You will find the horn that matches you; it's just a matter of trying enough horns to find the right one. Never bid on an on-line auction that does not have photos either in the listing or available through e-mail, and ask specifically for photos showing any damage or wear. $1,700.00. Mark:  Does it have a round, serrated tuner mechanism on the neck? Just be careful of brands that are made anywhere but the USA, France, Germany, Japan, and for the most part Taiwan. Chances are, the horn has been repaired by someone who is not qualified. alternative to a new horn. The Antigua Model 25 TS4348 is a good, solid horn. Keilwerth saxophones have developed a strong, devoted following, and have even stolen away many devoted Selmer players over the years. How Can I Tell What CONDITION a sax is in? But there are many pawn shops that do indeed sell all kinds of band instruments so it certainly needs mention. Unit 1 China Street, Fenton, Stoke on Trent, ST4 3NJ. These horns look and sometimes feel like professional models, but are actually student models. As always though, there are extremes, and you can hear both ends of the Includes case, neck joint, mouth piece, cleaning equipment, ambiture, and cork wax. The saxophone is comprised of two major parts: the neck and the body. The consistancy level is very high horn to horn with Keilwerth, but there are small differences in timbre, and you might find one horn that just feels a little better than another. These horns were manufactured by Buescher and sometimes Conn. Another problem found on many horns is a lack of consistency in quality from the manufacturer. 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. Yamaha has a very high level of consistency that you don't see with many other brands. Bueschers offer a more delicate and refined touch. There is no way around this problem. Obviously when purchasing over the Internet, this tactile examination is often omitted. (I will address student models in detail later.). Why should you pay X dollars for this horn when you can pay the same money and get a repadded, guaranteed instrument? 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. Common student models include the King 613 and Cleveland models, Selmer Bundy II, Evette Schaeffer, Olds Parisian, Vito, Armstrong, as well as later Buescher Aristocrats and Conn M series horns, which started as professional models. Unfortunately, some horns (as mentioned earlier) are so entwined in mystique that their value has been falsely inflated. The down side of these stores is that they rarely have expertise specific to any single instrument. Meanwhile there would be a player somewhere really distraught over the ordeal. Student models are intended to be just that. The Antigua Power Bell TS4240BG is the horn to fill that role. If you don't receive a good answer, you may want to keep looking. The SX-90R Saxophones from Keilwerth have a great feel, solid intonation, and a huge sound, but similar to Selmer it is a good idea to try and play more than one. The Series II is a much better horn, and the Series III is a good horn as well. counterparts. Make. Saxophone.org. Look for areas where the gold may be wearing off. The saxophone is a complex instrument. The more you know, the better equipped you are to do business with a music store. This section is for people who might be purchasing a saxophone for the first time. These are generally considered unplayable in modern ensembles. 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)! 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. Once again, if it is done by someone who really knows what they are doing it is a perfectly acceptable repair. The preferred places to start looking for a saxophone allow you to actually play the instrument or have someone play it for you. Don't let someone sell you a saxophone, especially a Selmer, without verifiying all of the facts first. That is why it is especially important to only purchase from reputable dealers or people who have clearly documented the positives. As with other gold rushes, the market forces in play were ultimately unsustainable. share. You know that it has the most modern mechanism available and utilizes all of the modern production techniques. By now, hopefully you have made some determinations about what you would like to look for. In general, I don't recommend the pawn shop as the place for parents to go looking for a student model saxophone for their budding young saxophone beginner. When looking around the tone holes, be sure and look for solder. The metal that the horn is, The engraving is "fuzzy" looking, or worn unevenly compared to the rest of the horn, Decorative dots or lines are faded (especially on Selmers), Overly bright appearance on an older horn, hese have been touched on before. A Taiwanise instrument manufacturer called Albest Music has recently(within the last 10 years) started putting out a saxophone brand called P Mauriat that really has kind of taken the world by storm. 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. For younger or beginning students, that can be a big deal. The reason we say most Chinese-manufactured horns is because there are some decent horns out there, but they are few and far between. While there are a lot of junk horns coming out of these countries, especially China, there are also saxophones from good to excellent quality also coming out of the … 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. Read the section on models to learn how not to be deceived by bogus or exaggerated "professional" claims. Also, have the person or store send you detailed photos of the saxophone first, either through the mail or e-mail. The trade offs are in sound, feel and appearance. Mark:  Hi, I'm calling about the sax you have advertised in the paper. You must decide if you are a player or a collector. Some of the most ugly, worn-looking horns are also the best playing horns. I called the police and they sent a plain clothes officer who purchased the stolen bari for $50, then arrested the guy. This is a big decision when it comes to buying a saxophone. This is especially true in vintage horns that fetch high prices on the national market and low prices in local markets. There is always someone coming out with a new saxophone, and needless to say we haven't been able to try everythig. It is with some reservation that I bring up a pawn shop as a place to buy a saxophone. Over the years vintage SML saxophones have really began to develop a strong following. With the advent of on-line auctions, such as eBay, there was a fantastic resurgence in the number of these saxophones available, but it has started to die off in the last couple years. You just never know what you may turn up. 