King
Showing 101–150 of 150 results
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Full Pearls Very Good Condition Good Pads 308996
This is the Super 20 that most people want. This is the version with the more modern LH pinky (spatula) keys, but that still has ‘full pearls’ on all the key touches, double socket, solid-silver neck, and engraved bell keys. It has had a recent repad, and I just got it freshly checked out and setup, so it’s playing quite well. There aren’t many original lacquer Super 20’s from this most desirable serial range in the world. Far fewer than people realize! There are about 10x as many 5-digit Mark VI’s as there are full pearls Super 20’s.
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Gold Plated Sterling Bell 287xxx
This saxophone is sold! But click here to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Original Lacquer 349080 Fresh Overhaul Excellent!
Freshly overhauled third series King Super 20 tenor saxophone. This gets my ‘exceptionally fine player’ designation, and it deserves it. The third series Super 20’s are for folks who want a Super 20 that sounds great, but who want the keywork to feel as modern as possible. It’s quite comfortable and fast under the fingers, and it plays effortlessly. You won’t find a better King that checks all the boxes than the series III ones – they lack the side key pearls, but they gain the modern keywork, and they still have the solid silver, double-socket neck that gives the horn a lot of its characteristic tone. This horn just got a complete mechanical overhaul, so it’s just as tight and snappy and new-feeling as can be. It was one owner, original pads before that, so this has never been messed with, and it plays great now and is ready for its next several decades of music making. If you want a tenor that is powerful, full-throated, projecting, and not too bright, but not very dark either, that’s what a Super 20 does really well. The upper register projects a ton without getting thin like a Selmer does, and the low register shakes the walls. Plus the price is the same as you pay for a Yamaha EX and only a little higher than the boutique Taiwanese horns now go for, which is kind of wild.
Only one available!
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Original Lacquer Amazing Condition 297xxx
This is a 1948 King Super 20 tenor saxophone with ‘full pearls’ on the side keys, G#, octave key, and palm keys, as well as on the rest of the key touches. The pearls, solid silver neck, double socket neck tenon, and fancier engraving mark this out as being the deluxe version of the Super 20 that sells for more and that is highly coveted by players for its beauty and unbeatable tone. This tenor is original lacquer, in uncommonly nice condition. This is one of the best 40’s Super 20’s that I have seen, with beautiful honey gold original lacquer.
This tenor is very clean condition mechanically. I don’t see any past dent work or any resolders or other past repairs, aside from so very small dents removed from the back of the bow area that are nearly invisible. The original solid sterling silver neck is also in excellent condition, and has not been damaged or pulled down. It has the matching serial number, as you can see, and it even has some of the original gold lacquer remaining on it! This sax was overhauled before I got it, and it plays well on the current overhaul.
The main reason to get a King Super 20 tenor saxophone is the tone. These late 40’s Super 20 tenors are big and bold and projecting while still being medium dark and very saturated and punchy. If you put on a brighter mouthpiece, like the classic Berg Larsen / King Super 20 pairing, then you get a killing sort of dark/fat/bright/projecting sound that you can’t get on any other saxophone. It’s the reason why there is such a thriving community of King Super 20 players even 70 years after horns like this one were manufactured. It’s my favorite tenor as well, out of everything that I have played.
If you’re looking for a very good professional tenor to play and enjoy that won’t back down no matter what you throw at it, that will cut through a band with ease, even without amplification, and that has the beauty of the pearls, engraving, and silver neck, then by all means, get this one. I try to keep a good selection of King Super 20 tenors around, so check them out, and email me with any questions. If you want to pair it with a new case, I can get you a great deal on a BAM that will fit it well. Just for fun, here’s a clip of Charlie Ventura playing his ’48 King Super 20 tenor. And I suspect, but cannot prove, that Sonny Rollins played Saxophone Colossus on a Super 20 much like this!
Only one available!
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Original Lacquer Full Pearls Fresh Overhaul Fantastic! 299686
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Original Lacquer Full Pearls Fresh Overhaul!
Price just lowered 6/4/19! This is one of the most beautiful saxophones ever produced – the King Super 20 with pearl side keys and palm keys, bell and bow key cups engraved, solid silver neck, three ring strap hook – just about as de-luxe as it gets.
