(I will address student models in detail later.). If you, Besides the sources above, there are many other ways to find used and new horns on the Internet. counterparts. Mark:  Are you sure? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, you can buy pre-owned saxophones from MMI with total confidence! Any of these saxophones models is a great place to start. Instruments are meant to be played. Seller: It has gold-colored rods. Once again, if it is done by someone who really knows what they are doing it is a perfectly acceptable repair. This vintage of Conn is excellent, and we recommend it to players who are searching for a lower-priced, professional alternative. - Andreas Eastman ETS652RL Tenor Saxophone S#115322xx $ 3,040.00 Read more; Used. Improved keywork, “fingernail file” G# key; microtuner necks; and really spectacular engraving on the Artist models (usually seen in gold plate, often with mother of pearl key touches, add 40%). Here is a link the SML section in the online museum to help you better aquaint yourself with what a good vintage SML should look like. There is strong demand for these fine instruments. It became clear that the Internet was a global market with thousands of people willing to pay lots of money for the items they were buying. If you don't see what you're looking for today, check back in a week or less, our inventory changes that quickly. Also, try a chromatic scale slowly from the lowest to the highest notes so you can check for leaking pads. Mouthpieces are a separate purchase and will be covered only briefly in this guide. Baritone $ 2800. Around 430XXX, the Super 20 was cheapened considerably: the neck changed to a conventional style; the bell key engraving eventually went away; the mother of pearl inlay was long since gone. The new model introduced by the newly reorganized company was called the "New Wonder.". Tenor $ 2400 If the person can't answer any of these questions and acts nervous, the horn may be stolen, in which case you can ask for the serial number and call the police to have them check it out. Straight soprano $2000 I once went to check out an alto and found that the guy had several mint condition sopranos, tenors, and a few sopraninos. So while student saxophones may not be quite as well built or artistic as pro horns, they get the job done, and can take you really quite far. On some horns, especially those manufactured by Martin, the tone holes are soldered on instead of drawn from the metal of the body. They have quite a cult following today, and with good reason. These transitional horns are excellent, and they lead to a tradition of later specialty horns, including the Connquerer, the 28M, and other models that offered some unique action improvements and a more vibrant timbral approach. This was the first time that a widely-distributed media revealed local pricing structures that had been previously hidden by geographic and economic diversity. If you do decide to purchase from an individual dealer, make sure you ask all of the questions up front and know where you stand if you need or want to return the instrument. With mass production, the artistic nature of producing a musical instrument is often lost. People are friendly, you can normally try the horn out, and you can often trust the store to give you an honest deal. A slightly older release than those in their current lineup, the Yamaha YAS-23 … Most pawn shops can pre-authorize a credit card for this purpose. Apparently the thief never put 2 and 2 together to figure out that it was originally my horn. When I set out to prepare a reference guide for pricing vintage horns, I did so with the clear understanding that it’s not a perfect world, and that the preparation of a perfect value guide would be impossible. One other point of importance is that every one's choices are different. While they do still make great saxophones, their prices are kind of outragous, and are higher than anyone elses. You must decide if you are a player or a collector. Bass $ 7000, COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE II THROUGH 1945 Also, these inferior horns are usually lacquered all over the body and rods, just like a professional model (recall that American, Japanese and German student models generally use silver rods with a gold-lacquered body). It is with some reservation that I bring up a pawn shop as a place to buy a saxophone. Instead, we will share our subjective experience with Conns and describe their characteristics.Vintage Conns can be broken up into several models, although many do not explicitly state the model on the sax itself. Remember that this whole guide is just our opinion. If the horn doesn't play, you don't know how it sounds, and the value should drop accordingly. When you look at the tone holes, make sure there are no pads actually touching the body of the horn, especially on the palm keys. The only down side of these horns is the action, which can be a little cumbersome compared to a modern horn, especially the Bb spatula key cluster. Tenor $ 2800 The web sites of these businesses are good places to go for the research phase of your purchase. The sax is a must in all types of music from jazz, to classical, to pop, when a smooth and bright sound is called for. The hardest part of buying a used saxophone is knowing what it is worth and what kind of condition it is in. The reality about these saxophones is that they are getting older every year and restoration is not always feasible. Mark:  Okay, what is the serial number? There