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. When it gets down to it, it is not the saxophone making the music, it is you! 2020 © Antigua Winds, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The first Conn saxophones were produced in 1905 and generally had two octave keys. So if you can't afford the best and most expensive horn on the planet, try and make the best decision you can with what you have, and remember that the music is what it's all about. Seller: I bought it in high school in 1972 and it has been sitting in the case since then. Hopefully after reading this guide, you will be better equipped to determine these important facts. Also, have the person or store send you detailed photos of the saxophone first, either through the mail or e-mail. They are more likely to be plated (instead of lacquered) and have much stiffer brass. Another good brand that has come out Taiwan that has recently come across our radar is called Chateau. If there is a serial number on the neck, make sure it matches the serial number of the body. If you are on a limited budget, or are not afraid of the research and legwork involved with a used saxophone, that may be the way to go. If you've enjoyed this article or found it useful and would Also, nickel plating flakes off, instead of wearing off evenly like silver. It's actually the only part of the sax that has silver on it. Can you tell me more about it? Gold has an unmistakable yellow, muted quality to it. A common trap is for parents to blindly go to the music store and take the first offer given to them for any price. For the budding saxophonist in search of a good horn for not too much money, this horn is a logical choice. Top Student Line Saxophones to Consider:Yamaha 23Selmer BundyKing 613 or ClevelandVitoChateau. As a buyer, it's also important for you to understand that someone privately selling their old used saxophone for top dollar is selling a, In the beginning of the Internet "gold rush," a really interesting thing happened. The hardest part of buying a used saxophone is knowing what it is worth and what kind of condition it is in. As part of this project, we must state that the information here is presented only as a representation of our personal experiences and opinions. I have gotten some great deals through the paper. This is usually the friendliest place to buy a sax. We will try to focus on the horns which we have had. These horns were manufactured by Julius Keilwerth for Herb Couf and are some of the finest instruments ever made. As with any horn, a bad restoration on a vintage Selmer can ruin the instrument. They bought several of the best vintage horns, and modern horns out there, studied them, and worked to develop a great horn that players would enjoy. Which is an exact copy of the Yanagisawa S990, but for a fraction of the cost. New Selmer saxophones are not the most consistent horns out there. Dealers were forced to compete with the local-level market on the same terms as a national competitor, since the Internet provides, in one place, an equivalent and much more diverse inventory. When on-line auctions began to materialize, this became painfully eveident, and the huge disparity in prices began to equalize. A common and sad misfortune to befall necks is the "pull-down." Not so with this sax. With mass production, the artistic nature of producing a musical instrument is often lost. Plays great! With literally thousands of choices, a used horn can usually be found in your desired quality and price range. That being said, there are some great playing relacquered horns out there, and some that are done so well that it is actually really hard to tell if the horn is original or relacquered. A shop like Saxquest located in St. Louis MO, performs professional setups to every brand new saxophone they sell. (For more information, see section 9, "Purchasing a horn on-line".). Keilwerth at one time outsourced their student line ST-90 horns to China, and these are actually very well made saxophones, but you should definitely avoid that $100 Chinese made soprano that you see on Ebay. This variability and price inflation may be one of the hardest problems you'll face when you go to buy your horn. With literally thousands of choices, a used horn can usually be found in your desired quality and price range. Does the finish actually affect the tonal characteristics of the horn? Mark VIs come with a lot of hype, and they can live up to it, but you should definitely try to play several of them before you buy. You will grow with whatever instrument you have, as long as you love it and cherish it. Unless otherwise stated, all our used saxes are service and ready to go. Unfortunately, there are very few good deals to be had on Selmers, as most music stores and pawn shops know what a vintage Selmer is and how much it is worth. Student saxophone in good condition (One small dent). The market has been flooded with $2500-$3500 saxophones over the past few years. The following sections will deal with purchasing a horn on-line in depth. If I had been someone else looking at the horn, I could have easily bought it for $50 and no one would have been the wiser. The newspaper is the single best place to look for local, cheap, used horns. In fact, some players' natural body chemistry reacts with the finish of their horn and can remove finish or metal at a much faster rate. heavy-metal fan would call a 'speed-freak'. The on-line auction sites like eBay or Craigslist are great places to find a used horn, as are saxophone shops on-line like Saxquest.com. Also, try a chromatic scale slowly from the lowest to the highest notes so you can check for leaking pads. There are some exceptions to the rules listed above. The alto saxophone is always on an E flat pitch and one of the greatest things about the saxophone is the fact that the … Once again, it is always good to check out a Pro-Shop like Saxquest, because they have a ton of knowledge, and the horns they sell are guaranteed to play. Silver plating is easy. The bottom line is that you are making a significant financial decision and need to be as informed as possible to make a sensible judgment. This is just the beginning of determining what condition a saxophone is in. For the most part, you won't see pre-Balanced Action Selmers selling for very much money. 