Forum of the Saxes

Bariman · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:16 pm Post subject:

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

_________________
Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

acdcgraphics · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 64 Location: California

What 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.
_________________
Visit me!
http://www.acdcgraphics.com
http://www.capitolpops.org
http://www.chcmb.com
http://www.myspace.com/mammaava

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

Watch out for relacquered horns (if you didn't know to already). They're cheaper for a reason most of the time. :p

acdcgraphics · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 64 Location: California

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7381455744

I 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!!!
_________________
Visit me!
http://www.acdcgraphics.com
http://www.capitolpops.org
http://www.chcmb.com
http://www.myspace.com/mammaava

JPSaxMan · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:44 pm Post subject:

It does look pretty good Ava, and I hope you can get it to how you want it with playability Cool

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

acdcgraphics · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 64 Location: California

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!
_________________
Visit me!
http://www.acdcgraphics.com
http://www.capitolpops.org
http://www.chcmb.com
http://www.myspace.com/mammaava

Bariman · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:29 pm Post subject:

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
_________________
Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

acdcgraphics · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 64 Location: California

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...
_________________
Visit me!
http://www.acdcgraphics.com
http://www.capitolpops.org
http://www.chcmb.com
http://www.myspace.com/mammaava

Bariman · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:46 pm Post subject:

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
_________________
Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

furtherdefinitions · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:39 am Post subject:

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.