Lacquer

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• 

  Buescher Aristocrat 140 Alto 339934 Great Deal Original Lacquer Plays on Older Pads

  $ 850
• 

  Buescher Big B Tenor Saxophone 293523 Original Lacquer Fresh Full Overhaul Excellent!

  $ 3,500

  This is an original lacquer Buescher Aristocrat Big B tenor with the desirable small bell. It’s one of the most beautiful vintage Bueschers, with extensive engraving and gorgeously translucent, dark nitrocellulose lacquer. They don’t make them like this anymore.

  This tenor just got a full mechanical overhaul, and I mean the works! When I got it, it had new pads, but the pad work was not that good, so now it has a really great overhaul and plays excellently. The keywork is in great condition – nice and tight. The missing lacquer on the back of the bow doesn’t show when you play, and is from a small dent that was removed a bit to vigorously at some point. That is now fixed, and the rest of the horn is quite nice. Neck is in good condition also. There are no dents or dings. It is hard to find this desirable version of the vintage Buescher tenor in good shape, and this one is better than all but a few. It has the snaps and spuds intact, but has correct style ‘real’ pad work that works around the spuds. (If you watch Matt Stohrer’s video on Buescher overhauls, you’ll see what I mean. This is extra work, but worth it to do right the first time.)

  Playing wise, it’s tons of fun. It has a centered, warm tone with excellent response and intonation. It would be pretty hard to sound bad on this tenor. It has that classic American straight-ahead projection that fills a room whether you are amplified or not. And it’s just pleasant to listent to. So many of the modern options I hear people playing are different flavors of bland and rather hollow-sounding. This tenor is rich and full of color. Bueschers like this tune well with a wide range of mouthpieces, and they can do anything from classical to jazz to R&B.

  Only one available.
• 

  Buescher Top Hat and Cane Alto Saxophone Super 400 Excellent Condition 317532

  $ 2,750

  Beautiful original lacquer, original pads Buescher Super 400 alto ‘Top Hat & Cane’ model. This is the most deluxe saxophone that Buescher produced, with deluxe engraving, fast keywork, and Buescher’s signature top quality intonation. Don’t miss the little details that take these horns from good to great, like the silver “tone ring” under the bell lip, the underslung octave key, and the raised Buescher logo in the engraving. If you have been looking for an alto that has the sweet, dynamic, moderately-focused Buescher tone, and that looks beautiful, and is in uncommonly good original condition, look no further.

  This alto has no resolders, no dents, and only light play wear on the original lacquer. It has the original case in good condition. The neck is in very good condition. Even on the original pads, this alto still plays surprisingly well. It has the snaps and spuds intact, as well as the gold plated Norton  springs. Everything you look for in a top quality Buescher is here. Just get the pads replaced by the repair shop of your choice, and you will have an alto that sounds bigger, sweeter, and more complex than any of the modern alto options, that tunes excellently, and that looks gorgeous. These are built extremely well, and they stay in adjustment very well down the road. The Buescher Top Hat and Cane altos are the creme de la creme of Buescher altos, and they are quite hard to find in this sort of condition.

  Only one available, and priced quite low to sell quickly. I also have the matching tenor, already overhauled, if you are interested in a matched set.
• 

  Buescher Top Hat and Cane Tenor Saxophone Fresh Overhaul Factory Relacquer 300849

  $ 3,300

  This highly-desirable Buescher Top Hat and Cane tenor is in excellent condition, AND it just got a complete restoration, which means an overhaul of everything that can be done. That’s like a $1000-1500 value added right there.

  This looks like original lacquer, but is actually a factory relacquer job done with basically no buffing or changes to the brass of the horn. Probably just a chemical strip, hand polish, and re-spray. It looks really good, and plays great too!

  The Top Hat and Cane is easily the most desirable of the Bueschers, and it is one of the most beautiful vintage saxophones also, with the raised metal Buescher logo, the castle engraving, and all of the little design touches that set it apart. I personally love the silver ‘tone ring’ underneath the bell flare. A lot of work to add; not very visible, but they did it anyway. And there are details like that all over the horn.

  This is a great all-purpose tenor. It is warm and full sounding – nice fat upper register, responsive low register. Intonation is very easy. And it works with a wide range of mouthpieces. A lot of those beach band 60’s tenor solos are on Bueschers like this, but you can just as easily play jazz or classical repertoire on them. You’re saving about $1500 off the price because it has a new coat of lacquer. That’s a great deal.

  Only one available!
• 

  Conn 10M Tenor Pre-War Original Lacquer Cleaned and Ready for Pads Very Good Condition Great Deal – just add an overhaul

  $ 3,650

  This is a BEAUTIFUL original lacquer Conn 10M that is totally ready to be overhauled by your favorite saxophone repair shop. Or get it overhauled through GetASax if you prefer. Way back in 2009 I was selling 10M’s this nice for more than this price, also with original pads, and they have gone up a LOT over the past 10 years. I am pricing this one low so that it sells quickly. Check out those photos. Go ahead – zoom in, make them full screen. The larger the image, the better this horn looks. It has had a few small dings removed, and the body side of the brace was carefully resoldered where it had popped off. (This happens sometimes on Conns.) You can hardly tell at all. That’s really about it! This is as clean as a 10M gets, even if you wait around for a year for the best one you can find.

  If you have been looking for a definitely great 10M, look no further. If you want to get this AND get it in with a Conn specialist like Matt Stohrer for overhaul, I am open to giving you one of my precious reserved overhaul spots with Matt. His work on Conns is really outstanding. I don’t make any money on that. You just work out your overhaul options with Matt.

  To give you a taste of what this horn can sound like, here’s a classic recording of Dexter Gordon putting his 10M through its paces. That’s a Hollywood Dukoff from the 40’s if you’re curious. The horn can take a ton of air, and just keep giving you more tone. Dex never sounded better than at this period on the 10M. It’s a natural fit. 
• Sold Out

  Conn 10M Tenor Saxophone 1935 Fresh Overhaul Original Lacquer Great Deal!

  $ 3,850

  This is this kind of Conn 10M tenor saxophone that makes people ditch their Selmers and Yamahas. It’s also a great deal at this price! It is original lacquer, AND it has been recently overhauled before I got it, and is playing very nicely. The keywork is comfortable, intonation is excellent, and the tone is to die for. Wide, dark, but still punchy and with a good amount of focus. Palm key tone is gorgeous and full, not a bit thin. This tenor has been well cared-for over the years, and the only past repairs I see are some small dents removed from the back of the body tube and bow, and evidence of a slight pull down having been ‘pulled back up’ from the neck, which is a very common thing to see on vintage saxophones. This pull down (now fully corrected) was about a 2 on a scale of 1-10 in severity, so not a big deal.

  I have a lot of Conns, but not many of them that are both pre-war and that have a recent overhaul. That makes this one an excellent deal. Only one available. By the way, this is what original lacquer looks like on the early 10M’s from ’34-35. The engraving style is a little different from later 10M’s, on the early ones in the 260-270k range. This is what it looks like (and should look like).

  

  Just for fun, here’s Dexter Gordon putting a 10M from the same era through its paces. (The mouthpiece is a Hollywood Dukoff, which I also have for sale, if you are looking.) The sound mixing guy who recorded Dex always had to dial him back a lot. There really is no limit to the volume on  a Conn 30M tenor.
  
• 

  Conn 10M Tenor Saxophone Late Example Great Deal! Needs Repad

  $ 950

  Conn 10M Tenor saxophone for under $1k! The Conn 10M is one of the best vintage tenors ever. This one is from 1967. It’s original lacquer and original pads, and it is just a repad short of being a solid player. The 10M keywork is nice and comfortable, and if you want a cheaper tenor that plays LOUDLY and has a big, dark core tone this is hard to beat. It should be an easy repad, as the horn is in very good condition.

  Only one available!
• 

  Conn 10M Tenor Saxophone Naked Lady Rolled Tone Holes Original Lacquer Good Pads 322571

  $ 2,950

  Great deal on an original lacquer, rolled tone holes Conn 10M tenor. This horn came from a big collection of great American saxophones that I recently bought. It was repadded at some point before it came in, and the pads are still in good condition. It has a huge, warm, medium dark, powerful tone that fills a room instantly. And the intonation is also great. The keywork is quite fast and comfortable once you get used to it, which only takes a couple of weeks if you are coming from a Selmer.

  The only past repairs are some small dents removed from the back of the body tube. Probably from a mouthpiece rattling around in the case with the horn long ago. One in the upper body tube, one near the strap hook, and one near the thumb hook. Also a small one removed from the top of the neck. It’s in very good shape now. It’s uncommon to see a 10M like this with so few repairs and nothing resoldered or seriously damaged and repaired. This is one of the good ones for sure! Engraving is beautiful and crisp also.