But wait, there’s more! For a price lower than a new Keilwerth Shadow, or a new Selmer Reference etc, you get not only one of the best-built, most beautiful, best-sounding tenors ever made. You also get it with a fresh overhaul done by one of the most meticulous saxophone repairmen in the business – Carlo Cennamo of cennamowoodwinds.com . I have been hearing good things about Carlo’s work for a few years, but I finally got to see it earlier this year, and it is just top quality. Full mechanical rebuild including all key fitting to precise better-than-new tolerances; excellent pad work that feels dry and snappy under the fingers and makes the horn resonate its notes on its own as you close the pads; adjustment materials that make sense throughout; a carefully done neck fit for a good seal; nice, even spring tensions. This is a $1500++ overhaul and takes Carlo almost an entire work week to complete. So that’s a big deal.
The only past repair I see on this horn is a resoldered brace on the bell side that popped off on its own when the horn was disassembled. It was popped right back on and is in good shape now. This horn has obviously been babied since it was new. It has almost all of its original lacquer intact. For you King geeks out there, this is King’s ‘light’ colored lacquer advertised in its sales brochures. The dark lacquer ranges from caramel to chocolate colored and looks completely different.
This horn just sings, with a medium dark core tone that gets brighter and punchier as you push it. The solid silver neck gives you more upper partials and a bit more of a ringing focus to the sound. The whole horn comes alive as you play, and the response is particularly satisfying. If you have never played a saxophone that is actually right, then I hope that you will soon get to experience it. Low Bb is just another easy note to play, and you can play the entire low register easily at any volume, including pianissimo without losing ‘saturation’ in the sound. Basically, the horn just gets out of the way and lets you play what you want. It’s a beautiful thing.
This comes with a new BAM Classic tenor case, and you can swap that out for a different case if you want to discuss options. There’s only one available of this beautiful Super 20. Get it now!
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Original Lacquer Overhauled Exceptional
This saxophone is sold! But click here to see our current selection of tenor saxophones.This tenor is an exceptionally fine player. Includes premium overhaul and used Hiscox case. You won’t find a better playing Super 20.
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone 1957 Near Mint Original Lacquer Overhauled!
Holy cow! This is one of the nicest examples of a King Super 20 that I have had the pleasure of selling. It just got a complete overhaul! It was original pads 63 years old, when I got it, and now it’s totally fresh, clean, and completely restored. It’s awesome!
The tone of these horns is just to die for. Powerful, resonant, very loud when pushed (it goes to 11). The solid silver double socket neck gives you extra focus, and a dark core with lots of overtones. The horn overall is bright and projecting, but in a way that stays fat, like only American saxophones can. Ideal for either cutting through a band, or playing the most gorgeous ballads, this is one of my favorite saxophones of all time.
This tenor has no damage, no dents or dings, and almost all its original lacquer. The solid silver neck even looks odd to King fanatics like me because it still has its original gold lacquer over the silver, which you hardly ever see. There’s some scratching on the back of the body tube from normal use, and a couple of tiny, nearly invisible dings I got removed from the bow, but you’d never notice anyway. It’s as nice as you will ever find. And priced to sell!
The best demo of a “Series III” Super 20 that I know of can be found here. It’s one of the only cases that I have found where I heard a demo and what I consider the essence of the tone of the horn itself is front and center on display (as opposed to the mouthpiece, the player, or a bunch of other distracting noise. Listen and enjoy!
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone 1968 Original Lacquer 439538 Great Deal!
Nice, clean original lacquer King Super 20 tenor saxophone from 1968. This is an early Eastlake tenor, which means it is just about the best horn for your money that you can get in a Super 20. It’s priced to SELL! Price just lowered March 2020. The pads are old, so plan on a repad, and you will have a monster tenor that blows the walls down for a bargain price!!
Only one available!
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone 285199 Full Overhaul!
Freshly overhauled! This beautiful original lacquer King Super 20 is very hard to beat. It has a BIG, wide medium dark tone. Tons of volume – it goes to 11. The silver neck gives it some focus and zing, with some extra overtones. This horn is just asking for a bright, projecting mouthpiece, and then you just sound amazing. A nice vintage Berg, or a Guardala – lots of options here.
