Lacquer

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

    $ 850

  • Buescher Big B Alto Saxophone Original Lacquer Good Condition 324407

    $ 1,600

    This is a 1949 Buescher “Big B” Aristocrat, so named for the ornate engraving of a, well, a Big B on the bell.  This horn is in very good condition, and the typical wear around the fine engraving of the B on the bell is not present, which indicates that this horn has led a life mostly in a closet somewhere.  There are no resolders or past dentwork to speak of, and it plays *way* better than it should on some very old pads, but you would want to get this repadded to play like it can, which is very, very good!  

    These horns are undervalued in my opinion.  I mean, you can get this one in such great shape with all of its original Snap-on resonators and overhaul it for not a lot more than a Yamaha student model in total- seems like a good buy to me!  Johnny Hodges famously played one of these, and his tone is a very good example of the blend of sweetness and power these horns possess.

  • 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.

  • Sale!

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

    $ 3,850 $ 3,150

    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 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 322571

    $ 2,450

    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. I am planning to get this overhauled soon if it doesn’t sell at the lower price with current pads. It was overhauled before I got it, but I don’t like the way the pads feel, and it would be better to just redo it for long term enjoyment.  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 10M tenor.

  • Sold Out

    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 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 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!

  • 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.

  • Ishimori Woodstone New Vintage Tenor VL with F# NEW Dark Lacquer Tenor Saxophone

    $ 4,750

    Only one available of these highly-desirable New Vintage tenor saxophones from Ishimori, Japan’s premiere saxophone repair shop. These tenors stand out from the crowd with their excellent new horn setup done in the Ishimori workshop. The Ishimori New Vintage tenors hold up extremely well over time, and every detail of construction and assembly is optimized for ease of play. The tone on this Ishimori tenor is meant to remind you of a vintage Selmer – to my ear, it plays like a late SBA – not as loud and wide open as some later Mark VI’s, but more focused than earlier Selmers also. The neck and the engraving both are  meant to evoke the Selmer Super Balanced Action, so I suspect that the neck is an SBA bore. The tuning is excellent. This body tube is designed to have the high F# tone hole present, so it tunes well with the high F#, and that’s also just a convenient feature. Lacquer is gorgeous, as is the hand engraving.

    Ishimori New Vintage tenors play so effortlessly, they sell themselves. Every time one comes in the shop, it sells almost immediately. I have one in stock coming next week. Get it now!

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

    $ 6,000

  • King Silversonic Tenor Excellent Condition Original Lacquer Silver Neck + Bell + Treypack 448262

    $ 5,350

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

    $ 5,350

    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!

     

  • King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone 1957 Near Mint Original Lacquer

    $ 4,850

    Holy cow! This is the nicest example of a ’57 King Super 20 that I have had the pleasure of selling. It’s original pads now, which is super cool. Nobody has messed with it at all. Of course, it will need an overhaul (pads are 63 years old) to play its best. 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 saxophonse 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! This is the same horn as in the demo, just made a year or two later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBoeWeRyy-o 

     

  • King Super 20 Tenor Saxophone 1968 Original Lacquer 439538

    $ 2,650
  • Sold Out

    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!

  • NOVA Woodwinds Lacquered Brass Low A Baritone Saxophone NEW Great Deal!

    $ 2,200

    Introducing the new NOVA Woodwinds line of instruments. The NOVA Woodwinds line meets a need in the marketplace for a lower-priced Low A Baritone saxophone that is still good quality. People have been asking me for years if I can recommend anything in the sub-$3500 price range for a low A baritone. I have had to scrounge for deals on used Yamaha or Yanagisawa baritones, but if the used baritones need a repad or other repairs, then you’re immediately back in the $4k price range, so it really is hard to get anything decent, particularly around $2500-3500. That’s where the NOVA baritone shines. For only $2200, you get a NOVA baritone (NOVA means ‘new’ in Latin) that is brand new and plays quite well, and that holds up well over time by all accounts.