seems to be more demand for the “five digit” horns, and some snobs reject the higher numbered examples. They play much better! When it comes to new professional horns, you are going to hear as much hype as truth about them. There are variances and subtleties within each model. This is a very presice method, and takes a lot of experience to really master. When was the last complete service and repad? Because saxophone is the very sensitive musical instrument to play. Selmer Mark VI Tenor Sax Original Lacquer 95% With Original Flight Case You just never know what you may turn up. Their crowning jewel is the Super 20 model, which in it's Silversonic version sports a solid sterling silver neck and bell, mother of pearl on every key, and sometimes even gold plated inlaid engraving (even on the larger key cups)! The best way to purchase a saxophone is to bring someone who knows how to play it and have them try it out. Copyright 1994 - 2021. Alto 26M $ 2800 The neck should be completely smooth with no dents. C soprano $1000 MUST have original mouthpiece!! Straight soprano $ 2000 Not only is there a wide price range, but there are also plenty of choices to be made about what age of saxophone you want. Sometimes you can't. If you have a saxophone-playing friend along, make them test every note against a tuner, and play loud and soft. Being totally honest we were kind of disapointed with the Super Action 80 Series I. 20% for gold. When looking around the tone holes, be sure and look for solder. This is the first Buffet horn you’re likely to see. From the dealers' point of view, it makes business sense to buy horns at a low price and sell at a higher price to reflect the time and money spent improving the horns and offering extra services. The Bundy and Vito both have key structures which are similar to prefessional horns (although because of this, they tend to have key problems after being played by less than careful students) and have a solid reputation as good instruments. We have tried the King Marigaux(Marigaux is the M from SML) sopranos, and they are fantastic. This discount may not apply to you as a consumer. Of course, this is The Big Daddy Rabbit With the Fuzzy Tongue. There is no way around this problem. The new saxophone also offers support, in the way of a warranty, from the factory and/or the music store where you purchased it. 400 SERIES 291XXX – 381XXX The M series was then relegated to student and intermediate model status until the series faded into oblivion. Looking at a horn when you open the case will immediately give you an impression of what kind of life the horn has lead. This is to try and make you think it is a professional model, even though it is not. The name comes from the bell engraving. They have also snatched up a lot of big name saxophone artists as endorsers along the way. A year after my horns were stolen and all but one returned, I got a call from a guy who said he had a bari that he wanted to sell. Check out our guide to choosing a saxophone to start your search or call our saxophone specialist at 1-800-926-5587 for more assistance. They support and facilitate all of the movement associated with playing the instrument. There are so many models and brands that summarizing them could take forever. Case in point, I once called on a Conn alto listed for $1000. Thanks for your article. After the mid 1950’s, the Zephyr became an intermediate model, so deduct 30%. In our opinion, this really doesn't affect the sound at all. There are lots of variations on the Martin theme, and below are the ones that I think you should consider. Selmer is really living on hype now more than anything. That being said, if a saxophone has a brandname that we haven't listed here, or you haven't ran across in your research, you should probably stay away from it. Alto $ 2000 You can buy two wonderful old Conns for what some people are asking for Selmers of the same era. Alto $1800 Lacquer is bright and brassy, or dark and coppery looking. From the Committee on, they are almost always lacquer. They’re almost always seen in satin silver. These horns are very good, and have an extremely dedicated following. This raises another possible complication of buying a used horn from a private party (and sometimes even music stores). Most also don't ensure the instrument to be in playing condition and only sell "as is" and some don't offer returns. Do you know any specific information such as manufacture date? Brown plastic resonators are also commonly used, and are a good substitute for metal resonators. That being said, if you are looking at something that isn't listed, This section could easily be an entire novel. A used saxophone is the most cost-effective option. The lacquer or plating is perfect and the pads are new. nce with Conns and describe their characteristics.Vintage Conns can be broken up into several models, although many do not explicitly state the model on the sax itself. http://www.saxophone.org/museum/saxophones/manufacturer/61. Prices may vary considerably depending upon the amount and style of engraving. Baritone $ 3400 has no chromatic F# Silver examples bring about a 20% premium; gold plate about 30% more. In closing, the best piece of advice we can give is to be as informed as possible. Sopranino $ 2100 There are dealers who use eBay exclusively to sell their instruments; so much so that they don't even bother having a web site! After this point, the horn started gaining some popularity and was sold in mass quantities. Your attitude will improve