This horn has the rare dark ‘chocolate’ lacquer that you only see on a few full pearls Super 20 tenors. It’s just about the most gorgeous saxophone finish ever. Overhaul uses high-end medium sized, flat screw in reusable brass resonators and looks fantastic. Original case is in good condition too. It is quite rare to find an early Super 20 in this sort of condition. Well worth buying whether you play a lot or a little. I have one of these myself, and it’s in my top tenors that I have played.
Only one available.
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone Full Pearls Original Lacquer
$ 7,950This is a primo Super 20 tenor – best of the best. These are the fresh photos with a Matt Stohrer overhaul just completed. He does Super 20’s SO well. This is now the tenor that I play in the shop when I want to play a tenor. It’s fantastic.
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone Full Pearls Original Lacquer Near Mint / Exc Cond! 328628
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone Full Pearls Original Lacquer Overhauled 298321
This is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL example of a King Super 20 Tenor saxophone from 1948. It has all the features that you look for in the best Kings: solid silver, double socket neck; engraving all over; and ‘full’ pearls, meaning pearl key touches on the side keys, G# and the palm keys. I don’t think a better saxophone all-around has ever been produced. That’s why I play Kings myself. Plus this one has a recent top shelf overhaul done in California that feels just great. You want a King to be setup and overhauled by someone who knows Kings, for a player who plays Kings. And that’s what you’re getting here! I actually sold this exact horn a few years ago to a long time customer who is a great tenor player, It was entirely original factory pads when I got it. Untouched and near mint. It is now even better – still amazing cosmetically, but playing its best as well!
There are no resolders or past repairs on this Super 20, and it has beautiful original lacquer. Tonally, the 1948 Super 20 is a medium bright, powerful, projecting saxophone. It’s relatively darker than the later Super 20’s. They get very bright in the late 50’s and early 60’s. But this one is still quite powerful and focused, while sounding a bit darker and fatter than the later ones. The palm key and altissimo tone stays fat and full on a Super 20, which is one of the best things about it. Selmer tend to thin out in the upper register, but Kings stay quite strong. The low register just pops right out no problem. You can play a saturated ppp low Bb without any trouble.
You would be hard pressed to find a better example of a King Super 20 for sale anywhere right now! I have a few other serial numbers and versions coming up for sale, but none as nice as this. Whoever grabs it will have a really first rate tenor!
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone Original Lacquer Original pads Warranty Card Amazing!
Well, golly. Here’s a 1949 King Super 20 tenor in nearly immaculate condition with original pads and original guarantee bond paperwork. Holy cow.
It also has its original white mouthpiece, with original ligature and cap, and comes in its original case with the leather bell strap not only intact but supple and in good working condition. Sheesh.
This horn looks to have been played a bit by its original owner, as evidenced by some light scratching in the lacquer here and there and some light wear on the thumbhook. The solid silver necks on these horns were originally lacquered, but the lacquer typically wears off so quickly and completely most folks are not aware of this fact. The fact that the lacquer on this neck still remains at about 40%, though speckled, shows that the original owner took extremely good care of the instrument and was quite finicky with his handling. Gosh.
This Series I King Super 20 is about as fine as they come, and is collectible as-is or put a high end overhaul on it and let it sing. This horn is ready for its next steward, and at nearly 70 years old still has a couple hundred years of music making left in it, if you care for it as well as its original owner did. Goodness gracious.
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone Series III Silver Neck Overhauled 364611
Original lacquer King Super 20 tenor in great shape. This also had a recent overhaul by Aaron Barnard and plays great. It would be hard to find a nicer Super 20 for much less money. The ‘Series III’ Super 20’s (as we call them) come right after the ‘full pearls’ series II’s, and are different from the previous version in that they have completely upgraded keywork that feels more modern. The left hand spatula keys are now a lot more like a Selmer, and the stack keys are ergonomically easier too. The tone is much the same as a Series II. Still warm, complex, powerful, fat in the upper register and super projecting. Just slightly brighter than a Series II in my experience, though you can change that easily with mouthpiece choice. The neck is solid sterling silver and has the double socket. The Series III’s are basically like a Series II but less expensive, mostly just because you don’t have the side key pearls. Same quality build and tone, but for thousands of dollars less. That makes this a smart buy in my opinion! Plus Aaron’s high-end overhaul is about a $1500 value and has basically no miles on it.
