome...big, bold and loud! I never really got all that good at playing other than basic stuff in the "home" key, but added a bit of variety to our band's sound on a few numbers. My main instruments at the time were the pedal steel guitar and Stratocaster. I later ended up broke and I sold this horn for $275... more than 3x what I paid for it, and the fellow who bought it was more than happy to get it for that price! He was a pro player, a big fan of King instruments who owned a Zephyr alto and knew he was getting a great instrument. I really miss that old horn and will probably never find another one like it that I can afford now!

[@joeschmo1332]

King Zephyr saxophones are awesome !!

[@lowtone9]

A Zephyr Special alto was my first horn, way back in 7th grade, 1964. The bell was silver, but I think was just plated, and of course the neck was silver. I have no idea what the serial number was. Unfortunately, there is probably a silver bell zephyr special somewhere out there that was refinished in an ugly dark laquer sometime around 1973 or 74, and later pawned for $75.

[@HungVu-vm2ml]

Great useful info. Thanks.

[@arhweehinreeverse1452]

My fathers king is so shiny and he played until he couldn’t play anymore, but it is actually so shiny. I have a hard time taking a picture of the serial number because of the reflection on it I actually thought that was the newest one because of how shiny it is however, that’s the oldest one, and apparently the most valuable

[@phooesnax]

Nice job! thanks

[@saxofof]

Hi Matt, I have an alto from 1945. Guess they are quite rare ! I would have loved to find a tenor as well, but for the moment I play a '53 Silversonic. Oh well !

[@timothylee8935]

I have a silver zephyr 1954 I wonder what the price was against a mks

[@anonymousguy7723]

I own a regular 1935 King zephyr. During the war King made fuses and radar equipment for the war effort. Conn and Buescher made altimeters. The tone holes are superior to Conn and Buescher design because they were manufactured differently ( braised tone holes ) My zephyr is from 1935 which was the first year of the King Zephyr production. The instrument has adjustable pad heights, so no felt bumpers are needed . It features thrill keys and the layout of the keys is more natural. It’s the stripped down version of the Zephyr Special.... I’ve got mine so go get yourself one. The year I wish I had was a 1938 model because it has 3 positioning for my neck strap....!!! These saxophones will destroy a Conn or Buescher if tested....

[@thinethiqqoof4884]

Anonymous random Guy wait that’s interesting as mine also is a 35 but it has three strap holes on it as well

[@reubenpompei3896]

i have a king master alto can you tell me anything about it?

[@djadams1055]

I just bought a mid to late 1950's King Zephyr Baritone sax that needs to be repadded. What type/size pads should I buy? I intend to do the work myself as I prefer to service my own sax but I need to know what to buy.

[@jonathanclark7623]

Mat, I have a martin tenor 190169. I dropped the neck and bent the octave key. I live in NYC ,do you know anyone who is good with Martins in my area. my technician retired, I need help please.

[@jazfyrski]

Another great video. Thank you! Can you confirm that you're planning a video about the Powell Silver Eagle? Boy, am I looking forward to that.

[@StohrerMusic]

I am indeed, and I'll get back around to it soon I promise.

[@JorisPosthumus]

great stuff! What are your thoughts on the SBA alto? In compare to the BA, just wondering what you think/feel about them.

[@km6206]

I wonder about how different these are from the slightly later (non-special) King Zephyrs that were made at the same time as the Super 20 like in 1949 and 1950.

[@StohrerMusic]

I believe - but am not positive - that the differences are mainly aesthetic. The 1940s Zephyrs are a very good value in vintage horns, in my opinion.

[@km6206]

@@StohrerMusic I see. I was thinking that they were becoming more like the Super 20s based on some internet comments about bore sizes. But, no one seems to be completely sure about these things, haha. You are another person I see saying how good the Zephyrs are in this decade. Which is good to know if considering a Super 20. I guess the Super 20s being more expensive than the Zephyrs of the same year might be some kind of gossipy hype that is based on some old incorrect comparison like perhaps the earliest 1930s Zephyrs vs the Super 20s.