    If you are shopping for a baritone saxophone, whether for a school band program, for doubling and taking extra gigs on bari, or just for playing some sick funk lines with your Tower of Power cover band, this horn is worth a look.  It is very similar to, and made in the same factory as the Kessler Custom Soloist baritone saxophone. This is made in China and based on the Yanagisawa B901 baritone design, though it is not identical to it. Yanagisawa makes the best baritones in the world, and I would be happy to get you a great price on a new Yanagisawa as well, but in this price range, the NOVA Woodwinds baritone is very hard to beat. I have friends who have used this bari in their band programs for years, and it holds up to punishment by middle and high school students quite well. That’s saying a lot!

    It comes in this version, which is brass, and then in the bronze version also. The bronze is a slightly darker tone, and gives you the two tone look, where the all brass like this just looks like a typical new saxophone. You won’t go wrong with either one. Both of them include the pictured hard case which has wheels, as well as the other accessories in the photos. I would recommend a Yamaha 5C or Rousseau for an inexpensive beginner baritone mouthpiece for concert band, and the Rico Metalite bari for jazz, or there are lots of other options getting listed in the baritone mouthpieces section of the site. 

    These low A baritone saxophones tend to sell quickly, so please let me know if you are wanting to order more than one, so that I can be sure to order them far enough in advance to fill your order quickly.

  • 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.

  • Sold Out

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

    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 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!

  • Sold Out

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

    $ 7,500

    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 1967 146243 Original Lacquer Excellent Condition!

    $ 10,500
  • Sold Out

    Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone 1969 176329 Original Lacquer Original Pads Excellent Condition

    Beautiful example of an original lacquer Selmer Mark VI Alto saxophone. This instrument had only one owner, who took great care of it. It still has almost all of its original pads, and it has never been repaired. There are no dents, no dings, and no resolders. The neck is in excellent condition and has not been pulled down. A few small dings were removed when I got it – one on the bell, and a couple on the back of the bow area. They are quite hard to see now.

    The Mark VI altos made in the late 60’s are probably the best overall buy among pro altos today for people who want the Selmer style keywork. It wasn’t till the mid 60’s that Selmer finally figured everything out on its Mark VI alto. The early VI’s are good too and have a darker, more compact tone, but by the mid 60’s you get a real sweet spot of one alto with the following features: excellent intonation, including low register and including with a classical or concert setup; even scale; a warm, medium bright tone that is neither brash, nor shrill, nor stuffy; great response and projection. Take all that, and add the basic Mark VI ‘French’ lyrical core tone, and the comfortable Selmer keywork, and unbeatable build quality, and you have a really superb alto saxophone.

    It’s a good buy for all of the above reasons, and because it will definitely continue to go up in value over time. Higher-end Taiwanese horns are now selling for $4500+ new, when you can get a beautiful, original lacquer Selmer Mark VI for not much more. It’s kind of wild. And it’s a good time to buy a vintage Selmer for that reason, among many others. Nothing is more all-around satisfying to play and own, and nothing has stood the test of time better than the Mark VI.

    Only one available!

  • Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone Original Lacquer and Pads Excellent! 192152

    $ 5,500
  • Selmer Mark VI Alto MK 6 Original Lacquer for sale

    Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone Original Overhauled Excellent! 165069

    $ 6,750

    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 Tenor 195260 Original Lacquer American-Engraved Plays Well

    $ 5,950

  • 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!

  • Sold Out

    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.

     

  • Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Original Lacquer American Engraved Just Overhauled Plays Effortlessly 195xxx

    $ 6,350

    Full description coming soon! This is an effortless player! A nice, clean original lacquer American-engraved Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone that also just got a complete overhaul. If you’re looking for a nice tenor to play and keep and just enjoy, this would be hard to beat!