01782 323242. thesaxshack@btinternet.com. Many of their early models were downright peculiar. save hide report. Obviously when purchasing over the Internet, this tactile examination is often omitted. Also, the neck should usually have the same color of finish (there are some exceptions, such as the King Super 20 which has a silver neck) and should have matching identifying marks. 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. I have seen some really gross mouthpieces, and if a gross mouthpiece is all that's holding you back from playing that mint condition, gold-plated, 1944 Selmer Super Balanced Action, chances are you'll risk playing on an unsanitary mouthpiece just to try the horn. Great deals on Antigua Professional Saxophones. Buying horns over the Internet poses another level of complexity since you are relying on a written description or electronic photographs. Selmer also has released the Reference 36 and 54 model saxophones which are a throwback to their vintage Mark VI horns. These horns can literally do anything you want them too, but they are also vey expensive. The music store is a great place to shop because there is usually a mixture of old and new horns to choose from. So you’ve got scoured all the second hand websites and found an old relic you think you might like, you’ve driven to a residential estate on the outskirts of Bristol and you’ve got a saxophone … If pads do not completely cover the holes, the saxophone will not play properly and will be a great source of frustration for beginning and intermediate students. There are, no doubt, other considerations which I omit here. 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. Your tastes will even change as you evolve as a player. We have played Reference models that were just as good as some of the best Mark VIs, but we've also played some that were just okay, and if you are going to spend that much bread on a new Selmer it should be one of the great ones. If the horn shows some of these signs, it may not be original. The condition and the sound are the most important factors. You know this saxophone is completely ready to play and has no wear or tear on it at all. The body should be smooth and round. 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. They are truly great horns, but are they worth more than a Selmer Mark VII? Every used horn has been thoroughly gone through as well, and they are always playing in top condition. Much rarer than their Selmer counterparts, to find such a stunning example of one of the most sought-after Alto Saxophones is not an everyday … Apparently the thief never put 2 and 2 together to figure out that it was originally my horn. Your attitude will improve your playing more than any horn ever can. If it is tarnished and black, it's silver! Student models generally use more rigorous materials, such as nickel-silver rods, stronger bell braces, side-rod configurations, and heavy-duty lacquer. The patent number of the Selmer Paris Balanced Action saxophone is 2151337. Pros of buying a used saxophone: A used saxophone is the most cost-effective option. Non-specialized multi-store retail stores, or more commonly called chain stores, are (in our opinion) generally the least desirable place to purchase a used horn. Ideal firsttenor sax, plays well with good tone. This can be a real challenge for repair techs, because when the horn is heated up, sometimes the solder comes loose and the tone holes actually fall off the horn. A really great even sounding soprano with solid intonation. This saxophone is a serious contender for the player interested in consistency of action and intonation. I'm thinking about getting a used Antigua tenor sax to use as a back up when my primary tenor is in the shop. The first Conn saxophones were produced in 1905 and generally had two octave keys. A lot of the marketing of new horns depends on the mystique of their older models. Music stores can also be dangerous for buyers that are uninformed. There are some good ways to tell if a horn has been relcquered, especially for certain models. This model also kept the "tuning neck" which was found on earler models. If it is positive, is it all recent, or is it spread out over a long period of time? Selmer also offered workmanship and true hand-crafted quality that no other manufacturer could touch. The pads should always rest on top of the tone hole, and never touch the main body of the instrument! That being said, the Balanced Action and Super Balanced Action are still highly sought after, and are even sometimes preferred over the Mark VI. These are caused by the technique used to remove dents from a saxophone. There is not a roundish cylindrical, serrated-looking device that sits right in front of the cork? It has a silver key on the neck, and it's slightly brighter finish than the rest of the horn. The more horns you look at, the better equipped you will be to know exactly what you are looking at. The neck also needs to be the correct one for that horn. If you haven't read much about the history of Selmer saxophones, or read articles by sax historian Paul Cohen, you may not understand the effect that Selmer has on the professional saxophone community. Even Selmers are victim to the pricing game. 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. This is yet another case of where having someone along to try it is a good idea. You may like something completely different and unique. It's just like looking for Bondo on a used car. 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. In my case, it was multiple instruments, and there was no way they could ever be replaced. After all, it's now yours! The Used Saxophone. I had signs all over the small town advertising that I was looking for saxophones. Don't always equate vintage with good. This horn may also have some minor rod or key damage that keeps it from playing properly. 