Size Chart - Men/Women B A D C E A. Neck Measure around the base of neck B. Bust/Chest Measure under arms around fullest part of chest C. Waist Measure around waistline, keeping tape comforable loose D. Hips/Bottom Opening Measure around the fullest part of the body at the top of the leg E. Antigua just don't answer my e-mails. The 590 would be consistent with the current numbering system but the lettering not. Anyone out there put me wise. Phil Very possible. Antigua used to stam WWX and then the number on the horns. The easiest way to tell is the serial numbers and the engraving. Antigua Winds (Student) $550 OBO. Very good used condition. Includes Selmer C. mouthpiece, Rovner cap and ligature, neckstrap, and end plug. Tenor Saxophones Selmer Paris Reference 54 (Pro) $4850 OBO. Great condition, recently serviced in our shop. Vintage matte finish. Selmer Paris Mark VI – 1973. Antigua Winds makes an entire range of different models. Some are equal to the better ones coming out of Taiwan of pro quality, relative to modern standards, and others are definitely cheaper student models. The newer ones (with a 'YS' prefix in the serial number).
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| Model | Start # | End # | ||
| VKS Models | unknown | (1900) | unknown | (1948) |
| Kohlert Models | unknown | (1949) | unknown | (1977) |
→ Full Kohlert serial number chart available. Click here to view.
German saxophone manufacturers are a bit difficult to learn about, primarily because a lot of the documentation has been destroyed either in the manufacturer's move from one part of Germany to another or in the WWII and the conversion of many of the music instrument factories over to producing war material.
This brings us to Kohlert.
Antigua Winds Serial Number Charts
A brief digression: Kohlert is NOT Köhler. Köhler was founded in Markneukirchen, Germany in 1933 by Franz Köhler. They stopped producing instruments around 1961.1
However, while the Köhler example I've seen does not look like a Keilwerth or Kohlert design, yes, there's always the possibility that Köhler did stencil some horns from either Keilwerth or Kohlert.
The similarity in names and similarity in the saxophone designs from Kohlert and Köhler throws most folks for a considerable loop. The similarity in design is not because they shared a common ancestor, but more rather because company X would produce a good design and then everyone else would copy it (this tidbit of information popped up numerous times while I researched Kohlert and Keilwerth). Matters grew more complicated after Keilwerth began producing saxophones in 1925/6: not only did Keilwerth produce stencils of their horns (of which, they branded at least one Kohlert model), but they furnished saxophone bodies to a variety of other German and Czech manufacturers which would affix their own keywork and sell the horn under a different name - sometimes with no trace of the Keilwerth mark on the horn.
However, Kohlert IS 'Vincenta (or 'V.' or 'Vizenze' or several other variants) Kohlerta Synov%uFFFD Kraslice'. This is the Czech form of Kohlert's name. There are other Anglicized/Germanized variants of the VKS label (e.g. 'V. Kohlert's Sons'), but some variant of 'Kohlert' is always listed.
Timeline
- 1840: The Kohlert Company was founded in Graslitz, Czechoslovakia by Vincenz Ferarius Kohlert2. However, he did not produce any saxophones.
- 1900/01: V.F. Kohlert dies and the ownership of the Kohlert Company is transferred to his sons, Rudolf, Daniel and Franz 3 and the company's name is changed to 'V. Kohlert's Sohne'. Kohlert produces the first German-made saxophone around this time 4.
- 1910-1916 (Approximately): Kohlert stencils saxophones for HN White (King) in the USA 5.
- 1914-1925 (Approximately): Julius Keilwerth apprentices at the Kohlert company. It is arguable if Keilwerth influences Kohlert's designs more or vice versa 6.
- 1938 (Approximately): Kohlert has become the largest German instrument maker, employing 600 craftsmen and producing an entire range of brass, woodwind and double-reed instruments 7 . Keilwerth is a distant second with 150 craftsmen and producing only saxophones.
- 1939-1945 (Approximately): WWII. Kohlert produced relatively few instruments during this time, as production was limited by the conversion of most factories to producing war materiel and the Nazi original disgust of all things Western, especially jazz. There was some limited production and some horns produced during WWII are labeled 'Reich' and are quite elaborately engraved - with Nazi regalia.
- 1945-1947: After WWII, the firm was 'nationalized' into the Amati cooperative 8 (Amati's website says the cooperative was founded in 1945 and was fully 'nationalized' by 1948 9 ) and the Kohlerts became workmen in their own factory, similar to what happened with the Keilwerth family. According to the Lein article, the Kohlert family was no longer even allowed to put their stamp on their instruments 10.
It's an unconfirmed fact that Amati used Kohlert and Keilwerth tooling in their first horns, rather than producing anything new: the first Amatis were labeled 'Toneking' - a Keilwerth model name - and had the Keilwerth 'Best in the World' logo stamped on the back. Some even used the Keilwerth serial number chart!
I'm not quite sure if Amati just decided to use Keilwerth saxophones as their template for future models, but the 'second generation' of Amati horns, such as the 'Classic Super' is fairly reminiscent of Kohlert, not Keilwerth, designs.
- 1948: The 'last' generation of the Kohlerts migrated ('evacuated' would be more accurate, according to the Lein article) to West Germany: Max Kohlert, an instrument maker, died in 1949. Kurt Kohlert, a businessman, died in 1973. Ernst Kohlert, a musician, died in 1986 or '87. None of the three brothers ever married.
After arriving in the West, Ernst worked for a short while with instrument makers near F%uFFFDrth. Shortly thereafter, the city of Winnenden provided the brothers with a former barracks (actually a wooden house) in which to establish a new workshop 11 .
