The Magna was the top professional model produced by The Martin Band Instrument Company in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Introduced as an evolution of The Martin series, the Magna retained the company’s hallmark tonal characteristics while incorporating several modernizations aimed at competing with contemporary professional saxophones from Selmer and Conn. Available in alto, tenor, and baritone configurations, the Magna represented Martin’s final major saxophone design before the company was sold to Wurlitzer in 1961.
Mechanically, the Magna preserved Martin’s traditional straight tone holes (as opposed to rolled), soldered directly to the body—a signature feature that contributed to its robust, resonant sound. It also retained the company’s distinctive beveled tone hole design, designed to improve pad sealing and projection. The Magna added practical enhancements such as an optional high F# key, a neck strap hook with adjustable positioning, and a redesigned left-hand pinky cluster for improved ergonomics. The keywork, while not as light as some French-made instruments, was solid and precise, offering a secure feel under the fingers.
The Magna’s tone was full-bodied, dark, and powerful, with strong projection and a wide dynamic range. Like earlier Martins, it favored a rich low register and a broad, complex harmonic profile, making it popular among jazz players seeking a bold sound that could cut through ensembles. The addition of the high F# key and refinements to intonation made the Magna more versatile for modern repertoire, while still retaining the warmth and depth for which Martin saxophones were known.
Production took place in Elkhart, Indiana, in the same facility that had produced Martin instruments since the early 20th century. The Magna was built in relatively limited quantities compared to Selmer’s Mark VI or Conn’s 6M and 10M, making surviving examples less common on today’s vintage market. Its craftsmanship reflected the high standards of Martin’s final independent years, with heavy-gauge brass construction and distinctive bell engravings.
Today, the Martin Magna is highly regarded by players and collectors for its combination of traditional Martin tonal depth and mid-century design upgrades. Well-preserved examples, especially those with original lacquer or plating and the optional high F# key, are sought after both for their playing qualities and their place in the final chapter of American-made professional saxophone manufacturing before the industry’s consolidation in the 1960s.
Martin 'Magna'
The Magna was the top professional model produced by The Martin Band Instrument Company in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Introduced as an evolution of The Martin series, the Magna retained the company’s hallmark tonal characteristics while incorporating several modernizations aimed at competing with contemporary professional saxophones from Selmer and Conn. Available in alto, tenor, and baritone configurations, the Magna represented Martin’s final major saxophone design before the company was sold to Wurlitzer in 1961.
Mechanically, the Magna preserved Martin’s traditional straight tone holes (as opposed to rolled), soldered directly to the body—a signature feature that contributed to its robust, resonant sound. It also retained the company’s distinctive beveled tone hole design, designed to improve pad sealing and projection. The Magna added practical enhancements such as an optional high F# key, a neck strap hook with adjustable positioning, and a redesigned left-hand pinky cluster for improved ergonomics. The keywork, while not as light as some French-made instruments, was solid and precise, offering a secure feel under the fingers.
The Magna’s tone was full-bodied, dark, and powerful, with strong projection and a wide dynamic range. Like earlier Martins, it favored a rich low register and a broad, complex harmonic profile, making it popular among jazz players seeking a bold sound that could cut through ensembles. The addition of the high F# key and refinements to intonation made the Magna more versatile for modern repertoire, while still retaining the warmth and depth for which Martin saxophones were known.
Production took place in Elkhart, Indiana, in the same facility that had produced Martin instruments since the early 20th century. The Magna was built in relatively limited quantities compared to Selmer’s Mark VI or Conn’s 6M and 10M, making surviving examples less common on today’s vintage market. Its craftsmanship reflected the high standards of Martin’s final independent years, with heavy-gauge brass construction and distinctive bell engravings.
Today, the Martin Magna is highly regarded by players and collectors for its combination of traditional Martin tonal depth and mid-century design upgrades. Well-preserved examples, especially those with original lacquer or plating and the optional high F# key, are sought after both for their playing qualities and their place in the final chapter of American-made professional saxophone manufacturing before the industry’s consolidation in the 1960s.