  Only one available! Get it now.

  Just for fun, here’s Dexter Gordon putting a 10M from the same era through its paces. (The mouthpiece is a Hollywood Dukoff, which I also have for sale, if you are looking.) The sound mixing guy who recorded Dex always had to dial him back a lot. There really is no limit to the volume on  a Conn 30M tenor.
  
• Sold Out

  Conn 30M Connqueror Tenor Saxophone 1936 Relacquered Plays Great! 275847

  The Conn 30M. If you’re reading this, you probably know what this is already. It’s the more deluxe version of the best vintage tenor by Conn, the Conn 10M. The 30M is a 10M plus lots of keywork upgrades including ‘permadjust’ screws throughout, rather than traditional adjustment materials between key linkages; solid silver key touches on spatula and side keys, and a newly designed pinky table and neck octave key. This is the saxophone geek’s dream horn. It is also one of the best sounding tenors ever produced, without any doubt.

  This particular example is refinished, obviously, and then it got a recent overhaul done by the good people at SaxAlley in Colorado. They used a wide, flat pad that looks like a Conn Reso-pad, but is solid throughout, so it feels snappy and positive instead of the soft, squishy feel of a normal reso-pad. This is an improvement. There is some kind of dark leather sealant on the pads that makes them look weird, but hey, they are sealing well, and the horn feels quite good under the fingers, so I’m not going to mess with success here. The response is quick, and the tone is saturated throughout. The low register is particularly nice. Subtone and ballad playing is very easy, and this Conn 30M can play softly while still sounding full and rich. There is really no upper limit to the volume. You’re the only limiting variable here.

  If you’re looking for a great player’s tenor that is much cheaper than a normal 30M even though it is in good playing condition, and that sounds great all-around, then this may be the horn for you. It came to me in a pretty worn old Conn case, so if you want to upgrade the case, I’m happy to cut you a good deal on a new case for it. I like the BAM Classic for Conns, as the foam is great quality, and the cut out in the interior allows the bell keys to fit without a whole lot of squishing necessary.

  Just for fun, here’s Dexter Gordon putting a 10M from the same era through its paces. (The mouthpiece is a Hollywood Dukoff, which I also have for sale, if you are looking.) The sound mixing guy who recorded Dex always had to dial him back a lot. There really is no limit to the volume on  a Conn 30M tenor.

   
• 

  Conn 6M Naked Lady Alto Saxophone Original Lacquer 1953 356523

  $ 1,100

  1953 Conn 6M alto original lacquer with old pads. The later 6M’s like this are an excellent value, because they are still well made, but the price is almost laughably low for what you get. I always recommend the 1948-55 or so Conns to people who want a great tone but  who are on a tighter budget. The tone is fantastic – big, wide, with plenty of projection. Intonation is very good, and the keywork is comfortable. There is not a lot to tell condition wise. This horn is in great shape. Original lacquer, neck is in great shape. It looks like there was a small dent removed from the back of the bow, and maybe from behind the lower thumb hook. I hope that I’m in as good shape at 65 years old!
• 

  Conn 6M Transitional Art Deco Alto Saxophone 247105 Great Shape 1931

  $ 1,600

  I love Conn altos in the 230-260k range, and especially the ones near 250k serial. This 247k is a transitional Conn between the New Wonder II (‘Chu Berry’) and the 6M (‘Artist’) models. It is a true transitional in every sense, and is almost half NWII and half 6M. These special alto saxophones have a tone and set of features found nowhere else, and that makes them especially great in several ways. The bore still feels more like a NWII to play, so the tone is wider and wilder than the later 6M’s (which are also great, but are more focused and a bit less wild). The neck is like a 6M, so you get the improved intonation that ‘slots in’ better – NWII’s have good intonation as well, but it is more flexible than the 6M versions. The bell keys have moved around to the left, but the left hand spatula keys retain their NWII shape, but with improved mechanics. No saxophone has an easier or more direct feel on the low B and Bb that this version of Conn. It’s nice and light and fast, though you don’t have anything like modern ergonomics on those keys, of course. The regular main stack keywork is already mostly updated to the fast and comfortable 6M design. That is very good keywork, and is hardly improved upon in modern horns, so this is a very comfortable horn to play.

  It came with special ‘art deco’ engraving on the bell that you only see for a short time around 245-249k serial with Conn altos. This example is original or ‘first’ lacquer, and has not been refinished. It has original pads and even comes with the original warranty and care booklet in the original case.

  Tonally, these late transitional 6M’s are an ideal choice for big band or jazz band lead alto. They have almost unlimited projection or ‘carrying power’ as the old advertizements put it. And the tone stays strong and cohesive no matter how much you push it. It’s just a joy to hear one of these in full song. Marhsall Royale and the Basie band all played Conns like this, as did Charlie Parker for a while (among many other horns). You see them commonly in clubs in NYC and all over Europe these days. Nothing sounds like a Conn. This one is priced low for what it is. Superb original condition. Add a good overhaul, and you will have one of the best built alto saxophones ever, that will be dependable and fantastic to own and play for many many years to come. If you like this version in silver, I also have a silver 249k that I just got completely overhauled that is also for sale.

  Only one available!

   
• 

  Conn 6M VIII Alto Saxophone 1937 Pre-War Original Lacquer Excellent Condition 282496

  $ 3,250

  This is a beautiful Conn 6M VIII alto with great original lacquer. It comes with a full high end overhaul. If you are relatively new to vintage saxophones, almost all saxophones older than 1990 or so that have been played with any frequency are in need of a labor-intensive process of restoration called an ‘overhaul.’ This does not touch the finish, but it completely replaces everything that needs to be replaced to put the saxophone back to factory fresh mechanical and playing condition. If you do it right, (which is a big if) then the horn can even be better than new mechanically and playing wise. That’s what this horn is getting right now. It costs about $1000+ to have done right, because it involves at least 25-30 hours of skilled labor.

  This Conn 6M VII is really the one you want. It is in excellent condition, original lacquer, no resolders, no serious past repairs at all (a few small dings removed). As soon as it comes back from overhaul in a week or two, it is going to be AMAZING! Conns are very consistent from horn to horn once you fix everything mechanically. This one will be no exception. Even on original pads when I got it from a collector, it played really big. It is medium-focused, and very free blowing. Intonation is excellent. Keywork is fast. It comes with a BAM Classic alto case or similar, (we can discuss) to keep it safe when you are not playing it (which won’t be that much of the time, based on how these play!)

  Only one available!
• 

  Conn 6M VIII Alto Saxophone 1942 Original Lacquer Pre-war Excellent Condition!

  $ 2,250

  This Conn 6M is the most desirable version, with the VIII stamp on the neck, and the entire saxophone is in excellent condition. It is all original – including neck, pads, original lacquer, and original case. The pads are completely done and you’ll have to overhaul this to play your first note on it. It would be hard to find a better overhaul candidate. Usually there’s at least one resolder, but the only thing I can see that has ever happened to this alto is a small dent removed from the back of the bow which is now nearly invisible.

  The neck is gorgeous, body tube, bow, and bell are all dent free and beautiful. The engraving really pops on this horn, and the lacquer has a luster that you don’t always see. The reason this Conn 6M alto is in such great condition, is that the original owner bought it in early 1942, (just before Conn stopped producing saxophones to start making alitmeters for the war effort), and then he enlisted and went off to war. When he came back, he bought a Conn 10M tenor saxophone  and played that instead. The 10M is in nearly as good condition, though it’s not original lacquer like this alto is.

  Conn 6M altos are amazingly consistent from horn to horn. Just get it properly overhauled, and it will be a really lively, projecting, room-filling lead alto that sails over a band with ease. There’s nothing like a Conn in full song. Plus, as you may know, the keywork layout on the 6M is very comfortable and fast under the fingers. In an alternate universe where Conn kept making saxophones during WWII and Selmer stopped making saxophones to fight the Nazis, Conn’s keywork design would have become what you see on all modern saxophones. It’s that good. I prefer Conns to Selmers on alto, generally speaking, and my favorites are these pre-war 6M’s. They’re just so fun to play. The horn comes alive in your hands, the body tube vibrates in response to the sound, and there really is no limit to the amount of sound you can get out when pushed. People come in the shop and play the Conns, and they are regularly blown away.

  I have some other, very similar altos right now that also come with the full overhaul / restoration included in the price. You can see the selection of Conns available here. There are also some in other finishes like silver plate or even gold plate.

