| Archive for Forum of the Saxes A saxophone forum discussing everything sax-related |
| musicalprodigy |
Best vintage alto sax?I'm thiking of getting a vintage alto sax. which is the best? i'm looking for one that's loud, projecting, and with a full, and rich tone. |
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| saxmaniac |
Bueschers are very nice. Their True Tones, and 'crats are absolutely amazing horns. :smile: | ||
| Bariman |
I would agree. The True Tones come very cheap nowadays, but I would invest in a good Aristo. Kings are good too, I like the Zephyr line the best.
Bariman |
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| acdcgraphics |
Quandry...I never thought I'd do this...But I am considering buying an old 1922 Buescher Tru Tone alto. I'd have to sell my Yamaha 23 that my parents bought me in high school, so there's some sentimental value there... I love the idea of a vintage horn, and my repairman loves Bueschers, I've tried his TH&C tenor and so I am wondering if, for the sake of my instrument collection, if I should sell my Yami. Are Bueschers of that age much harder to play? I know my Yamaha is about the easiest thing in the world, but I know it's not worth that much, and the Buescher is probably more valuable as time goes on. Any thoughts out there on my dilemma??? Thanks! Ava |
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| Bariman |
It's not that much different, but you'll definetly notice it. If your tech is really into bueschers, then he should be able to set up the horn nicely so it is easy to play. You'll of course get a different sound with the buescher, so it might be a good idea to try the horn out before you buy if at all possible. TH&C's are arguably some of the best of the bueschers, though I do favor the Aristos more. Hard to describe, but the difference is there.
It's hard giving up a good horn, I hope you make the right choice in what to do. Bariman |
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| acdcgraphics |
Thanks, Bariman...Well, that's also a reason for considering the switch. I love vintage sax sound, I'd love a mellower alto tone (not too difficult compared with my Yamaha which is very bright). What I'm thinking of doing is going for the Buescher, and if it sounds good, sell the Yamaha. If I don't like it, I'll just turn it on Ebay or maybe post it here or something and hope that I can get the price I paid back and call it even.This one is too old to have the front F altissimo key. If it doesn't, how would I get altissimo notes out??? (not that I know how to play them well now, but I do get two altissimo notes out). What would be too much to spend on this horn? The finish is about 50% it's the gold not the silver and there is a ding in the neck-- doesn't look too bad. Am I being too cheap if I offer $150? Thanks again for the help! Ava |
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| reisio |
Re: Thanks, Bariman...
There are alternate fingerings - online, even. |
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| reisio |
Re: Best vintage alto sax?
Go try some - kill two birds with one stone. |
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| Bariman |
What's the serial on the horn? Do you think the finish is Gold Plate of Lacquer. If lacquer it's probably a relac, which brings down value. Do you see any silverish tint shining through where the finish was?
Bariman |
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| acdcgraphics |
Hi, BarimanWell the serial is 950XX, which puts it in the early 20's. But all I have is a photo, so I can't tell if it's lacquer or gold plate. Would it's age/serial # help identify which finish it has??? |
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| reisio |
Call me crazy, but I figure how it plays is the only important factor. | ||
| Bariman |
ACDC: Not neccesarily. My best guess would be it's a lacquer. I'll do some research later and get back to you on price. Note: When you post a serial number, always enter the last 2-3 digits as X's to prevent fraud/horn identity theft.
R: Yes, of course, but unfortunately AC dosen't have the luxury of play testing it. Bariman |
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| reisio |
I wouldn't buy a sax I couldn't play first (or be able to return if after playing it decided it sucked). Doesn't matter if it's made of pure gold. | ||
| Bariman |
Well, if you go vintage, a lot of the time, the horn will need a overhaul/repad anyway, so most just look at the asthetic condition of an old horn.
Bariman |
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| acdcgraphics |
oldies but goodiesWhat a wild goose chase. Well, Reisio, I have had Ebay saxes go both ways, I've had to return 2 horns but the third was my keeper and I got a great deal. I also got my two clarinets off Ebay, one is really neat and I got it for a song, so I am hoping to add to my antique/playable instruments- albeit "sight unseen". I'm not a cheapskate, but I am looking for something cheap enough on Ebay so that I might keep my Yamaha -23 alto. It has sentimental value and it would be better to march with it in the community marching band than the antique I plan on finding
So, I know I have a tall order, but I'm a lucky girl and I am under no time constraints. In fact, I have some nice design projects just being completed, so if I wait, I'll have more money and less guilt about buying another horn... Sorry, another LOOOOOONG post from me. Thanks to both of you for your help in my little quest. |
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| reisio |
Watch out for relacquered horns (if you didn't know to already). They're cheaper for a reason most of the time. :p | ||
| acdcgraphics |
I am getting my old horn!!!http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7381455744I bought this one, I'm a gambler, I know, but it looked pretty good to me, a later True Tone with the front F key and crescent moon G# My repairman is a Buescher fan, and I am hoping he'll give this oldie his blessing (hopefully, the repairs it will no doubt need, it won't cost too much). Does this appear to be silver plate? I'm thinking from the tarnish, it's silver plate. Anyway, I'm excited. I kinda want to try to bring it to our first band practice of the season-- I plan on marching with my YAS-23, but I want to share!!! |
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| JPSaxMan |
It does look pretty good Ava, and I hope you can get it to how you want it with playability 
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| acdcgraphics |
Hey, JP, thanks for taking a look. I can't wait to get it and have it shined up a bit. Because I'm not a really good player, I just love the idea of keeping something in playing shape that is so old. I suppose it's better suited for classical works, but I'm not sure I'd be able to tell the difference, honestly! I'm hoping for a mellow sound, or the polar opposite of my Yamaha-- not that I dislike the brightness of my Yamaha, but I would like to have a different sound with this old guy. I love old instruments! | ||
| Bariman |
The Bueschers and Conns will indeed give you that darker sound, especially the earlier horns. The horn looks good. It's always fun to take an old tarnished horn apart and clean it up yourself before a repad and such, very rewarding. Plus, you get an intimate knowledge of how a sax is really put together.
Bariman |
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| acdcgraphics |
Scaredy cat here...Oh, my, I would be terrified to take it apart! If it means it has to wait until I can afford to have my repairman clean it up, then, that's what it will mean. In the meantime, I'll just have him get it into playable condition (if that's not too expensive). Otherwise, like my two antique clarinets that need overhauls, it will have to wait... |
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| Bariman |
It shouldn't be much more to get the horn cleaned. If your guy has a silver dip, he can do a very thorough clean in a matter of minutes with minimal hand polishing. Talk to your guy and crunch the numbers. If you didn't clean it during the repad, you would have to take it apart again later and have it readjusted- that can cost you around $50, less the cleaning fee.
Bariman |
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| furtherdefinitions |
I have two vintage horns. I own a 1954 "The Martin Alto" which is my main gigging horn. I also have a 1945 Conn 6M, silver plated with a gold bell. A killer horn. It belonged to my father who gave it to me befor he passed away, so I keep it at home for safekeeping and sentimental value. I practice a lot with it.
Anyway, either of these horns have really rich and powerful tones. You can find The Martins at real bargain prices. They are undervalued in the market place. That's a good thing, because if more players tried Martins, they would snap them up, and the prices would go up. I knew a player who tried a The Martin Tenor and immediately traded his Mark VI for it. He didn't regret it. He says it's the best tenor he's ever played. Well, I have to say that my Martin is the best alto I've ever played, right along with the Conn 6M. I've tried literally hundreds of Mark VI's, and I never could find one that matched either of my saxes for real kick-*** tone. |
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