Only one available!
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone Silver Neck 411xxx
This saxophone is sold! But click here to see our current selection of tenor saxophones.The King Super 20’s that were made in Cleveland (like this) are the most desirable type among most players and collectors. (As a side note, the early Eastlake horns can also be very good.) This one is original lacquer at about 95% with some minor play wear on the back of the body. The Super 20 is a classic jazz tenor. And this is a great vintage for getting a good horn for a good price. It has a nice, medium bright tone that can easily cut through with the right mouthpiece. It’s also a versatile, do it all kind of horn for most other types of playing. Super 20’s are great tenors, and mechanically clean ones like this don’t come around that often. Most of the ones you see are beat up (and nickel keywork is really hard to straighten out if it’s been damaged) and much later than this.
-
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone Super Rare GOLD Plate Overhauled 281058
Do you like rare? Do you like awesome? Do you want to play the best? King Super 20’s are already great, but this is a super rare original gold plate example. It has a top shelf overhaul by Carlo Cennamo – mister detail-oriented himself – and it plays exceptionally well. Like, you have not played a tenor this good before. Or if you have, congratulations. It was hanging out in my collection for a couple of years, and now I’m offering it for sale for the first time. I’ll pop it back in the closet if some like-minded individual pops up, who also likes to nab the rarest of magical beasts. This is where you find them;-)
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Super 20 Tenor Very Gentle Relacquer Full Pearls Silver Neck!
$ 3,750Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Alto Silver Plated
This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones.This is a vintage Silver King Zephyr alto SN# 223xxx with double socket neck that just came in. It also has the three ring strap hook so you can change how the horn balances on the strap. It has an older repad, and the pads are still sealing. It has been mostly in the case since it was repadded several years ago, as you can tell from how little the silver has tarnished. The horn is in good condition, with nearly all of the original silver plate intact. The engraving is also nice, as is the deco bell support.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto – Super Early Serial, Unique Engraving
This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones.This horn is the earliest Zephyr Special that I can find any record of existing. It may be the first, and it is definitely one of the very first.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto 202xxx! Original Near Mint!
This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones.The Zephyr Special is one of my all-time favorite saxophones. The dark, chocolaty lacquer color, the delicate, sharp bell key engraving, tasteful pearl side keys, solid silver neck, and the TONE – it’s the total package, unlike anything else. This is one of those rare ones that comes along about once every year or two at best that is really near mint and absolutely gorgeous. It comes in the original case too. These horns are really hard to find in this kind of condition, and they are increasing in value as people realize how sweet they are.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Factory Relacquer (Looks Original) Mix of Pads Great Deal 209889
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Full Pearls Original and Beautiful!
It’s hard to take a bad photo of what is one of the most beautiful saxophones ever made. Engraving everywhere, pearls everywhere, silver neck, beautiful tone, light, flute-like action, the works. These horns are rare to see at all and especially hard to find in good condition like this. Everything about the Zephyr Special is deluxe, including the tone.
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Full Pearls Original and Beautiful!
It’s hard to take a bad photo of what is one of the most beautiful saxophones ever made. Engraving everywhere, pearls everywhere, silver neck, beautiful tone, light, flute-like action, the works. These horns are rare to see at all and especially hard to find in good condition like this. Everything about the Zephyr Special is deluxe, including the tone.
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Full Pearls Original Dark Lacquer Stunning (Old Pads) 237123
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Near Mint Condition Original and Near Pristine!