your playing more than any horn ever can. One note of caution: if the owner says "this horn belonged to...", be skeptical, unless the owner has positive proof. Most of the examples you will find will be in a satin silver finish. There are some used saxophones that cost a lot more than new ones, kind of like violin players and the Stradivarius. Lucky you! Of course there are exceptions to every rule, so don't let a bad smell turn you away until you ask some important questions about the horn and its condition. Most music stores will also rent saxophones if you would like to try one out. For players, when you go to try a horn always pack the following essential items: For non-players, you should try and examine the horn as closely as possible. Also, have the person or store send you detailed photos of the saxophone first, either through the mail or e-mail. It might not hurt to ask if the tone holes are drawn or soldered. If it is a used horn, spend some time just examining the body for damage. There are very subtle things to look for that can change the value of a horn significantly. A repair person puts a metal ball on the end of a metal rod, then slides the saxophone onto the rod. The Eb/C mechanism is genius; the articulated low C#/Bb mechanism should be on all horns. Hopefully after reading this guide, you will be better equipped to determine these important facts. MOST saxophones, up until approximately 1930, were not originally sold in lacquer. Silver plating is easy. He was asking $100, and I made a counter offer of $50 which he accepted. Prepare to break out your wallet. They should be soft, with no rips or tears, and should cover the hole completely. Whether there is any real difference in these horns is up to you, because everyone's tastes vary. Playing hundreds of these horns left us with the impression that most of the early horns (before the Mark VI) that are in good condition play very well, but sometimes they have intonation problems. Later ones have sculpted low Eb/C keys like the legendary S-1. Companies which used to put a lot of time and effort toward craftsmanship have abandoned this approach for the sake of quantity. Mark:  Okay, well thank you very much for your time. Cash In on Musical Instruments: Cash In on Musical Instruments. The sax is then pushed gently down onto the ball and rocked back and forth. Also, there should never be rust by the screws or ends of the rods. The actual market value on the horn was closer to $300. http://www.saxophone.org/museum/saxophones/manufacturer/1. These come in three flavors: New Largebore (11951 –13000); Cigar Cutter (13,000 – 17,000), and Super (17,000 – 18,700). Also some of these companies in recent years have really turned their product lines around, and are now producing very exceptional student line horns. Although Conn produced some marvelous instruments during the saxophone craze in the 1930's, they could not beat the improvements in action and feel offered by the refined Balanced Action model. I understand there were a few made with sterling silver bells. These horns are much more desirable than any of their ancestors. There is not a roundish cylindrical, serrated-looking device that sits right in front of the cork? If you see lots of solder globs on the horn, consider it a warning sign. It's just like looking for Bondo on a used car. Bass $ 7500. The key stones are usually plastic. This is a big decision when it comes to buying a saxophone. While virtually all other saxophone manufacturers have modelled their horns after vintage Selmers, Keilwerth has done something different, and offered a great altenative to the standard. He reluctantly agreed. Sopranino $3000 These are the Top Hat and Cane horns, the best of the Bueschers. Another curious repercussion of on-line auctions is the realization that some horns are not nearly as rare as dealers previously wanted us to believe. Most pro shops throughout the U.S. have a similar system to Saxquest, and will often professionally setup every horn that leaves their shop. Selmers have a rich history and mystique all their own; in fact, many players consider these horns to be the "Stradivarius" of saxophones. Tenor Super 20 $ 3400 see above commentary for adjustments Often younger students have just decided that they want to play the saxophone, and parents are left not knowing much, if anything, about what they need. And, unfortunately, some people will try to take advantage of you if you don't know what you are doing. An advanced "trick" is to play the overtones of Bb, B, C and D and compare them to their fingered counterparts. All soprano saxophonists should try one, just to hear the subtle timbral differences a curved model offers. You will grow with. Many times the seller is uninformed and misrepresenting the instrument they are selling. Alto Zephyr Spcl. A classic example of this is the Couf. There is always someone coming out with a new saxophone, and needless to say we haven't been able to try everythig. One final note about vintage Selmers that you may need to know -- just as there is an American-made Selmer today, the same was true during the 20's and 30's. They will always have snap in pads and Norton springs. Some keys are oxidized and the pads are lightly used (see photos). One note of caution: if the owner says "this horn belonged to...", be skeptical, unless the owner has positive proof. If the horn has no country of manufacture, be very wary. Dealers began greedily posting "saxophone wanted" ads in every on-line classified advertising