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. Older Yamahas had weak construction with rods that bent easily and came out of adjustment frequently. If you open the case and detect a foul odor and find green deposits all over the horn, chances are this horn isn't the one for you. A repair person puts a metal ball on the end of a metal rod, then slides the saxophone onto the rod. Most pawn shops are reputable, but its still the first call most police make when taking a "stolen instrument" call. The best course of action is to include recommended sources in equal stature to the other sources that you find. Seller: Yes, I'm sure. When you are first starting out, it's not the sound of the saxophone that matters, it's how it looks. It plays remarkably in tune with a very comfortable key layout. But not always. These horns were manufactured in France and the most popular models are from the 50's and 60's vintage. Skip to content. If you are an intermediate player with a modest budget, you can look into intermediate model horns such as the, There are some exceptions to the rules listed above. (This is one good reason why it is good to buy horns from a Professional Saxophone Shop like Saxquest because they will fix many of these inconsistancies.) Was: $2,795.00. These usually occur on the bow and are a result of careless players whacking the horn on a chair or other items. In our opinion, this really doesn't affect the sound at all. 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. Cons of buying a new saxophone: Buying a new saxophone can be very expensive. If you are interested in more selection than is available locally, it is highly recommended that you find a national pro shop or dealer that allows you a period of time to try the saxophone out. http://www.saxophone.org/museum/saxophones/manufacturer/13. Sometimes you can't. You must know how to ask the right questions to determine this ahead of time. Sometimes these recommendations are made with little or no consideration given to resources outside the immediate community. Brown plastic resonator                                                                                                                                          Metal resonator. Working with a dealer may be a much safer way to spend your money than private party sales, if only because as a business they are bound to a higher level of governmental and community control. The body consists of a conically shaped brass tube with posts soldered onto the body, (or plates called "ribs" attached to the body) which support rods, keys and key cups that hold leather pads to cover the holes on the body. In these all-too-common cases, you must try to determine if you can get a good enough idea about the horn to decide if you want to buy it. If the horn doesn't play, you don't know how it sounds, and the value should drop accordingly. In this instance, you probably know what you are looking for, so we'll mainly focus on choices for limited budgets. Ask if you can have it looked over by a local repair shop. These stores tend to have a good connection to the community as well as a good in-flow of used instruments. Selmers have a rich history and mystique all their own; in fact, many players consider these horns to be the "Stradivarius" of saxophones. Gerry Mulligan and Harry Carney were both notable Conn baritone players. Even professional saxophonists must deal with this problem on a daily basis. Yanagisawa also produces new sopraninos that are absolutely fabulous. Once the metal is gone, you can't go back. The lines are a result of the rocking motion used to pull the dent. There are several professional shops throughout the United States that specialize in the Saxophone, and many of them will not sell a horn without giving them a full professional setup or overhaul. A lot of newcomers to the instrument don't even think about used saxophones as an option. It is important to make a distinction between these three on-line business types, because each offers a unique set of considerations. (This is one good reason why it is good to buy horns from a Professional Saxophone Shop like Saxquest because they will fix many of these inconsistancies.). You should never really see solder unless the horn has been damaged and repaired at some time. One could suppose that the horn was modified by the person who sold the horn to the seller in 1972. As with any purchase, there are hazards in buying both new and used saxophones. surprisingly, the scriptwriters for the "Carry On" series of They are also much more affordable in comparison to the other big Saxophone manufacturers. Professional saxophones can run up to $4000 for soprano, $6000 for alto and tenor, and up to $10,000 for baritone. The finish is mainly designed for appearance, although it does have an effect on the sound of the instrument (there is a great deal of debate about this, and I will address it further later). As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of differences in the quality and manufacturing of saxophones. $55.00 shipping. There are many specific things to watch for when you bid on a saxophone (or any other item). Also some of these companies in recent years have really turned their product lines around, and are now producing very exceptional student line horns. There is another aspect to buying a used horn that is extremely important. What I did was the right thing. Brown plastic resonators are also commonly used, and are a good substitute for metal resonators. 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). Another key element in any saxophone (especially used) is the pads. Original horns will have sharp, clear engraving with solid edges and clean lines. Our recommendation is to purchase vintage Selmers from recommended dealers such as Saxquest, or one of the other Pro-Shops around the country.
Rainbow Six Siege Lost Operators Ps4, Glacier Bay Vt3322g2 Dxf File, Tri Color Corgi Coat Progression, Fallout: The Frontier Trailer, Food Texture Pack, Unfurnished Truth Meaning, Mtg Double Strike Multiple Blockers,