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Near Mint Good Pads! 266751
This is about as nice an original lacquer later example of a King Zephyr Special alto as I have seen. This comes from the collection of Theo Wanne. (Not the one Theo recently lost.) My main alto is a Zephyr Special, as is Matt Stohrer’s, and Theo loves and collects them as well. They are among the best sounding altos ever made, and they just do everything pretty well. The tone is warm, powerful, medium spread, and dark and velvety. Not dark like a Conn though – more focus, more projection, and more of a ringing set of overtones, where a Conn is a bit more spread and fat. It’s just an extremely pleasant tone that you get on these. Every single one I’ve ever sold has gone to a buyer who was thrilled with the sound. The keywork is not modern – it’s ‘light flute-like action’ as King described it in its original ads from the 30’s. Not heavy and snappy, but light like a flute, and fairly small amount of key travel to close a tone hole. Intonation is good with a Meyer or really whatever you want to use, though flexible compared to modern horns. You can bend notes around how you want, for better or for worse.
These are among the most beautiful saxophones ever produced as well. Hand engraving, pearls everywhere you touch, solid silver double socket neck. They’re great. And this one has almost all of its original lacquer intact, which is pretty incredible.
If you want to join the Zephyr Special club this would be a great way to do it. It’s very playable now, and still priced very affordably compared to modern altos, with a tone like nothing else!
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Original Lacquer Fresh Matt Stohrer Overhaul
$ 500It’s hard to take a bad photo of what is one of the most beautiful saxophones ever made. Engraving everywhere, pearls everywhere, silver neck, beautiful tone, light, flute-like action, the works. These horns are rare to see at all and especially hard to find in good condition like this. Everything about the Zephyr Special is deluxe, including the tone. This horn also just received a deluxe overhaul by Matt Stohrer, and it’s ready to go.
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Recent Overhaul Nice Relacquer 209139
$ 3,750 -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Saxophone 209xxx
This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones.This is a mint condition, first year, original lacquer King Zephyr Special Alto SN#209xxx with full pearls and solid silver neck. It has no dents, no dings, no resolders and 99% lacquer at least. This is about as nice as you will find for a 70+ year old horn. It comes with the mint original case and it still has all original pads as well. This horn plays well on its original pads with a medium, complex tone that is natural for jazz. I like the Zephyr Special of this era as well as the later Super 20, so it is a chance to get a great horn for a bit less money and still get something that is in uniquely great condition. It includes the original Zephyr Special mouthpiece as well.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Saxophone Full Pearls 223xxx Mint
This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Saxophone Original Gorgeous 209762
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Silver 209xxx
This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones.This is a gorgeous, original silver-plated King Zephyr Special alto SN# 209xxx. Zephyr Specials are just about my favorite altos of all time for tone and sheer joy of playing.
This horn has “full pearls” meaning that all of the side keys, octave key, and the G# have mother of pearl inlay. It also has the starburst engraving on all of the low key cups. The silver is basically all present, and the horn also has no past repairs and no damage of any kind. It has the original solid silver neck in excellent condition, and the original mouthpiece as well.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Very Good Condition Original and Gorgeous
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Alto Worn Original Gold Plate Rare!
$ 500 -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor 254xxx
This saxophone is sold! But click here to see our current selection of tenor saxophones.
This is an incredible, near mint condition King Zephyr Special tenor with full pearls and solid silver neck. This horn still has virtually all of its lacquer intact, including over the silver neck, which is ridiculously rare to see.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Excellent Condition Original Lacquer 223190 Beautiful!
As you may know if you read around on this site, I love King saxophones. Zephyr Specials and earlier Super 20’s are my favorites above all. I love the keywork, with its ‘light flutelike action’ (as King advertized it). I think it feels great to play! The tone is a special combination of medium dark, tons of power, a wide sound with a solid core, and an amazing amount of resonance in the body tube under your fingers when you push it even a little bit. And there just isn’t a more beautiful saxophone. It’s nearly impossible to take a bad photo of a Zephyr Special – the dark chocolate lacquer, the stunning key cup engraving, the key guards, the strap hook, pearls everywhere, and of course the solid silver, double-socket neck. The neck on this one even still has some original pink lacquer on it in a few places, which you seldom see. The serial numbers match on neck and body, and the only past repairs are some small dents removed from the back of the bow/body tube area that are now gone and done just right.