  Just for fun, here’s Marshal Royal and the Basie Band (all of whom used Conns) playing a ballad on his 6M. 
• 

  Conn 6M VIII Alto Saxophone Pre-War Original Lacquer Very Good Condition Plays Well 294775

  $ 1,950

  This pre-war (from the American perspective, meaning prior to the government order than restricted the manufacture of musical instruments along with anything else made out of brass) Conn 6M was built in 1941, and is the desirable “VIII” version, with the VIII stamp on both the body and neck.  

  It is in very good physical condition with original lacquer, no dents, and no major or minor past repairs or resolders, with the exception of a repaired dent on the bowguard, which is visible in the photos.  It has what appears to be a recent repad, or perhaps an old repad that wasn’t played much after it was done, and Conn Res-o-pads were used. It plays well with a big voice, and although to my professionally-obligated-to-be-picky tastes it is not quite as astoundingly slick under the fingers at these feel when they have been overhauled as the best repairers can do, it is definitely playable as-is and will beat the pants off of most any challenger, especially modern imports that cost a lot more and give you a lot less than this fine example of vintage American saxophone craftsmanship.  
  
  Oddly, the lacquer on the neck is more worn than the rest of the horn- although physically the neck is in immaculate condition with no dents or past pulldowns.  In the past when I have seen this the culprit is usually a homemade neck bag that was lacquer-unfriendly, or perhaps the owner had a habit during rests to hold the horn with the neck in his hand.  Given the lack of wear elsewhere on the horn, I’d guess a neck bag was the culprit here, although I can’t be certain. But again, though the lacquer itself is mostly gone from the neck (and the neck alone), the neck tube is flawless and there are no signs of past repairs of any kind.  

  The microtuner is free and functional, and all of the original rollers and present and moving freely.  The engraving is crisp and clear with no lacquer loss, and the pearls seems largely unworn. The keywork is tight and the body is straight.  This is a very clean example of the most desirable vintage of the most desirable variant of the Conn 6M, and it can be yours for less than a new Yamaha YAS-26.  
• 

  Conn 94M DJH Modified Tenor Saxophone Keilwerth Made Excellent Pro Tenor!

  $ 2,750

  Getting a complete high end overhaul right now! This is in the hard-to-beat-for-the-price category for sure. Made by Keilwerth for Conn, this is like a Couf Superba 1 with straight tone holes and Conn 10M engraving. As you may know already, the Superba 1 is one of my favorite tenors. I’m not surprised that when Conn wanted to add a new professional instrument to its line, it went with the Keilwerth. It is the most like a Conn of any modern horn, and it is well made, tunes well, feels great undet the fingers. It really checks all the boxes of what you might want in a tenor.

  This particular example has original lacquer and no resolders. It is getting overhauled right now, which is a big job – 30+ hours of highly-skilled labor goes into a good overhaul, and that means the horn will play its very best with all new everything, for a long time into the future. It’s a joy to play a horn like this with a fresh overhaul. Just the work costs around $1100-1500 to do everything, which means you are getting an excellent value. The horn itself is less than half the price!  Buy it now to reserve it. It should be ready in the next 2-3 weeks (so June 2019).
• 

  Conn Connstellation Alto Saxophone 28M Very Good Condition Original Lacquer 335771

  $ 2,350

  You could be forgiven for thinking that because there are two original lacquer, very good condition Conn 28M “Connstellation” saxophones on my website at the moment that these are somewhat common, but I assure you that is not the case!   I will copy and paste the general statements about the 28M from the other description, with the unique description of this particular instrument’s physical and playing condition at the bottom.
  
  The Conn 28M will always have a special place in my heart.  It represents the last time one of the great American saxophone manufacturing companies tried something wholly new, and although the horn never really found a market and not many were made, they are fantastic instruments that besides being unique and historically interesting, play *really* well.  

  These saxophones were redesigned, utilizing many ideas from Allen Loomis (Conn’s resident saxophone visionary) and Hugh Loney, with input from Santy Runyon, with the aim of creating a saxophone that had extremely slick keywork and a very balanced scale.  The keywork, although familiar under the fingers with regard to placement and layout, is mechanically quite different from any other saxophone and has been built from the ground up with the goal of reducing mechanical friction. There are no pivot screws anywhere on this saxophone, instead the long rods have a very long hinge rod with the middle machined down so only the ends touch.   The G# has a very unique torsion mechanism to provide a G# feel that is smooth throughout the range. The side keys are designed so that the angle and distance of travel is the same for each key. There are adjustment screws on the upper and lower stacks as well as the left hand pinky table. The bell keys are on the left side, and the pantsguard/bell keyguard is a large acrylic plate that was designed with the idea in mind of allowing the horn to vent properly regardless of playing position or clothing choice.  The octave mechanism has three pips (octave vents), one on the neck and two on the body, which has the end result of a very clear middle D and no hiss on the A or G#, as well as excellent intonation. The keywork in general is very light, and the pearls are larger than usual for Conn and a little flatter. The overall feeling is of a very light horn, extremely slick, easy to play, excellent intonation, and very even throughout.

  The one downfall of this design is the pantsguard, which is fairly brittle and often broken.  Although nowadays there are excellent replacements available, this one has its original guard in decent condition.  There is one repaired crack (visible in the photos) and the common small cracks radiating from some of the screw holes.  I would anticipate, absent any further damage, that this keyguard will last and should not present any problems- although I will furnish you with contact information for obtaining a well made (and somewhat more durable) replacement should you ever need it.  And believe it or not, I have experience shipping these so you can rest easy knowing I will remove it for shipping, wrap it separately, and it will arrive to you in good condition.

  This instrument plays quite decently on what appears to be an older repad with plastic domed resonators, with a strong, moderately bright, cheerful voice.  The clarity of the tone is notable, and it is a lot of fun to play with a unique look and feel and timbre that would lend itself easily to classical, big band, or small group jazz.  The lacquer is original and in good condition with some playing wear and a few stand scratches near the low C#, with no evidence of past repairs or dents or resolders of any kind. It is also a unique and interesting piece of saxophone history, in very good condition, and whoever owns this instrument next will have a lot of fun being its steward for the next generation.  
• 

  Conn New Wonder II Chu Berry Alto Saxophone Relacquer 1930 Good Pads Great Deal 236664

  $ 800

  This is a Conn New Wonder II Transitional alto saxophone from 1930. It is probably the best playing alto per dollar spent on the site, because it has good pads but has been refinished. The new coat of paint it got made the price go down, but didn’t hurt the playability. This horn came to me playing well on its current pads. It hasn’t been freshly overhauled, but it does play on the current setup. That makes it a great deal, because you get the beautiful big, warm Conn tone for under $1k, which is crazy. This horn is pre-war, if you’re looking for that, and it has rolled tone holes. By ‘transitional’ in the title, I mean that it was made very late in the New Wonder II (or ‘Chu Berry’) run, and it has some features that anticipate the 6M or ‘artist’ or ‘naked lady’ or ‘lady face’ (I could go on. Conn nomenclature is kind of convoluted.) It’s basically a New Wonder II, but it has the raised high E side key and a few other small changes like palm key shapes and possibly a different neck though I’m not sure about that.

  It includes the case in the photos as well.

  Only one available.
• 

  Couf Superba 1 Alto Original Lacquer Fresh High-End Overhaul Plays Great

  The H. Couf Superba 1 is one of my favorite vintage saxophones. They remain one of the best options for a great sounding alto sax with modern keywork and a rich, interesting tone. Darker and fatter sounding than a Yamaha, with rich, wide upper register, and a full, projecting low register, this alto will do it all. If you are looking for a great all-purpose alto, or even for an ideal smooth jazz or commercial sounding alto, the Couf Superba 1 fits the bill. I just sold one of these to a smooth jazz player who loves the fat sound that stays warm when brightened up with a bright mouthpiece. And he loves the comfort of the keywork. These are among the only saxophones that sound this full and rich and also have modern keywork. (Modern saxophones have, as a rule, moved towards a clearer, rounder, more contained sound, and can’t deal with as much air as a Superba 1 can take.)

  This alto came with its original pads still intact, and it is getting a full mechanical overhaul right now, which means it will be back to like new, or better-than-new condition mechanically, and playing wise. If you’re not used to used saxophone lingo, that means that a highly-skilled woodwind repairman is going to be spending about 30 hours of labor on this horn going over every detail, and replacing everything that can be replaced, (all new pads, corks, felts, mechanical work, setup, play testing, neck fit, full disassembly, cleaning, fresh oil etc.) so that it’s totally rebuilt and ready for its next many years of playing. That’s a big added value for you, because you don’t have to worry about the horn needing more than minor occasional maintenance to play its best for many years to come. It also means that it will play effortlessly, and saturatedly at low volumes, in the low register. Low Bb is just another note, even if you want to play it at pp.

