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Music is on the minds of What's it Worth readers this week. One of today's questions is about a once-famous and now nearly forgotten musician who helped create jazz. And there's a guitar in Wenatchee that not only still plays well, but also is worth quite a tidy sum.
Q. I have a signed photo of Rudy Wiedoeft. He was the premier jazz saxophonist of the '20s and the world's biggest musical star of that time. Do you know if there is any value? The photo is framed, in fine condition, of him with his saxophone. -- Wayne in Portland.
A. Popular music as we know it would be unimaginable without the contributions of Rudy Wiedoeft. In the first few decades of the 20th century, he was one of the most famous musicians in the world. Yet today, his name is practically unknown.
Wiedoeft, born to a musical family in Detroit in 1893, is widely credited with popularizing the saxophone and introducing the instrument to jazz. Players from Coleman Hawkins to Jimmy Dorsey tipped their hats to his influence. One of his pupils, Herbert P. Vallee changed his stage name to "Rudy Vallee" to honor his mentor.
An early superstar with Edison, back in the days when that company produced wax cylinder recordings, Wiedoeft's Frisco "Jass" Band laid down the first jazz tracks. The word "jass" was later changed to "jazz."
A headliner at nightclubs and concert halls in this country and Europe, he also organized the first concert dedicated to classical saxophone music, staged at New York City's Aeolian Hall in 1926.
Wiedoeft was a flamboyant showman, often appearing onstage in cowboy outfits, complete with chaps and ten-gallon hat. The audiences laughed at his antics, but thrilled to his virtuosity.
Touring with piano accompanist Oscar Levant, he wowed the critics. Famous saxophone maker Henri Selmer said, "I have never heard a saxophonist to equal Wiedoeft and I doubt if there will be any to excel him." Such accolades became routine comments.
Reportedly a hard drinker who loved a good time, he lived a short life, dying in 1940. The road and booze seemed to have taken their toll, not uncommon with popular musicians, even today.
The fact that he is hardly known today will keep the value of this nice photograph lower than an autograph from a more recognizable star. To the right collector, it might be worth between $50 and $100.
It's a nice piece of musical history, shining the spotlight once again on a forgotten star. Perhaps it belongs in a museum or jazz archive.
Q. This is a Model 000-21 Martin acoustic guitar built in 1953 that I bought new for $140. There's no major damage and it has not been subject to any repair. All parts -- except the strings -- are original. There are some scratches and a few chips to the body finish. I still play it sometimes and it sounds pretty good. Can you give me an idea of value? -- Jim in Wenatchee
A. The C. M. Martin company, headquartered in Pennsylvania, has made fine guitars and other stringed instruments since 1833. The company has always been run by the Martin family, and the current chairman is the great-great-great-grandson of the founder.
Always innovators, Martin introduced the 14-fret neck to guitars. That allows for a greater range of notes and became the industry standard.
Jim also provided us with a serial number for this guitar, important in establishing the date of manufacture. It turns out this particular instrument was made early in 1953, a short time before it was purchased. Martin made only about 6,000 guitars that year.
Market values for these guitars are driven by condition, size and who owned and played them. The larger the instrument, generally, the higher the value. Martin guitars made before World War II are considered rare and command very high prices. Martin guitars have been played by famous musicians ranging from Joan Baez to Johnny Cash. Their mid-20th century models like this flat top are coveted by collectors and musicians.
In June 2004, a 1939 Martin 000-42 guitar sold at Christies Auctions in New York for a world-record $791,500. That particular guitar was used by Eric Clapton on his MTV Unplugged appearance and most of the value was driven by the star association.
Our example is a fine guitar but won't approach that record value. At a well-advertised auction featuring stringed instruments, it should sell between $7,000 and $9,000. For insurance purposes, we'd suggest a replacement value in the $10,000 range. As musicians say, "nice ax."