If you get this horn overhauled by someone like Matt Stohrer, who plays a ZS himself, you will be playing one of THE BEST tenors ever. It’s just so much fun. And in the scheme of things, as musical instruments go, this is like the price of a student cello, or an average Les Paul, or a new Taiwanese horn plus $1500. It’s kind of nuts that you can get a horn of this quality for this price.
Only one available!
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Fresh Overhaul 216xxx
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor from 1937 Original Lacquer
Is the Zephyr Special the best tenor ever made? A tone to die for, and made to be deluxe in every way that it can be, this is the vintage tenor to get. I play one much like this already, or I’d be keeping it.
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Full Pearls 266xxx Overhauled Great!
This saxophone is sold! But click here to see our current selection of tenor saxophones.Here is a beautiful original lacquer King Zephyr Special tenor 266xxx with full pearls and solid silver neck. This is the later version of the Zephyr Special that is very much like an early Super 20 tenor (silver double socket neck, full pearls, similar tone etc.) Even more than the beauty, rarity and great build quality of this horn, the tone is the main reason to buy it. Simply put, this is one of the best tenors that I have played this year, and that is saying a lot. People play vintage horns because they just sound better than anything made today. And with a good overhaul, you know that you are getting a horn that is actually playing the way that it is supposed to.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Full Pearls Fresh Matt Stohrer Overhaul Exceptional Player! 273890
This nice, clean King Zephyr Special tenor just got a complete restoration by Matt Stohrer, and is playing its best! It’s a later Zephyr Special, so it looks a little more like a King Super 20 Series 1. Both have full pearls, fancy engraving, double socket, solid silver neck etc. This one is relacquered, as you can probably tell. Not because of any damage though, just for cosmetic reasons as was the routine thing to do when you got your horn repadded back in the day. There are no dents or dings, and it feels like a brand new saxophone under the fingers. Big, powerful, medium dark tone that is fat and wide. It’s punchier than a Conn, and a little brighter when pushed, and slightly more focused. It has the full-throated upper register that is one of the best things about American tenors from the 20’s through 60’s. Doesn’t thin out or get too delicate like a 40’s or 50’s Selmer. The intonation is good. It works great with a range of mouthpieces. Response is effortless throughout. Low Bb is just another note. Matt is really really good at overhauling Kings like this. He plays a Zephyr Special himself (on alto), as do I. So you save a few thousand dollars because of the lacquer, and otherwise get one of the best playing tenors for sale anywhere or ever.
Only one available!
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Full Pearls Original Lacquer Stohrer Overhaul!
One of the finest examples of a King Zephyr Special that I have seen. Overhauled by one of the finest repairmen, and one of the finest playing vintage tenors period. Includes a nice, new case also.
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Full Pearls Silver Neck Near Mint Original Lacquer + Overhauled 254712
As I’ve said many times, the King Zephyr Special tenor is both the most beautiful vintage saxophone ever made, and one of the best sounding and most fun to play. Everything about it is deluxe and tastefully designed: Double socket, solid silver neck with a deco octave key design, delicate starburst engraving on all of the bell /bow key cups, beautiful bell engraving. You also have the extra pearls on the side keys, palm key touches, and G#, the three ring strap hook, and general styling that says “this was made when people really cared about how things were made.” The tone is gorgeous as well. It’s dark and velvety warm, but with a special combination of wideness and punch when pushed that you only find on Kings. It will shake the walls while sounding effortless and relaxed somehow. The action is easy and light under the fingers, but still plenty fast. It’s a comfortable horn to play. If you join me and many other saxophone lovers on team ‘Zephyr Special,’ I think you’ll be very happy you did. Whether this is your only tenor or just one of a small collection, it may quickly become your favorite, because it just does everything well, and it does it well in style.
This particular Zephyr Special has pads in like new condition no significant past repairs to report. It is in near mint condition, which is exceedingly, vanishingly rare for a saxophone from 1940 or so. The original ‘pink’ lacquer is still almost entirely intact on the solid silver neck, which you almost never see. The overhaul was done in NC with kangaroo leather pads and metal resonators, and the previous owner spent a ton on the overhaul having it done just so. I don’t see any odd modifications, and it feels good mechanically. Response is effortless, low register is easy, intonation is good. To me, it plays a little darker than average for a Zephyr Special. It comes in a BAM Classic case that fits it well and will keep it safe in shipping. I may have one original Zephyr Special vintage King case I can also include If you want a Zephyr Special for your collection that is in the ‘best in the world’ sort of category. I love this horn and have kept it for many years. Only one available!