  I have no trouble selling a Couf Superba 1 alto as soon as anyone plays one with the fresh overhaul. It’s really hard to beat, regardless of price. And at this price, it is really hard to beat.

  Only one available!
• 

  Couf Superba 1 Tenor Near Mint w/ Warranty Papers Overhauled Superb Powerful Player

  $ 3,750

  Just freshly overhauled and in exceptional playing condition. This might be the best playing tenor on the entire site. This tenor has a HUGE, powerful tone, with effortless, fat low register, and crisp, fat upper register. It is just a joy to play. It got the premium TenorMadness hand-machined, slightly-domed, reusable metal resonators that work so well on these horns, and that look great also. 

  This is a very nice condition Couf (made by Keilwerth for Herb Couf) Superba I tenor, which is a great modern ergonomics horn with a lot of the big, fat tone of an old Conn.  Some people also compare them tonally to a good Selmer SBA, and they do indeed share the big, warm sound you can get on a great Selmer.

  This particular sax sports a high F# key and has lived a very cosseted life thus far. It still has the original warranty paperwork as well. I got it with original pads from the original owner in New Jersey. It helped him meet his now wife, who admired his sexy saxman persona and thought she would like to see more of this guy:-) Now it’s ready to improve someone else’s live.  There are no past repairs at all! The original gold colored lacquer (which has a particularly beautiful lustre to it that can often be mistaken for gold plate) is in very good shape.  

  The Couf Superba I sports rolled toneholes and a really cool modern engraving pattern and was built in West Germany by Keilwerth to be imported by Herb Couf, a distinguished professional saxophonist who later was a Vice President of the W. T. Armstrong company.  As told to me by those who knew him and also as evidenced by playing the saxophone he chose to put his name on, the man had good taste in saxophones. If you have been looking for an extremely well built modern ergonomics horn with a bigger sound than you find on most modern instruments, look no further- Couf has you covered.  

  Just for fun, here’s Grover Washington Jr with his Couf Superba 1 tenor. You can hear how it has a dark, fat tone, even with the higher baffle, brighter mouthpiece that he’s using. Fantastic sound!
• 

  Ishimori Wood Stone Alto Saxophone Brand New WSA-VL with F# Dark Lacquer

  $ 4,500

  Arriving early October 2019! There are two dark lacquer and one antique finish (unlacquered) that will be available.

  This is the highly sought-after Ishimori Wood Stone alto saxophone available. The model is WSA-VL with high F#. It has dark, cognac colored lacquer and beautiful hand engraving, the among the most elaborate of any modern saxophone. Effortless player. Hard to emphasize how effortless. Completely effortless low register, low Bb pops out like any other note. Altissimo is easy. Tuning is great. The tone is sort of Selmer-ish but punchier. Easy to play delicately and softly with plenty of saturation and projection. Action is low, fast, and snappy. Great for jazz, concert, ballads– really anything. I’m impressed. $4500 brand new.
• 

  King SilverSonic Super 20 Tenor Saxophone Original Lacquer Fresh Overhaul! 418944

  $ 6,000
• 

  King SilverSonic Tenor Saxophone Exceptionally Fine Player Overhauled 402584

  $ 5,750

  Here is a freshly overhauled King Super 20 SilverSonic (solid sterling neck and bell with gold inlay engraving) in excellent shape with a *monstrous* sound.  The overhaul is extremely clean and well done, and sports high-end reusable Tenor Madness resonators. The action is quick and light and smooth and feels absolutely fantastic under the fingers.  Even the left hand pinky table, which can be challenging for some repairers to get right, is light and snappy as it was designed to be. Seriously, hand this horn to the guy next to you on the bandstand just to let him feel it for a sec if you want to ruin his day.  

  Physically, this sax is in great condition as well.   The lacquer is original and has signs of honest wear, but there are no signs of any major or even minor damage or resolders, past or present.  The body is straight and the keys are all tight with no lost motion. Owner’s name lightly engraved on bottom of bell. Could be removed if you wanted to, but it is not noticeable. SilverSonics like this with the gold in the engraving on the silver bell are few and far between, and this one is bona fide Great. 

  It is hard to find a Super 20 SilverSonic tenor in good physical shape, and even harder to get one overhauled this well.  Buy this horn and you’ve got it all right out of the box- no worries, no mystery, no gremlins awaiting you down the line. Just a great American-made sax that is ready to make bandmates jealous, project all the way to the back of the room, and look great doing it.  
• 

  King Super 20 Alto Saxophone 1950 Full Pearls 308k Original Lacquer Fresh Matt Stohrer Overhaul!

  $ 6,000

  King altos are the best altos ever. This one has beautiful original lacquer and looks great, with the only past repair being a resoldered key guard foot. It just got a full, fresh, high-end overhaul, done by Matt Stohrer. This means it got about 30 hours of highly-skilled labor done to make the mechanism all factory fresh, and to replace everything that can be replaced so that it is back to new playing condition and pad wise. Matt is something of an authority on vintage King repair You can watch his repairman’s overview of King Super 20 saxophones here. I’m tempted to wax eloquent about what a proper overhaul includes, but think of it like rebuilding an engine or replacing a transmission, and you’ll have the right idea. It now performs great and will be ready to go for many many years to come with only regular maintenance needed.

  This King Super 20 alto is from just about the most desirable year, 1950, which is the same version of Super 20 that Cannonball Adderley played on Kind of Blue and Somethin’ Else. It is in great shape, with no serious past repairs at all.  This is the ‘Series II’ which has the best combination of beauty, features, and key work of all of the Super 20 altos. You really can get the Cannonball Adderley vibe going on one of these (with lots of practice) better than almost anything else. Cannonball played almost exactly this serial alto on Kind of Blue. This plus a Meyer 5 or Ted Klum NY Model plus a soft reed and lots of guts is what you need for what I consider to be the benchmark for good alto sound.

  Why do I say that Super 20’s like this are the best altos ever? The overall combination of tone, beauty, and ergonomics. For me, great tone that you get from these full pearls Super 20’s is pretty hard to beat. It’s warm, full, rich, and projecting, but without any hint of shrillness or thinness. Cannonball’s tone, I always think of as a tenor saxophone reincarnated in the body of an alto, and that’s pretty much what a Super 20 alto like this is. It feels like the tone is coming from a bigger, deeper instrument, but in the alto register, which is really remarkable.

  Just for fun, here’s Cannonball on his Series II Super 20 playing one of his classic ballads, Dancin’ in the Dark.
• 

  King Super 20 Tenor 298061 Series 1a Full Pearls Original Lacquer (mostly gone) Recent Overhaul

  $ 5,450

  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, meaning that it hasn’t been refinished, but the original lacquer was chemically removed from the body tube, and still remains on the keys giving the horn a cool two tone look. It came to me from a pro player on consignment, and it plays well, like you might expect for a horn that had been recently restored. It was overhauled by Ivan Lukyanets in Encino, CA, who has a great reputation among pro players in the LA area. It feels nice and snappy under the fingers, and the black kangaroo skin pads are sealing well. They have flat, medium sized metal resonators that work well on a King and are similar to factory spec for this era.

  This tenor is very clean condition mechanically. I don’t see any past dent work or any resolders or other past repairs at all. 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.

  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!

   
• 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!

   
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  King Super 20 Tenor Original Lacquer Full Pearls Fresh Overhaul!

  $ 6,450

  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!
• 

  Martin Committee II Tenor Saxophone Excellent Condition Original Lacquer Overhauled 131115

  $ 3,500

  This is the best Martin Committee II tenor saxophone that I have seen. It is in phenomenal shape and just got a complete mechanical overhaul. It plays SO well – effortlessly throughout all registers with a beautiful, warm, balanced tone. Martins are known for their power, and this one has that, but it is also more focused and round than most other Martins, and has a nice dense core tone. The intonation is very good, and the keywork is also quite comfortable under the fingers. The thumb rest from the Comm II should be on more saxophones. It’s extremely well thought out.

  The overhaul on this horn is beautifully done, as you can see, and included meticulous polishing of all the nickel keys to a stunning mirror finish. The original lacquer is a beautiful dark honey color that is hard to match among modern horns, and of course, the lion and crown engraving is deluxe and distinctive among vintage saxophones. I particularly love the bell key guard design and the overall stylistic impression given by the Martin Committee II tenors.

  If you are looking for a great, already-overhauled, beautifully restored, original lacquer vintage tenor to play and enjoy that really does everything quite well, and that doesn’t sound just like everyone else, then you would be hard pressed to do better than this one. I should mention, the neck and body serials do not match – probably because the collector I got this tenor from wanted to put the best condition neck on this horn.

