King Soprano

[Hesso]

I have a King Silver Plated w/gold bell soprano that I want to sell. I would like know if anyone has any advice on where is the best place to sell it. The serial number is 81xxx. It was overhauled at Meridian Winds in the late 90's. I'm a Tenor player at heart and thought I would try to learn the Sop, but I just can't get my arms around it. It also has a metal Silver Plated Selmer mthpiece (C* I believe), and the original case. It's in excellent shape with only a small minor nick near the upper octave key.

Anyone?

Greg

[xuanvu]

Put it on Equipment wanted/for sale in this forum, or Ebay.

[DanY]

I think the general consensus is that ebay undervalues horns that are not mint/super-rare. This forum has an excellent selling thread to try.
Other options: Music shops often sell on consignment (might take ages to sell though).
The good thing about ebay is that hundreds of people will look at your horn. Remember to take good photos and post a good description.

Good luck.

[Hesso]

Thanks for the info.

Greg

[bruce bailey]

So, how much?

[Hesso]

Dang! Hate to committ to a price but here it goes. From the little I'm able to find on the internet and folks in the instrument world, I'm guessing around $1100-$1200. That includes the metal Selmer C* mouthpiece and either the original case or a ProTec cordura case I bought for it.

What do you think?

Greg

[Hesso]

Dang! Hate to committ to a price but here it goes. From the little I'm able to find on the internet and folks in the instrument world, I'm guessing around $1100-$1200. That includes the metal Selmer C* mouthpiece and either the original case or a ProTec cordura case I bought for it.

What do you think?

Greg

[Dave Dolson]

Hesso: I'm no expert on vintage sop prices, but here's what I think. I think that price is a little high, given that better-known vintage sops such as Conn, Buescher, and some Martins run in and above that range.

My experience with King sops has been limited, true, but I once owned a King Saxello (that commands higher prices - and for what reason, I don't know, other than the unique look of the tipped bell, curved neck and ultra-small bell keys). The one I owned had a poor scale (just like every other Saxello I've tried). Straight Kings I've tried didn't play much better. Oh sure, there may be good ones out there, I just haven't played them. I'd be inclined not to pay such a price for a King sop when TTs and Conns are available at that price. DAVE

[Hesso]

Dave,
I don't have enough experience with sops in the other models mentioned but I'll take your word for it. Guess I'll have to rely on, "It's worth what someone will pay for it." It is in darn good condition, plus mouthpiece and case. I truly just can't make the switch from my Mark VI Tenor to a soprano. . . of any brand or vintage. I suppose I've got the oral cavity locked in for tenor.

I bought a new Selmer Super Action 80 II in the early nineties. Started seeing the black corrosion coming out from under the solder joints. Sent it directly to Selmer to have it replaced. Two weeks later I rec'd another one but no case. They had bubble wrapped it and shipped it in a box about the size of a small refrigerator. It took another 2-3 weeks to prove to them I sent the original in its case. Doh!

Cases are worth something.

Greg

[Dave Dolson]

Hesso: You are SO right about what one person may be willing to pay. You could go through a thousand offers for small change, then have ONE person come along who is looking for the exact horn you have and is willing to pay. In my opinion, that still doesn't mean every King sop will draw what that one person was willing to pay. Like the vaunted MKVI altos and tenors - folks tend to affix a value to them but they aren't worth a nickel until someone pays money for one, and that certainly doesn't establish a value across the entire model line.

But please don't give up on soprano so easily - many players play tenor and sop and easily adjust to the differences (or even more weird would be bass and alto - and I know several guys who do that with ease). I do alto and sop, even within one tune - it can be done. Maybe you would be more successful with a more user-friendly soprano than your King. If yours plays like others I've played, THAT may be the problem. DAVE

[Dave dix]

I often gig with four saxes(sop,alto,tenor and bari).Playing in a 4 piece i use different horns thru the night to change the bands sound.
The changing of instruments doesn't worry me as i have got used to it and i have set them up with the correct mpc and reeds so you will get used to tenor to sop with practice
Dave

[Hesso]

DAVE/Dave,
I've always liked the feel and sound of the soprano, but I think my issues are the embouchure and oral cavity. My professor got his PhD in 5 woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clar, Sax & Bassoon from UofA. Wow! We discussed at length how one switches instantly from one to another. He also showed me some pics of a guy who back in the 50's had himself X-Ray'd while playing (sax I believe) to see what the oral cavity did. Yikes! Pretty fascinating though.

I was weaned on Tenor and then had to play alto in college for legit stuff. Even though my senior recital was on Alto, it's still the Tenor that I'd have to say "feels natural" when I play it. Strange.

But you guys make some good points. I've also noticed the older players who grew up the older horns seem to have less problems with intonation. Like the brain/embouchure connection is more intact.

Onward.

Greg

[betelsax]

Although I have played tenor for more than twenty years, the soprano has always called to me. I now play it as much, if not more than, my tenor.

But I have an old Conn and an old TT, and they just sing, especially the Buescher. The mouth cavity and embouchure are both somewhat different than what's needed for tenor, but that's no big deal after some practice. It's a good thing to have a little vatriety and choice; it freshens the playing of both instruments.

Your problem, as mentioned in previous posts, may be the King. Those early Kings (pre 1930) were plagued by intonation problems. You just may need a sweeter soprano. See if you can trade up for one. Or sell yours on ebay but don't expect to get much more than $800. You'd be surprised how savvy the sax auction market has become.

A good (clean and recently overhauled) vintage Conn or Buescher can be had, with some intelligent bidding, for around $1000. And that's a real bargain considering the quality of these great saxophones.

[Hesso]

Thanks for the info regarding the King soprano. Darn it though! I haven't even advertised it yet and the price is already dropping. But I suspect you're not far off on your assessment.

Regards,

Greg

[super20dan]

i have a king soprano and as usual dave dolsen is right. its a stinker! worst intonation of any vintage sop i have played. get a conn or buescher

[bruce bailey]

Sell me the King cheap!!!

[betelsax]

Sell me the King cheap!!!

You into atonal music? :?

[bruce bailey]

I like the caliope spund!!!

[super20dan]

bruce -i may take you up on that. but beware my kings intonation is really bad!!!!!.

[Hesso]

Make an offer.

Greg

[bruce bailey]

Photos? My e-mail is a hotmail address - baileyflutes

[Hesso]

On the way shortly.

Greg