[@arhweehinreeverse1452]

I have a king zephyr, and it was my fathers, pride and joy. Unfortunately he passed away and my mother now has no idea what to do with it. He’s trying to sell it but it’s a pretty specific market and if you don’t know anything about saxophones, it’s pretty hard to navigate. We were told that that was the most expensive are the most valuable sex is one of the three he has a selmar, but honestly, I couldn’t tell you, other than the king is a baritone because of its size I couldn’t tell if the Selmer is an alto or tenor, but I would love some advice directive on how to navigate this because my mom doesn’t know what to do with them and they’re not doing anybody any good just sitting there

[@StohrerMusic]

Send me an email, [e-mail]. I would not be a buyer myself, but I can put you in touch with some honest people that pay fair prices, or I can give you some words of advice on how to do it yourself in the wider world and maybe make more per horn, with the drawback being greater risk.

[@adamstein7302]

Looking to either buy a zephyr special or a mark VI. What are some differences in ergonomics and tone qualities?

[@Aitormenta68]

Good question!

[@gregchapman4644]

I'm not sure if I do or not. I'll check my photo albums next time I'm at the other house.

[@jenniferpeters9016]

Can you relacquer the tumb rest on a nickle sax

[@AOTV-e2k]

where i can buy a neck octaver of king zypher?

[@msimchowitz]

How would you compare the sounds of the Zephyr Special, Super 20 Silversonic, and Conn 10m?

[@kasperbolding18]

I would use my ears.

[@robertdavid4577]

Do you have any experience with pre-VolTrue Kings? I have 5 of them if you have any dealings with them. I love the fullness and richness of these Kings. I would like to discuss them if you would be open to that.

[@davephilips3969]

Thanks for all your well done videos. At about the 16:30 point in this video you were addressing intonation and suggested that Yamaha saxes have very good intonation. Could you possibly say a little more about Yamaha intonation? Do you include Yamaha student models in that evaluation? Tenors and altos? If possible what year and model does that "built in" intonation quality kick in?

[@StohrerMusic]

Seems like 62 onwards it’s across the board.

[@davephilips3969]

@@StohrerMusic How about the YTS-52?

[@AOTV-e2k]

which is great king zypher or p mauriat?

[@boobsmakemehappy1]

Im looking at a King Zephyr tenor (not Special) in pretty good condition. Would you still give that horn the same praise?

[@StohrerMusic]

I might! Some of them- the 1940s until early 1950s models- are quite nice. But of course it all depends on the condition of the particular horn you are looking at.

[@marks.6656]

+Matt Stohrer Hi Matt, Thanks so much for all of your hard work and the great sax education you share with us! With regard to the above question I just wanted to point out that I'm currently in the very blessed position of sitting on a 202xxx Zephyr and a 293xxx Super 20 Series 1A which belonged to Wilton Felder and they both seem to swap necks perfectly. So you called it on the specific Z range. I'm not sure if the Z Special would also swap perfectly because you stated the bore is different. Which is maybe why they are Special.

[@AOTV-e2k]

i have a king zypher, are you a collector?

[@That_gasser_1st_gen]

BRROOOOO my tenor is a 1918 Buescher true tone stencil FROM VOLKWEIN

[@KCNORDMANN]

was curious about the difference between this generation of zypher and the next, early 50's?

[@KCNORDMANN]

just picked up a 320xxx zypher. was pretty inexpensive.

[@Musicfreakzlive]

Hi Matt I was just wondering what your favorite tenor sax is? Thinking both sound, intonation, mechanical and so on ... Just wondered! Best,

[@michaelraymond952]

Almost 8 years later...is this still your saxophone? Did you overhaul it? Do you love it? After handling and restoring all these great horns, I’d be curious to also hear about your activities as a player. (Please forgive me if you already made a follow up video and I missed it.)

[@StohrerMusic]

I actually had to sell this to pay for medical bills and living expenses after shattering my wrist. But I recently acquired another (same model, King Zephyr Special) because it remains my favorite alto.

[@michaelraymond952]

@@StohrerMusic has it already been restored or will we see you so that? (In my opinion you deserve to have a collection of all your favorite horns.)

[@StohrerMusic]

@@michaelraymond952 I briefly showed it mid-overhaul recently while addressing another topic, but probably won't make a video since I've got one for zephyr specials already!

[@thespiritof76..]

Only comment is AAA👍🏻