- 1948/49: About forty people were employed in the Winnenden factory. At first, they only repaired instruments, mainly for the American army 12 , but resumed instrument production began in the fall of 1949 with saxophones. A new serial number chart was instituted, starting at zero 13 and the 'V. Kohlert's S%uFFFDhne' mark was dropped in favor of just 'Kohlert'.
Cybersax.com and a few miscellaneous newsgroup/forum posts also indicate that there was a Kohlert model that had beveled tone holes, like the Martin and early Couesnon horns . Considering this design is a radical departure from the standard Kohlert designs AND because Keilwerth also produced a similar design right after they fled Czechoslovakia, it's possible that either this 'new' model is either a Keilwerth design or could have been jointly developed between the two companies (there is a suggestion that the bodies were imported from the Martin company, but that's a bit of a stretch and there's nothing to corroborate this suggestion).
- 1953/54: Kohlert employed around 100 people from 1953 to 1954, with about seventy working in the 'barracks' and another thirty working at home 14 . These 'home workers' had small shops in their homes and would receive the materials, complete their part of the assembly process and return them. Several craftsmen only made saxophone bodies and even the bells and necks were made in Winnenden [sic]. The Kohlerts also employed four tool-makers whose job it was to make the tools and apparati used in the factory according to the designs and needs of the instrument makers. Thus everything was done 'in house' with specially crafted tools 15 .
- 1955-1965: The two remaining Kohlert brothers, Kurt and Ernst, entered into contracts with American wholesalers 16 which guaranteed that the Kohlerts would supply instruments at the same price for ten years 17 . What the brothers didn't foresee was the onset of the 'Deutsche Wirtschaftswunder,' or 'German economic miracle', when the materials costs and wages rose dramatically. At this point they couldn't get out of these long-term commitments -- the penalty for breach of contract was severe.
Instead of specializing on a single instrument, like the Julius Keilwerth company, Kohlert continued to make the whole range of instruments - and, so the profit margin kept shrinking. Realizing they couldn't continue in this manner, Kohlert tried to cut labor costs by minimizing handwork and started mass-producing hundreds of parts. This idea didn't work and left Kohlert with a financial situation which required declaring bankruptcy in 1965 18 .
- 1966: About twenty employees continued producing instruments to meet bankruptcy obligations. Serial numbers stood at about 85,000 at the time of the bankruptcy.
- 1967: Fritz Pfannenschwarz, an industrialist from Nordheim who was interested in music as a hobby, came to Kohlert to buy a bass clarinet and was told that nothing could be sold without consulting the administrator of the bankrupt estate. He asked the price of the bankrupt firm, was told 40,000 DM and subsequently bought it. Although plans had already been drawn for a new factory, nothing had come of them and work continued in the 'barracks'. Later Pfannenschwarz moved final assembly operations and sales to Nordheim, concentrating on flutes, saxophones and clarinets 19 .
- 1977 (Approximately): The final line of Kohlert saxophones was discontinued and the final model name list was Popular, Regent, Star and Excelsior 20 . The best of these horns was and is considered to be fairly low quality.
- 1981-1983: Albert Moosmann, once an apprentice in the firm, his son Bernd and another partner purchased the remains of Kohlert in Winnenden. Today the name 'Bernd Moosmann' appears on the bassoons, which is what Kohlert now specializes in 21
Errata
Contrary to some Internet forums and newsgroups, I see no relation between SML and Kohlert. The connection that people use between the two companies is that both used rolled tone holes and that some Kohlert models are said to have the 'switchable' articulated G# key. Literally dozens of companies used rolled tone holes and Leblanc/Beaugnier/Vito used the switchable G#, too, and none of these have any connection to SML. Additionally, I can't really see a French manufacturer cooperating that closely with a German manufacturer around WWII (SML was founded in the late 1930's).
There has been a lot of discussion about the Kohlert model that has the fancy little letter keyguards. First of all, the letters are 'VKS', not 'JSK', and it probably stands for 'V. Kohlert's S%uFFFDhne'. The 'JSK', in this interpretation, is expanded to mean 'Julius S. Keilwerth'. I've not found any documentation that even says that Julius' middle name started with an 'S' and the mark on Keilwerth horns is 'JGK: The best in the world.'
No Kohlert feature pages were found in the database.
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Antigua 'model 3100' Tenor
- Status: SOLD
- Finish: Lacquer Body & Keys
- Serial Number: NLT030034
Factory New, with warranty card, keys, neckstrap, cork grease, wiping clothe. It even arrived to me in the original factory box. This is a rare option in the shop and I see these as a great, affordable way to get started with tenor sax. These have great ergos, high F# key, nice case. These have fast action and it is in very good condition with some bell lip repair, otherwise shiny and well-loved.
I'm sure this is similar to the one my friend bought for $2,100~, and you can find these listed from $625-1400 used. Consider that my free research disclosure. As well as this comp for the same sax for $1,324-1899 for a New one without a sax shop setup and inspection: http://www.promusicusa.com/Antigua-Winds-Tenor-Saxophone_p_231.html
Factory description:
Refined key mechanisms provide the TS3100LQ a professional look and feel at a modest price. A solid performer, the TS3100LQ is perfect for the advancing student or aspiring professional. Equipped with a high F# key for advanced literature, and adjustable thumb hook for ergonomic hand placement.
Refined key mechanisms
Refined key mechanisms provide a professional look and feel
Power-forged keys
Very durable.
PADS: Currently in factory pads that come with slight-domed metal resonators. These have lots of life left and you'll be happy with them for years.
Cosmetic Rating: 9.8 -- Factory New (one bell lip repair)
CASE: original hard case in new condition.
Antigua Winds Serial Number Chart Clarinet
Comes with 1-year tune-up warranty with WWS!
***Inspections Complete.***
Serial Number Lookup
Item #:WWS2.7E9.0E0.09051.9-C05