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Original Lacquer 1939 223xxx
This saxophone is sold! But click here to see our current selection of tenor saxophones.The Zephyr Special is an amazingly beautiful, ornate, and fun to play saxophone. It has a sonic world all its own. Nothing sounds like a King. This horn is big, wide, resonant and loud, but it is also delicate, rich, and projecting. The neck is solid silver, which gives it extra overtones and a focused kind of darkness to the sound.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Original Lacquer 1939 229xxx
This is a gorgeous, original lacquer King Zephyr Special. These are hard to find, and nothing sounds like them. I play a ZS alto and tenor. If I ever get to help make a saxophone, it will be based on this model. It’s hard to beat.
Sell us a saxophone like this! Read the details here, or email us directly at [email protected]We pay the best prices for great saxophones.This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of tenor saxophones. -
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Original Lacquer Very Good Condition Recent Overhaul 209710
As I’ve said many times, the King Zephyr Special tenor is both the most beautiful vintage saxophone ever made, and one of the best sounding and most fun to play. Everything about it is deluxe and tastefully designed: Double socket, solid silver neck with a deco octave key design, delicate starburst engraving on all of the bell /bow key cups, beautiful bell engraving. You also have the extra pearls on the side keys, palm key touches, and G#, the three ring strap hook, and general styling that says “this was made when people really cared about how things were made.” The tone is gorgeous as well. It’s dark and velvety warm, but with a special combination of wideness and punch when pushed that you only find on Kings. It will shake the walls while sounding effortless and relaxed somehow. The action is easy and light under the fingers, but still plenty fast. It’s a comfortable horn to play. If you join me and many other saxophone lovers on team ‘Zephyr Special,’ I think you’ll be very happy you did. Whether this is your only tenor or just one of a small collection, it may quickly become your favorite, because it just does everything well, and it does it well in style.
This particular Zephyr Special has pads in great condition and no significant past repairs to report. It has some ‘honest wear’ from playing, because it plays well, but it has always been well cared-for, and it shows,. The overhaul was done through GetASax about 5 years ago, and then it just had a fresh full COA to get everything back into shape for the next 5+ years of playing. Response is effortless, low register is easy, intonation is good. It comes in a BAM Classic case that fits it well and will keep it safe in shipping. It’s one of the best horns on the site, despite not being nearly the most expensive. Fantastic horn!
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Original Near Mint 254xxx
This saxophone is sold! But click here to see our current selection of tenor saxophones.This is an incredible, near mint condition King Zephyr Special tenor with full pearls and solid silver neck. This horn still has virtually all of its lacquer intact, including over the silver neck, which is ridiculously rare to see. This Zephyr Special was made in 1941, which was a kind of pinnacle year for American saxophones. It’s rare to find any saxophone that looks this good after 73 years, and finding such a rare and desirable one is really special.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Special Tenor Silver Plate Fresh Overhaul 209714
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Tenor 299xxx
This saxophone is sold! But click here to see our current selection of tenor saxophones.The early King Zephyr saxophones were the professional model sax made by King in their day. They were succeeded by the famed Super 20, which was a development of the Zephyr’s design. This horn has the three ring strap hook, the double-socket neck, and a lot of the same keywork and feel of the best, and earliest Super 20’s. That means that you are getting a lot of horn for the money. This horn has been relacquered, and it was apparently done recently, judging by the color of the lacquer. Mechanically it is in good condition, with no evidence of any past damage or dentwork, resolders, or non-original parts. It’s a nice, relacquered Zephyr that it ready for someone to buy it and start playing jazz. After all, these are the quintessential jazz saxophone and that is what they should be playing. This horn’s pads are pretty old, but they haven’t been played much. It is being sold as-is, needing a repad to play its best. It ships in the original case which is in good condition.
-
Sold Out
King Zephyr Tenor Saxophone Original Silver Plate Excellent Condition 202108