section they could find. The soprano models usually have keywork to high G, and have “conventional” palm key layout. Compare the feel of a new horn versus an older horn. Ultimately Ebay might be best for establishing the ceiling price for a used instrument. Meanwhile there would be a player somewhere really distraught over the ordeal. Welcome to the Saxophone Buyer's Guide! A gold-plated used saxophone will probably have worn spots where silver shows through. In my case, it was multiple instruments, and there was no way they could ever be replaced. After asking a few questions, I immediately knew it was my Buescher True Tone that was stolen the year before. It has a silver key on the neck, and it's slightly brighter finish than the rest of the horn. That being said, if a saxophone has a brandname that we haven't listed here, or you haven't ran across in your research, you should probably stay away from it. When you go and look at it, you already know the basic parts of the saxophone and general problem areas, such as rods and pads. Alto $1000 These are much less expensive that vintage Selmers, and can be seen in the same relative price range a vintage Bueschers and Martins. Martin changed models fairly frequently until they settled on a model simply called "The Martin _____" where the blank is soprano, alto, tenor or baritone. It seems that there are some years that are consistently good (the 50,000 to 110,000 serial range), and after that, it is trial and error. The later examples have better intonation in the upper end than the earlier examples. The earlier models were much like earlier Yamahas, suffering from the same flaws of having soft metal; making them go out of adjustment. Yeah, it's gold all over it. Baritone $ 3100, THE MARTIN, MUSIC MAN, AND MAGNA The following sections will deal with purchasing a horn on-line in depth. In fact, many influential musicians can be found displaying their incredible talents with tenor saxophones over the past century, including Jake Clemons, Alto Reed and Sonny Rollins. Early in production, Colonel C. G. Conn sold his instrument empire to pursue politics. Certain parts of the bell may be shiny while the rest of the horn is satin finish. Anyone can now pick from hundreds of Selmer Mark VI saxophones available 24-hours a day, every day, and at reasonable prices. I’ve seen some 400 baris, but none with top hat and cane engraving or other distinctive features of this series. They were lacquered at a later date. We will try to focus on the horns which we have had personal experiences with and recommend horns which have what we consider to be significant positive characteristics. Chances are, the horn has been repaired by someone who is not qualified. The 6M alto was played by Charlie Parker and a host of other famous players, while the 10M tenor ran a close second to Selmer tenors of the day. What percentage of the finish is still intact? Use our comprehensive saxophone buying guide and learn the essentials about saxophones at Woodwind & Brasswind. P MauriatP Mauriat is a relatively newer saxophone brand that really took off around 2008. Tenor saxophones are also commonly considered to be the most versatile member of the saxophone family. Read this Guide to get a better idea of all the things you need to consider when … The Used Saxophone. That 1930 Conn alto was probably part of some swinging big band sax section back in the 40's. Baritone $ 2500 The first examples had mother of pearl key touches; sunburst engraving on the bell keys; socket necks; and optional sterling silver necks (add 15%) and sterling silver bells (add 30%). http://www.saxophone.org/museum/saxophones/manufacturer/55. The Buescher 400 or Top Hat and Cane (the early version with the silver tone ring around the bell, and top hat and cane engraving) is also an excellent horn and was played by Johnny Hodges (yes, that sweet sound was a Buescher). Neck damage can be an elusive and troublesome problem. In the world of used saxophones, a reputable dealer adds value to a used horn by fully repairing it, advertising it, and representing it. Alto $ 6100 Tenor $ 3000 Alto saxophones are the most common and popular variety of sax, and that makes them one of the best-known and most-recognized instruments anywhere in the world. As described in earlier sections, the prices reflect value added by the business. For the most part, you won't see pre-Balanced Action Selmers selling for very much money. As with any purchase, there are hazards in buying both new and used saxophones. If it is positive, is it all recent, or is it spread out over a long period of time? Here at Saxquest we strive to maintain a large inventory of top-shelf vintage and modern saxophones, from the great Selmer Mark VI of yesterday to modern makes such as P. Mauriat and Keilwerth. … Most major music stores and individual dealers offer Internet sites. These horns are very good, and have an extremely dedicated following. Apparently she was told by the local music store it was worth $1200, so she was going easy on the price. 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Generally use more rigorous materials, such as classifieds2000 and Martins very subtle things to look for 2200 $... King saxophones single instrument current production Selmers is inserted in the variations are pretty minor, mostly lacquer... Make you think it is when your instrument is often done in `` satin finish. guide when it to! Gold rush, '' a really great even sounding soprano with solid intonation a piece cork.