GOLD PLATED Gold Medal I...worth?

[jjgold]

I stumbled on a BRAND NEW (literally) Gold Medal I. The owner, his grandma bought it for him when she learned her daughter was pregnant, never played the saxophone. He is almost sure it is gold plated. I see it Wednesday. What do you think it is worth?

thanks

[jjgold]

Oh yeah..it is a tenor!!!

[Pete]

Quite a bit. I've never seen a glod plated Gold Medal, so I'd want pictures.

I'll fire up the pricelist when I get home tonight. I've got a couple gold plated Rev. D's on that list.

[Pete]

jjgold has to get this horn, because it matches his name.

OK, I told Mr. Gold I'd get back to him on the prices of Rev. D gold-plated horns -- because, as said, I have not seen a gold-plated Gold Medal.

* Low: $1250 (this was an "average condition" horn)
* Average: $2500
* High: $3500 (this was an overhauled horn in great shape)

(Small sample, as will be the case with all SML horns: this was 5.)

The prices are creeping up a bit as the years progress and my data is 1 year out of date (curses!), but it was a compilation of CLOSED eBay auctions and postings on vintage saxophone dealers.

These prices are very close to being in line with LACQUER SML Gold Medal horns. I'll post that data in a couple days; I'm still doing housecleaning on the SML area.

EDIT: I'm incorrect on this line, so I deleted it.

[Sigmund451]

If you dont buy it forward info to me...interested

[jjgold]

Here is the hook, like I told Saxpics, it is indeed gold plated. The guy took it to a jeweler and had it tested. But, he is almost impossible to deal with because he goes on and on about how this is a one of one horn and this horn has special engraving and the jeweler told him the gold is worth $6-$8k! Now he thinks the horn is worth "at least $10,000". He is NOT a sax guy! He had NO idea the worth! I was very honest and tried to kinda help and told him that although they are groovy horns and it was collectable, he had an unrealistic view of the what the value might be. I kinda explained had it been a Selmer (or other brand, Conn, King, etc.) and was gold plated that it would be much more collectable. He was getting really steamed so I just let it go. He really does not need the bread but he seems to be VERY proud of not only this horn but everything else he owns. Some folks I guess are just the perfect creation and that makes all their belongings perfect creations also!

[Pete]

Reposting what I sent jjgold,

"If the SML was a popular instrument, like a Conn, Selmer, or Buescher, yes, factory gold plate could almost double the value of a 'base' horn. Unfortunately, the SML isn't extremely popular, so you can't say that gold plate doubles the value of the horn. Heck, gold-plated Dolnets (for instance) only go for slightly more than their silver-plated brethren."

Most of us can say that the SML Gold Medal is easily the equivalent of a Mark VI. But, fortunately or not, they're not worth as much as a Mark VI -- and I'd be very hard pressed to even put a $8K price on a gold-plated VI tenor.

[honkytone]

One sold on eBay last night for $7,100! And it had a broken off neck tenon!

[saxyben]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7370393961&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I saw that one & i was tempted before it went out of my price range (more than $500). :x
Seriously though, the winner is not a registered user, so it might go on again.:)
If it is a gold one Pete should grab some pictures for saxpics as he doesn't have any.
ben

[Sigmund451]

It either will return or someone was clearly out of their mind when they bid that much. Perhaps if they wait another 20 years it will be worth that price...and damaged at that!

[docformat]

The owner, his grandma bought it for him when she learned her daughter was pregnant, never played the saxophone.


hey what's the deal with this pregnancy/new saxophone lark. more importantly do you think my in-laws will go for it?!!

[TRWham]

It either will return or someone was clearly out of their mind when they bid that much. Perhaps if they wait another 20 years it will be worth that price...and damaged at that!
Crazy or running a scam maybe. Follow the bids and you find what look like some hijacked user accounts. I'll bet there's a Nigerian check scam behind this. You know..."I've got this check for $10,000, please cash it and send me the horn and change please." I guess they over-bid on items so the seller is so blinded by greed that they suspend good sense and go ahead with the "deal" regardless of mental alarms ringing.