  Only one available!
• 

  Martin The Martin Alto Saxophone Excellent Condition! Great Deal

  $ 999

  Here’s a beautiful The Martin Alto that has no dents, no dings, and no past repairs. It looks like it has some original pads still intact also. The patent stick is still on the body tube, and the horn is ready to get an overhaul and play really well. I’m pricing it low, as if it were a relacquer, because the lacquer is over the engraving. The engraving is very sharp though, so this may be a case of the factory engraving first, then lacquering, as the rest of it looks clean and original. So you save several hundred dollars on it for that reason, but for all intents and purposes, playing wise, it’s in beautiful shape and will be a real gem with a good overhaul.

  Martins have among the thickest brass of any saxophone, and they are built like tanks. The whole horn feels solid and sturdy, and it was built to last! It’s the only saxophone I know of that came with a 50 year warranty from the factory! Pretty crazy! The Deco design unity of this horn’s keywork and braces is delightful. From any angle, it’s a coherent object – thought through from the cork through to the bell flare.

  The Martin Alto’s (Committee III) are among the best saxophones for the money that you can possibly get. Quality per dollar spent is hard to beat. This is one beautiful example, and it’s priced to sell.

  Only one available!
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  Selmer Cigar Cutter Super Sax Tenor Saxophone 17xxx Original Overhauled Modern Keywork!

  $ 7,500

  See the full description below for more info. Here’s a 1933 Selmer Super Sax tenor with a recent overhaul, original finish, and several modifications/modernizations: a larger right hand thumbrest, a later-style geared octave mechanism with Mark VI style righward-tilting thumb key, and Balanced Action style left hand pinky table.  These modifications significantly modernize the feel of this horn, and ergonomically it feels about a generation younger than it actually is.

  The modifications themselves were done quite competently, and fit and blend in well with the horn, not being noticeable upon casual inspection unless you know where to look.  The saxophone itself is in good physical condition, with moderate lacquer wear and no major past damage that I can see.

  These types of modifications are not easy to do, are quite expensive, and are not often done, so it could be a good long while before you see another Super Sax with a modernized left hand pinky table.  If you’ve been interested by the big Selmer tone of the Super Sax models but are used to modern ergonomics, this could be the horn for you.
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Alto 1962 Original Lacquer American Engraved Original Pads 102605

  $ 7,950

  This is a beautiful, original lacquer, American engraved Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone from 1962. It has the matching serial number on the neck, and it has no dents or dings. There are no resolders or other past repairs, save a couple of small dings removed from the back of the bow and a tiny one from the neck. The whole horn is in excellent condition, and it even still plays surprisingly well on the original factory pad job from Elkhart. They really did it right back in the day at the Selmer assembly shop. It feels just perfect under the fingers, and it would be a good feel to copy if you get this overhauled to play seriously.

  Just for fun, here’s Phil Woods putting a similar VI through its paces!

  The early 100k serial VI altos are my favorite Mark VI altos for tone. This is the exact same horn as a 95k serial alto, so it is the same as a 5-digit, but for a lower price. The tone is medium-dark, powerful, and punchy when pushed, with a good amount of focus. These are the most tenor-like of the Mark VI altos, with a depth and body to the sound that reminds me of a larger saxophone bursting out of an alto voice. This has the long bow, which means nothing really if you’re playing jazz, but if you’re buying this for classical sax, then with a small tip opening mouthpiece and hard reed you will find low B to be a little flat on your tuner. With a jazz setup, I don’t even notice it, and the tone that you get is just fantastic.

  If you’re in the market for a great Selmer alto, this makes a much smarter purchase than a new Referene 54 at $6700, because the Reference will be worth 70% of that at best, as soon as you buy it, and less as time goes on, where a beautiful vintage Mark VI will still be worth what you paid for it or more when you go to sell it, if you ever need to. You’re tying up the money in a horn, but it’s money you can get back out, meaning you can own the horn nearly for free, or for the cost of upkeep, which is not the case buying most other sorts of big ticket items. Certainly not vehicles! Plus it’s satisfying to own and play, is built extremely well, and sounds better than a new one. Just for fun, here’s Phil Woods putting a similar VI through its paces (using a Meyer Bros NY alto piece).

  Only one available!
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Alto 1970 184973 Original Lacquer American Engraved Fresh Overhaul!

  $ 6,000

  This is a sweet deal on a freshly-overhauled original lacquer Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone from 1970 serial 184973. This was a one-owner alto before I got it, and the guy was a pro player in the NYC/NJ area. He took great care of it, and now that it’s freshly overhauled, it is all ready for its second life. If you read around on here, you’ll see that I really love the Mark VI altos from the late 60’s and early 70’s like this. They finally got everything right on the Mark VI alto at this serial, after making incremental changes to the bore, bow length, and neck from 1957-1967 or so. By ’67 the alto hits its stride, and the 1970 is basically the same horn. Because the market is not fully rational, you can get some of the best Selmer Mark VI altos for this sort of price, even with a full overhaul, where some of the earlier serial ones will cost much more. That makes this one a great deal.

  If you have the cash, I think you might as well buy the nicest alto you can, and enjoy playing it. Pro altos are easier to play than student and intermediate ones, and the Mark VI is among the easiest vintage saxophones to play and to own. It’s easy to get worked on, well-built, and stays in adjustment well over time. The keywork design set the standard for all modern saxophones and feels great under the fingers. The tone is gorgeous, and the intonation is good. It’s the one horn that does everything the best on average, which is why it is so popular.

  This particular alto has a tone that is medium between bright and dark, and is a nice, balaced player. Not brash and bold like a 220k VI, and not dark and laser-focused like a 60k VI. It’s flexible, dynamic, and easy to take where you want it to go tonally with the right setup. The intonation is good, and the pads feel nice and snappy under the fingers, as they should on a good overhaul. The neck is in good condition and the neck ‘fit’ is all perfectly sealing in the tenon, which is one of those small but important things to have done on a vintage horn to take it from good to great. Cosmetically, you can see this horn has been played, and has some honest wear throughout. After all, it was lovingly pro-owned for many years, but aside from that, it’s very nice. The only past repairs are a resoldered foot of the low C guard that popped loose as it does on so many VI’s, and a few small dents removed from the back of the bow, which is now dent-free. Neck is beautiful, bell flare is in great shape. Tone holes are all great of course.

  It’s a very good deal on a solid Selmer Mark VI alto. This would be, to me, much preferable to spending $6700 on a new Reference 54 alto, which, unfortunately, will probably need an overhaul on top of the purcahse price in order to play its best. This will go up in value, hold up better to prolonged use, and get you your money back should you ever want to sell it. It comes in the new BAM case in the photos.

  Only one available!
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Alto Original Lacquer American Engraved Excellent Condition 233486

  This very clean, American-assembled late Mark VI alto is a good example of why I think the late American-assembled VIs are a relative bargain.  It is very nearly unplayed, sporting most of its original pads (I had a bit of repair work done on it to bring it up to playable) and it possesses an undeniably huge tone, probably the most strident and powerful of all the VI altos.  The American-assembled Mark VI altos in the very late run have a large patch soldered to the inside of the bow at the factory to reduce the overall volume of of the interior of the bow, and they play better with noticeably less burble and resistance down low.   It is a low-tech solution, but one that works very well and was therefore done at the factory to every American-assembled Mark VI alto after around serial number 210,000 or so.

  This particular saxophone is in very good condition, with its original lacquer.  There are a few small scratches here and there and some playing wear on the touchpieces of the side keys and palm keys, but 99% or more of the lacquer remains and it shows no evidence of past repairs or resolders.  This is a nice, solid Mark VI alto in excellent condition that will blow the doors down if called upon to do so.
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Alto Original Lacquer American Engraved Great Deal 214844

  $ 4,750

  Extremely good price for an original lacquer Selmer Mark VI alto. This horn has older pads, so plan on getting it overhauled. But it won’t be a complex overhaul – just the regular, and Selmer Mark VI’s are easy and fun to restore at your local saxophone expert’s place. The later VI altos have a beautiful, balanced tone. Selmer finally got the alto really nicely in tune by the end. It plays with an even scale and feels great with a lyrical French Selmer core and plenty of warmth and complexity to the tone. It’s medium between bright and dark, possibly medium bright when pushed, but it will really do most anything you want it to, depending on your choice of mouthpiece. So for the price of a new Yamaha, you can get the storied Mark VI and own and enjoy it while it goes up in value. What’s not to like about that?

  Only one available!
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone 160941 Beautiful Original Lacquer Matt Stohrer Overhaul!

