> There is a Gautrot Eb contrabass sarrusophone for sale right now on
> eBay
> (http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1449633003).
> Looks a lot like mine, but with a better finish. I'd guess that this
> model was made later than mine (maybe 1925) as it has rollers on the
> little finger keys (although for some reason it appears not to have
> the RH1 high D alternate key).
Hi, Grant,
The high D alternate key is present on this instrument--like the Conn model,
it is operated by the right thumb and is situated on the rear. What is
unusual is that there are only two register vents, instead of the three
usually provided (it is similar to my Gautrot Eb contrabass sarrusophone
made between 1865 and 1868 with only two register vents). This would tend to
indicate a relatively early model, in spite of the rollers on the pinky keys
(which might have been inserted later?).
Regards,
Peter Koval