Description

I have been spending the last couple of years getting to know King saxophones better. Kings have a bit of a learning curve because there are so many different versions of the Super 20 and Zephyr and each version has its particular features. This is one of the best versions of the Super 20, and comes from 1957. It is usually called a “series 3” Super 20 online, and comes just after the ones with pearl side keys. It plays and sounds very much like those, but it has more modern left hand pinky keys, so it is easier to play for many modern players.

It has original lacquer and a solid silver, double socket neck. This is the version of Super 20 with more modern LH pinky keys, which are quite comfortable, and which will remind you very much of a modern horn, even though this is almost 60 years old. The lacquer is a beautiful honey gold, and the horn looks great. It is difficult to emphasize enough how fun it is to play a good Super 20 like this. It is the only horn that competes price wise with the Selmer Mark VI, and with good reason – these things are great. More rich, and complex than a modern Yamaha etc, but naturally full-bodied and projecting. Cannonball Adderley famously played a Super 20, and I suspect that his tone is more than anyone else’s – the quintessential jazz alto sound. I think that so many jazz alto players who change horns a lot are actually on some level looking for a good Super 20 like this. That’s what I play on alto as well, so if you buy this, welcome to the club.

In terms of cosmetic condition, this horn has been played, so it shows some normal lacquer wear from that. It came to me with no dents, but it looks like a couple of small ones were removed from the back of the bow: I would say probably one or two small ones from the back of the bow, and one above the serial number stamp on the back of the body. The bell flare also has a little line of lacquer wear where it was probably slightly bent at some point. These minor past repairs look good now and were probably fixed long ago. I don’t see any resoldered posts or anything, and the neck also looks gorgeous. It’s a sweet example of a Super 20. It is sold in excellent playing condition with a mix of pads, and it plays great. Grab this now and start playing. I don’t think you’ll regret it! If you like Cannonball Adderley’s alto tone, this is the horn for you.

This serial range is by far the best deal on a Super 20, so if you want a horn that is sure to go up in value while you own it, get ones of these.

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This saxophone is sold! But click HERE to see our current selection of alto saxophones.