  $ 7,650

  Just overhauled by Matt Stohrer, this is one exceptionally fine Selmer Mark VI alto. It feels better than new, and it plays so effortlessly, with a warm, complex, medium bright tone that is rich and singing. If you’ve been looking for one alto that does everything well, this is it. It gets my highly-coveted ‘exceptionally fine player’ designation. That means is the best of its kind that you can get in a saxophone in my opinion.

  The 160k range is excellent for the VI altos specifically, because you get a rich tone and well balanced intonation. If you want one of those life-long, world-class VI altos that also has the world’s best overhaul (that I have seen at least), then get this one. Matt’s work on a VI looks like it came fresh from the factory, and feels like a million bucks. Effortless to play, and dependable to maintain. It has all the little touches that take a horn from good to great.
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone Original Overhauled Excellent! 165069

  $ 6,950

  This is one of those altos you don’t want to put down. It’s just gotten a complete overhaul / mechanical restoration, which means that it feels and plays like new or even a bit better. I wanted to get this horn overhauled, because I had a really good feeling about how it played even on the original pads that it had when it got here. If you want a VI that will be problem-free for many many years, and plays better than any modern horn on the market, (and will go up in value) this is what you want!

  This was a one-owner horn that was well cared-for for decades before now, and now it is getting a good start on a new life with a top shelf overhaul. This thing has a beautiful voice. Medium between bright and dark, rich, and resonant. The late 60’s Mark VI’s are my favorites for all-around Selmer altos, because they do basically everything well. Intonation is good, scale is even, low notes are saturated even at pianissimo, upper register screams. This has the ‘medium bow’ if you’re wondering about such things, which means the low register tunes the best of the Mark VI’s. You can’t beat a Mark VI alto like this for build quality and all-around satisfying playing experience. You get the beautiful, unbeatable tone of a Mark VI, the comfortable key work, the excellent intonation, and the feel of a new horn under your fingers, and all for less than a (let’s be honest) comparatively poorly made new Selmer alto. Plus this holds its value and appreciates, while your new horn is going to be worth approximately half the new price in about one second after you unbox it (gasp).

  Comes with the original case, and you can add a great BAM case for a big discount if you contact me.
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Soprano Saxophone 253537

  $ 4,850

  Beautiful original lacquer Selmer Mark VI soprano saxophone in excellent condition. The pads are a mix of older and newer, mostly older. But it plays nicely on them with a warm, resonant tone. This is a great VI soprano and sounds rich, and also tunes quite well. Original case is in good shape too. No dents or dings, no resolders. A bit of stand wear inside the bell flare is about all there is to say about this very nice Mark VI soprano!
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Tenor 195260 Original Lacquer American-Engraved Plays Well

  $ 5,950
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  Selmer Mark VI Tenor 1971 192399 Original Lacquer High F# Plays Great Priced Low!

  $ 5,000
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Tenor from 1973 Saxophone Original Lacquer Overhauled Great!

  $ 6,350

  Just overhauled. This horn plays REALLY well. Super nice under the fingers, great response. Plays, feels, and responds better than most 5 digit tenors out there. If you want the loud, powerful late VI tenor sound, this is hard to beat.

  This is a mechanically very clean original lacquer Selmer Mark VI Tenor saxophone with American engraving. This horn has some speckling in the lacquer, as you can see, but if you look at what counts, this Mark VI tenor is in excellent condition. There’s no damage, no resolders, neck is in great condition. It JUST got a complete overhaul / restoration done, and it’s back to factory fresh mechanical and pad condition.  (An overhaul takes around 25 hours of skilled work, and represents a big added value to any saxophone.) That means all new pads, corks, felts, setup, mechanical work, neck fit – whatever it needs in order to play like a new horn.

  The later VI tenors are excellent players. Better tone and feel for the dollar than almost any other saxophone that you can buy period. And this one is mechanically very nice, which is what you want. If you have been wanting a solid pro tenor that is easy to play and sounds excellent, but is in the mid-range of price for a pro tenor, that’s this. Plus, rather than depreciate like a new horn, this Mark VI tenor will go up in value, and will be easy to re-sell at any point later. Buy it and get playing!
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone 1959 Great Player! Original Lacquer 79919

  $ 11,450

  This is one of the most desirable versions of the Selmer Mark VI Tenor ever made. Original lacquer, American-engraved from 1959. The original neck has the matching serial number, and the neck is EXTREMELY nice shape. Usually original necks don’t look quite this good. My personal (favorite of all time) VI tenor is 81k serial, and this is 79919, so they were made only a few months apart, and play virtually identically. The tone is dark, centered, and rich, and brightens up and gets a bit of an edge to it when pushed. Not as bright and projecting as an 87xxx for example, and the extra focus and complexity of the tone gives it a special beauty. It’s very free blowing and responsive. This tenor had a dent removed from the back of the body tube that was basically right behind the spatula keys, near the bell/body brace. You can still see some evidence of it having been removed, but it was removed so well (by Aaron Barnard) that it is almost not there anymore. Besides that, you have a few small dents removed here and there – a couple removed from the bow area (front and back), very small one or two on the bell flare, and one under the D palm key. Just normal stuff for a 60 year-old horn that has been played professionally.

  Repair wise, this tenor received a fresh overhaul a few years ago, done by David Saull (Denver, CO) who works on tons of pro horns in that area and has an excellent reputation. It feels great under the fingers with a nice, snappy, ‘dry’ pad feel and very even action. Tunes well, altissimo is easy, low notes are easy. Just what you’d hope for from an excellent VI.

  It comes in a brand new BAM case. It’s in a Softpack in the photos, which is one of my favorites for an all-around BAM tenor case, as it has some storage under the horn, and a separate place for the neck, but it is nice and small and light to pack around. Comes with backpack straps as well. You can swap this out towards another case if you want a different BAM or something else. Happy to make it work for you. 2% discount with a low-fee payment method (bank transfer, transferwise, check, venmo etc.).

  Priced to sell. You don’t normally see a 1959 in the 80k serial range selling for this kind of price. Could be much higher, but it’s on consignment, and the owner wants it to move quickly.

  Only one available!
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone 1968 Original Lacquer Very Good Condition 151919

  $ 7,950
• 

  Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone from 1970 American Engraved

  $ 6,450

  This is a beautiful example of a Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone from 1970. It is American engraved and assembled. The entire horn is original lacquer. Except for the neck, which has been relacquered, but still completely matches the horn in look and color. The neck evidently had a dent removed under the octave key, and the original owner wanted it to look as good as the horn, so had the dent removed and the neck resprayed. Anyway, it’s not a big deal playing wise, but I’m lowering the price of the horn by around $1500 to give someone a great deal on an original lacquer VI in excellent condition that is also cheaper than buying just a regular new Selmer tenor sax. Compared to a new Series II tenor, or a new Ref 54 or (gasp) Ref 36, you are saving hundreds to several thousands of dollars and getting a horn that is better made, plays better for almost any style but classical (nod to the Series II and III purists here) and will hold its value or go up in value rather than going down like a new Selmer would.

  To keep the price low, I’m selling it with all of its original pads still intact. It actually still plays quite well on the original pads, and seals up with little ‘note like’ pad pops all the way down to Bb. It’s a joy to feel the high quality pad work that Selmer Elkhart did on its original factory setups.

  All in all, this horn is in AMAZING physical condition. You very rarely find original lacquer horns that are 48 years old that look so great. It’s a great opportunity for someone to score a really eye-turning VI tenor for a discounted price.

  Only one available.

   
• Sold Out

  Selmer Mark VII Alto Excellent Condition Original Lacquer Original Pads 281771

  $ 2,650

  The Selmer Mark VII alto is a lot like a late Mark VI, but with different keywork that is designed for slightly larger hands, and with a little bit more powerful and brassy tone. These are very good altos, and they are extremely well-built – better built than new Selmers are today by all accounts. This Selmer Mark VII alto is original lacquer, and it is on consignment from the original owner, who bought it new in Paris in the 1970’s. It still has its original pads intact, and we are leaving it that way for consignment, so that the new owner can buy the horn for a really good price, and get the pads replaced at that point. It will need a full repad, but that’s why the price is so unbelievably low for an original lacquer Selmer Paris alto like this.

  It is in excellent condition, with just some speckling in the lacquer in places, and minimal wear from use. No dents or resolders at all. The original neck is in great shape as well.

  Only one available.

   
• 

  Selmer Mark VII Alto Saxophone 244831 Excellent Original Lacquer American Engraving Near Perfect

  $ 3,650

  The Selmer Mark VII, the last remaining relative bargain Selmer-wise, is a very well-built vintage Selmer with a slightly odd left hand pinky table, but it more than makes up for it with quality, value, and tone.  Speaking of tone, the VII alto features the same big, powerful, and deep tone of a late VI alto, and I find them to be very similar (and I really like late VI altos, especially the American-assembled ones).

  This particular instrument has recently been serviced, and plays very well on a mix of older (some original) and newer pads.  It has not seen much use in its life based on how little wear it has, and the lacquer is original and in extremely good condition.  There is no evidence of past repairs, dentwork, or resoldering, and the original case is still in very good condition as well. The ergonomics, although slightly different from a VI (and the following model, the Super Action 80)  in the left hand pinky table and Eb/C spatulas, are easy to get used to, and some players with large hands even find it preferable over a VI. I possess hands of merely average size, but I don’t find it to be different enough that I really notice it at all in playing.  
  
  All in all, this is an excellent condition alto that plays very well and represents an uncommonly good value for a Selmer.  
• 

  Selmer Series II Alto Saxophone 517537 SA80-II Excellent Condition Great Price!

  $ 3,450

  Save thousands of dollars getting this beautiful condition used Selmer Series II alto. This instrument has very little wear, and comes to you in excellent condition. It just got several new pads and a thorough setup, so it is playing very well and effortlessly throughout. As I’m sure you know, the Series II is the standard, go-to alto saxophone for serious saxophone study. You never need to upgrade it, and you can take it to college for saxophone study and it will be in good company there with a lot of other Series II’s and III’s. The tone is balanced, warm, clear and round, with a lyrical core tone and very good intonation. The Series II likes to have a classical style or concert mouthpiece like a Selmer S80 C* or D, or a Selmer Concept etc. Lots of other mouthpieces work, but if you’re not sure what to get, then get one of those two.

  Saxophones don’t really wear out if you maintain them, so there’s really no reason not to save a few thousand dollars on a nice used example of one of the most popular professional alto saxophones. You can keep this for the rest of your life and play it. It will hold its value as long as you own it. These are only going to go up in price over time.
• 

  Selmer Series III Alto Saxophone SOLID Sterling SILVER Near Mint Getting Overhauled!

  $ 10,000

  Just freshly overhauled!! This alto has the distinction of being the best playing classical alto saxophone that I have played. Ever.

  If you are not used to used saxophones, that means someone with a bunch of years of training in the craft of saxophone repair is going to be spending somewhere around 25-30 hours of skilled labor on this saxophone to make it totally fresh and new (better than new). It costs somewhere around $1000-1500 to have done. It will play so much better than any other Series III you might find for sale that you will be surprised that they are even the same model of saxophone. Not kidding.

  If you play classical alto and you want to play the best, and set yourself apart tonally from the crowd, this is your dream alto. There really is nothing like it. I try to avoid overusing superlatives in saxophone descriptions, but this horn deserves them. The tone is dark and centered, and it has a haunting quality that is extra special among saxophones. This is the alto for a serious alto player who wants something that is built for saxophone study and performance. These are especially nice for classical playing. Doug O’Connor’s tone on one of these has left a lasting impression on me. Just gorgeous. I recently got to hear Doug play the Bach Chaconne on this alto, among other pieces, and I have to say, it was a high point for me in experiencing transcendent music on the saxophone.

  There’s no damage, no wear, no past repairs. This horn has not been played much since new, and it’s in near mint condition. The neck is great. The whole horn tunes well with a classical setup. You can buy one of these new for $18329 online, or you can get this one OVERHAULED!  for right around half price here. It’s a great investment if you are wanting the best.

  Original case, fresh overhaul, and the original S80 mouthpiece is included also.
• 

  Tenor Madness Custom 500SL Tenor Saxophone Cognac Lacquer High F# Effortless Player Newest Model L01110

  $ 4,500

  This is the best TM Custom tenor that I have played so far. It is brand new, plus it got a new horn setup on top of that. This is the new light body tube version of the 500SL model, and it is a truly effortless player. The intonation is excellent throughout. This bore is designed to have the F# tone hole present, so the tuning is excellent and altissimo is easy including the handy high F# key. The low notes are nice and saturated even at pp, and the horn will shake in your hands if you push it to ff. The palm key tone stays more full and rich than on most Taiwanese tenors that I have played (like P Mauriat etc.). The neck on this tenor is modeled on an early Mark VI tenor neck, and you do in fact get a Selmer-ish tone on it. I am impressed that you can get a horn this good for this price that has been thoroughly setup in the USA by TenorMadness pre-sale.

  The hand engraving is inspired by 50’s Selmer engraving, and it is of course gorgeous. The lacquer color is as well. This is one of the best looking tenors on the market today for sure. It comes in a contoured case that should be good for shipping and gigging.

  If you’re looking for an easy, turn-key purchase for a high-quality modern horn that is darker and more complex than some other new horns on the market, and that is really dependably easy to play, this would be a great choice. Really no matter what style of music you play, this horn gets the job done.

  Only one available!
• Sold Out

  Yamaha / Ishimori Woodstone 82ZWS 2 Custom Necks Alto Saxophone D76004
• 

  Yamaha YAS-62 Alto Purple Logo 1980’s Near Mint Original Pads 11173

  $ 2,100

  The ‘purple logo’ Yamaha YAS-62 alto saxophone from the 1980’s is one of my favorite all-around alto saxophones made. It has a surprisingly ‘fat’ sound – meaning it doesn’t thin out or get nasal even if you push it to the limit, as Dave Koz has been doing with his 62 (same vintage as this but in silver plate) for around 35 years. Not that you have to go for that aggressive sort of tone, but you can hear how, even with a metal, high baffle mouthpiece that is as bright as you can get on alto, the tone still has warmth and depth to it.

  This particular 62 alto sax is nearly as nice an example as I have seen. It has a little bit of ‘acid bleed’ around the foot of the Eb/C post, and a small, 1/4″ scratch on the back of the body tube near the strap hook, and that’s really about it versus being a new horn! The pads are still completely original, though I may get a few pads replaced so it plays well on the original setup. Right now, it plays really big and rich, from low D on up through the rest of the range, but hey, the pads are about 35 years old, so I’m sure it would play better with new pads. For now, I’m pricing it on the very low side for quick sale. You would be hard pressed to find a better alto saxophone with modern keywork in this price range. But do budget some money for pads down the road. If you’re really on a budget, I have another one of these, also in good shape, but with more wear that I can sell for even less. And on the other hand, if you want one that has a fresh, high-end overhaul, and plays at 100% of its potential, has all-new everything, and will not need signficant work for many years, I also have one of those just listed for sale with a full overhaul, if you want to check the current Yamaha listings. . I love these purple logo 62’s, so I will try to keep them in stock
• 

  Yamaha YAS-62 Alto Saxophone Good Condition Great Deal!

  $ 1,550

  The Yamaha 62 is one of the best modern altos made. It’s probably the #1 choice for a pro alto for most people buying a first good saxophone over the past 20 years or so, because it gets you pro quality for a price that is lower than anything else on the market that is similarly good (with the exception of the Yanagisawa A901, which is also fantastic and in this price range, but less widely known.)

  This particular example has been played quite a bit. It shows cosmetic wear from regular use, and the pads are also old. I will eventually get the pads replaced, but in the meantime, it is listed for a super price, and you can simply buy it, take it in, and get the pads replaced yourself and save some money. This is the 62-1, and is probably from around the early 1990’s. Just give it a repad, and you will have yourself an excellent alto that does everything well. These have great tone; great intonation; easy, ergonomic keywork; and they are very reliable to own and play.

  Only one available!
• 

  Yamaha YAS-62 II Alto Saxophone Excellent Condition Professional Great Deal!

  $ 2,450
• 

  Yamaha YAS-82z Alto Very Good Condition Plays Great Just Serviced

  $ 3,150

  If you want a modern alto that is tried and true and that will do it all, the Yamaha 82z is the horn for you. This one is nice and clean, original lacquer of course, and it has been very well cared-for since new. It just got all new sprung-open pads, so most of the pads are new, and all of the rest of them are in great shape, so this horn is ready to go for a long time with only minor regular maintenance to keep it playing its best (much like a new Yamaha). If you want a brand new 82Z, I can also sell you one of those that also has the GetASax new horn setup already done on it!

  As for this one, it’s a smart purchase. When you buy a used modern horn, as I have often said, you are buying not just the cosmetic condition, but also the pad condition. This one is playing great, all nicely setup, and ready to go for a long time. You won’t need to drop $500 on getting the pads replaced like you would on many other used Yamaha YAS-82Z altos out there. It’s a turn key purchase, and you get a horn that is reliable, dependable, and that sounds and responds extremely well.

  For comfort of keywork, easy intonation, tone, playability, versatility, and build quality, it is really hard to beat the Yamaha custom saxophones. This should be a great pro alto for someone, or a great step up alto that you never need to upgrade for a serious student. There’s really no reason to ever buy a student alto if you can afford a used pro alto like this. The pro horn is easier to play and holds its value extremely well over time. Buy it now and get playing!

  Only one available!
• 

  Yamaha YAS-82ZB Rare Black Lacquer Excellent Condition

  $ 3,250

  If you want a modern alto that is tried and true and that will do it all, the Yamaha 82z is the horn for you. This one is nice and clean, original BLACK lacquer of course, and it has been very well cared-for since new. Black lacquer is an expensive, special order item from Yamaha, making it way rarer than the standard lacquered brass finish. I love the look of the engraving cutting through the black lacquer down to the brass. It is probably the most beautiful finish option that Yamaha offers, and it really turns heads. It also makes the horn more valuable, and makes it easier to sell down the road, should you ever want to. With a used pro horn like this, you can always get almost all your purchase price back out when selling, because pro saxophones don’t wear out if maintained, and new ones keep getting more expensive all the time.

  This YAS-82ZB alto sax just got a bunch of new pads, so most of the pads are new, and all of the rest of them are in great shape, so this horn is ready to go for a long time with only minor regular maintenance to keep it playing its best (much like a new Yamaha). If you want a brand new 82Z, I can also sell you one of those that also has the GetASax new horn setup already done on it!

  As for this one, it’s a smart purchase. When you buy a used modern horn, as I have often said, you are buying not just the cosmetic condition, but also the pad condition. This one is playing great, all nicely setup, and ready to go for a long time. You won’t need to drop $500 on getting the pads replaced like you would on many other used Yamaha YAS-82Z altos out there. It’s a turn key purchase, and you get a horn that is reliable, dependable, and that sounds and responds extremely well.

  For comfort of keywork, easy intonation, tone, playability, versatility, and build quality, it is really hard to beat the Yamaha custom saxophones. This should be a great pro alto for someone, or a great step up alto that you never need to upgrade for a serious student. There’s really no reason to ever buy a student alto if you can afford a used pro alto like this. The pro horn is easier to play and holds its value extremely well over time. Buy it now and get playing!

  Only one available!
• 

  Yamaha YAS-875EX Alto Near Mint Condition Plays Great V1 Neck

  $ 3,250

  The Yamaha 875EX is a top of the line professional Yamaha Custom alto saxophone that just gets the job done. It is a precision machine with top of the line intonation, response, and keywork. The tone is clear and medium bright and round. You can, of course, play any style on one of these, but they are very popular among classical saxophonists, because the round tone, when darkened up with a darker mouthpeice and reed, sounds very cello like and gorgeous. Plus the intonation makes classical and quartet work almost absurdly easy compared to most other saxophones. Some programs even require this model! This one has the desirable V1 neck, which seems to be Yamaha’s most popular neck version yet.

  This particular example is in beautiful condition with only very minor wear from normal use. This is merely cosmetic, as saxophones do not really wear out if properly maintained. This 875EX comes with a thorough playing condition job included in the price, so that you receive it in excellent playing condition. The pads are in great shape, and the whole instrument is in excellent condition without any damage or problems at all. There are no past repairs or hidden problems either. It’s a nice, turn-key purchase for one of the finest saxophones made today.

  Only one available. If you want a brand new 875EX, I would be happy to get you one, and all new horns purchased through GetASax also include a thorough new horn setup and a full Yamaha warranty.
• 

  Yamaha YTS-475 Intermediate Tenor Saxophone Good Playing Condition Great Value! 298213

  $ 1,600

  Great deal on one of the best intermediate tenor saxophones on the market. The Yamaha 475 is made in Japan and plays a lot like a YTS-62, but costs less. This tenor has been played a fair amount. The pads are sealing pretty well right now, but it is a mix of older and newer pads. The neck had a dent removed, and it was done well, so it looks good now. If you want a very well-built tenor, that feels good, tunes well, and is easy on the budget, this is it. Don’t waste your money on a new no-name sax. Those will be worth peanuts as soon as they are used. Yamaha horns are quality and hold their value really well. You can basically play it and enjoy it and sell it later for right around what you paid. Hard to beat.
• Sold Out

  Yamaha YTS-82Z Tenor Fully Engraved Amazing! Full Repad by Matt Stohrer

  $ 5,950

  WOW! This is one special Yamaha tenor. As soon as I saw it for sale, I had to have it. I have been a fan of Jaice Dumars’ engraving work for years, but I have never been able to cajole him into engraving anything for me (he has another full-time job). When I saw this rare chance to buy a horn he had worked on, it was a no-brainer. Dumars’ engraving combines what he has learned from vintage King, Conn and other engraving, and combines that with his own style and creative flair. The way that the rather uninspiring Yamaha ‘fat starfish’ (sorry, now you can’t un-see that) engraving is incorporated into a coherent larger work is particularly impressive. Also note on the neck, how it’s the unengraved space that makes the pattern!

  OK so take a great horn – the 82z Custom by Yamaha, and add to that Dumars engraving, but then add to that a full repad by Matt Stohrer, and that’s what you’re getting here. If you don’t know Matt Stohrer, he does some of the best pad work anywhere, in my opinion. He is always booked up for repairs, sometimes for as much as a couple of years’ time. His pad work is super clean, thorough, and precise. The horn feels great under the fingers and responds right away with a warm, free blowing tone. The intonation is of course great (this is a Yamaha, after all.). It’s the kind of tenor that you just don’t want to put down. And all for less than the price of one of the custom atelier Yamahas new, which is kind of nuts.

  Only one available!
• 

  Yanagisawa A880 Alto Saxophone Great Deal 113836

  $ 1,850

  The Yanagisawa A880 is one of my favorite modern altos. It combines Yanagisawa’s superior build quality, ergonomics and intonation, with a tone that is warmer, more complex and wide than later Yanagisawas. It plays beautifully and feels great under the fingers, with fully modern keywork. It’s an excellent choice for a top quality modern professional alto in good playing condition that is priced quite reasonably. This one has a mix of pads and plays well on them. There’s some wear in the lacquer, of course, but it’s not bad. Saxophones don’t really wear out, if you maintain them, so this horn has many decades of usable life left it, despite having a bit of wear in the finish just from regular use.

  I’m also including the nice contoured case with this one. It has backpack straps and is nice and light for carrying.

  Only one available!
• Sold Out

  Yanagisawa S6 Soprano Good Condition
• 

  Yanagisawa S991 Soprano Two Necks Excellent Condition Plays Great!

  $ 3,150

  The Yanagisawa S991 is the Acura of soprano saxophones. It is built to extremely high standards, lasts forever, plays in tune, is easy to use. Basically, it does everything well. This horn is in excellent condition with only minor cosmetic wear from regular use. There is no past damage, and it comes in excellent playing condition. It just got a thorough tune up and is playing its best. The Yanagisawa S991 soprano has a rich, warm tone that is pleasant to listen to whether you are playing jazz, classical, or commercial music. I was just playing the Bach ‘Little’ Fugue in G minor on this soprano, and it really is almost the ideal instrument for the job. The intonation is just right on throughout, and the keywork is super comfortable and fast.

  Original case is in nice shape. I’ll post photos of the case and curved neck soon (oops), but they look much like the horn and straight neck. They are included. If you have been looking for a great soprano for a great price that is easy to play and reliable, this is it!
• 

  Yanagisawa SC-9930 Curved Soprano Saxophone with High G! Rare

  $ 4,150

  For those of you who love to have the best and rarest at the same time, here is my favorite vintage of curved soprano ever made, the Yanagisawa SC-991, but this is in the solid silver neck and body tube version, which is SC-9930, AND it is one of the rare ones that came with the high G key included. This is the first one like this that I have seen, and it’s cool in a nerdy kind of way to have such a rare and fabulous example. You can order a new SC-9930 for $6730, but your extra $$$ won’t get you the high G! Nor will it be the warmer, fuller-sounding version from the 90’s like this with the bell keys on the left. My personal soprano is one just like this but brass, and I think it sounds better than the right hand bell keys version at least by a little bit. I also like the more direct action that you get with the pinky keys on the left hand bell key configuration. We’re splitting hairs here, but hey, if you’re in the rarified territory of exceptional curved sopranos, then maybe that’s your thing too.

  Condition wise, this SC-9930 is in very good shape, with no significant past repairs or current problems at all. I have not spent any money on pad work yet, as I’m trying to keep the price as low as possible, and the horn plays fine on current pads. I would like to sell it a little higher and spend maybe $250 on a thorough setup, so you can have that as an optional extra if you want.

  Original case and mouthpiece are in good shape as well. There is most certainly only one of these available!