  • Selmer Mark VII Tenor Original Lacquer Good Condition Great Deal 272768

    $ 2,950

  • Selmer Radio Improved Alto Original Lacquer Excellent Condition Getting Overhauled Now

    $ 4,950

    Original lacquer Selmer Radio Improved alto saxophone! This is a rare beauty among vintage Selmers, with a sweetness and beauty all its own. The keywork is comfortable as well, which is why Jimmy Dorsey wanted to keep this style of keywork even after Selmer changed to the ‘Balanced Action’ design shortly after. These are just beautiful players – warm, spread, lyrical, and sweet – most of what you want in a top quality vintage alto. Plus this one is in beautiful original lacquer with minimal past repairs and comes with a fresh, full overhaul! Radio Improved Selmers are very popular these days, and getting more popular all the time, as alto players catch on to the unique tone that you can get on one. This is a great purchase that you will enjoy playing for many years with minimal upkeep, and that will go up in value while you own it. There are not many nicer Radio Improved alto saxophones out there!

    Only one available!

  • Selmer Reference 54 Alto Saxophone Excellent Condition Great Deal! 759265

    $ 4,450

  • 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.

  • Sold Out

    Selmer Series III Alto Saxophone SOLID Sterling SILVER Near Mint w/ Full Overhaul

    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!

  • Yamaha YAS-62 Alto Good Condition Original Lacquer Great Deal C39253

    $ 1,800

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

    $ 2,450

    If you want a Yamaha 62 that has all new pads and feels like a million bucks, this is it. It really plays great, with super-flat, snappy pad seats. This horn got a full repad, which means all new pads, but it didn’t need a mechanical overhaul (keywork didn’t need restored), and it didn’t need all new corks and felts, though it has many new corks and felts. That’s simply to keep the cost down and get you a horn that is totally ready to go and will not need significant work for many years, besides just occasional check ups. The Yamaha YAS-62 is a great value, because it’s a professional alto, but sells for less money, and is easily good enough to last you all the way through college or for as long as you want to play it. You never need to upgrade. And you save a lot of money versus buying new, and the saxophone also retains all or most of its resale value. Especially with the kind of pad work this one has. Just play it, and it sells itself.

    Only one available!

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

    $ 1,850

    Just tuned up completely, and playing its best!

    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.  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!

  • Sold Out

    Yanagisawa A880 Alto Saxophone Fresh Overhaul! Great Deal 113836

    $ 2,500

    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, 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 horn has a fresh full overhaul done very nicely, and it feels like a new saxophone under the fingers. It has all new pads, corks, and felts, and it is mechanically tight and really great overall. That’s about a $1k job to overhaul a modern alto like this and do it right, so that’s a big added value for you. It means the horn will not need any significant work besides occasional checkups for many years! The only real past repair on this is the bow guard that was unsoldered to remove a dent at some point. It was done well, and it looks very good. Neck is in great shape, bell flare and body tube are undamaged. And under the fingers, it feels dry and snappy and fast.

    The 880 is such a great horn. I have one of these myself in my little collection of my favorite altos of all time. The reason it stands out is that it has some of the warmth and complexity of a vintage saxophone, while handling like a Lexus and tuning super easily.

    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

  • Sold Out

    Yanagisawa S901 Soprano Excellent Condition Great Player

    $ 2,650

    One of the best sopranos on the market, fully professional quality. This beautiful Yanagisawa S901 soprano is in excellent condition, barely used, and comes to you in top playing condition, for a discount price. What’s not to love? You can’t beat Yanagisawa for build quality, intonation, and feel. And coming in at this kind of price, it beats even intermediate sopranos of other brands. As you probably know the S901 is the professional soprano that is one piece, where the S991 is the more expensive two neck version. The one piece version like this feels a bit lighter and has a nice resonant vibration to it when you play louder volumes. I love the tone of these as well, and they tune with most mouthpieces.

    Only one available!

  • Sold Out

    Yanagisawa S991 Soprano Two Necks Excellent Condition Plays Great!

    $ 2,950

    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. 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!