However, you might encounter a "stencil" – a saxophone made by a third factory (e.g., in Taiwan or China) and branded "Hanson" without Peter Hanson’s involvement. If the serial number is unusually high (e.g., HAN-001234) or the engraving looks cheaply laser-printed rather than stamped, you may have a stencil. Verify by checking the key guards—genuine Hansons use a specific curved design that is hard to duplicate.
If you cannot find a serial number, check the neck. Hanson does not put serial numbers on necks (necks are interchangeable). If the body has no number, you may have a prototype, a factory second, or a stencil horn. hanson saxophone serial numbers
: Hanson Music was established as a repair and retail business. 2003 : The first Hanson saxophones were produced. However, you might encounter a "stencil" – a
| Feature | Vintage (Chicago) | Modern (UK/China) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Non-removable (one-piece body) | Removable, standard modern neck | | Finish | Silver plate or lacquer (worn) | Clear or gold lacquer (shiny) | | Keywork | Split bell keys (LH pinky table separate) | Modern integrated pinky table (low C, B, Bb) | | Engraving | Deep, floral/Art Deco hand engraving | Laser-etched logo or no engraving | | Country stamp | "Chicago, USA" | "Designed in UK / Made in China" | If you cannot find a serial number, check the neck
Hanson saxophone serial numbers typically consist of a combination of letters and numbers. The format may vary depending on the production era, but most serial numbers follow a specific pattern. Here's a breakdown of the typical components: