$500 for a SML Rev D tenor

[tjontheroad]

This is your classic "I went to the music store for a cable and came back with a sax" story. This is at my local Sam Ash where they all know my name. Long story short... I look way up the top of the wall shelves about 12 feet high above all the Selmers, Yamahas, and Cannonballs. Way in the corner there is a SML for $500. "Can I see that please?" Guy tells me he doesn't know much about them. I'm thinking, "HMMMM". "Can I check out something on the internet", I asked? "OK", He says. I looked up the serial # 102xx on www.saxpics.com and just as I'd thought it was a Rev D. "I'll take it", I said as I fumbled with my wallet. I didn't even play it yet! The guy brings the case out and inside is a Selmer soloist C* short shank piece. Bonus!

Now the last thing I need is another tenor. But,,,, this is a very nice horn. It's about 85% original lacquer and plays very nice. When I bought it, I thought I'd sell it right away. Last month, one sold on Ebay for about $2,150. But, I think this is a keeper. Now I might sell something else :D

[Saxland]

What....no pics? :D What does it play like? I find it amazing how many different French saxes from that period there are floating around. And they play like butter!!!! Still half the price or less (set up) than a new Selmer.

Congrats on your sharp eye!!!!!!

[hornimus]

.......Damn!


....................................Damn!


.................................................. .......................Damn!

[tjontheroad]

What....no pics? :D What does it play like? I find it amazing how many different French saxes from that period there are floating around. And they play like butter!!!! Still half the price or less (set up) than a new Selmer.

Congrats on your sharp eye!!!!!!

"Butter" is a good word to discribe the way it plays. It's somewhere between a SDA Buffet and a Mark VI. It's a free blowing and smooth sounding. The pads look to be original. The G# key sticks pletty. I'll likely take it to my tech for a go over.

[Sigmund451]

I second Wind Millers perspective.

Where the heck is my LUCK!

[tjontheroad]

I've never considered myself lucky. Heck, I'm not even that good :D

I've been playing this sax all day. It's growing on me very quickly. If it was fairly priced, I'd have still been very tempted to buy.

[rabbit]

Excellent! I love a story like this.

Congratulations, enjoy your magical new gift.

[mnash]

I too groaned at first when I read this, but then again last year I picked up a 14,xxx Rev D for around $750. The pads, corks, etc. were pretty much shot, and the horn had its share of minor bumps and bruises. I put nearly $1000 worth of complete premium rebuild into it, including getting all the little dents pounded out. It played good before, and great after. I should consider myself lucky, I suppose. I didn't have the $750 to spare when I first bought it, and had to sell another tenor to fund the rebuild. Still, I couldn't pass it up, could I??

Of course, I haven't been able to do much more compulsive buying since then. I had to spend my money from Saturday night's gig on a tank of gas, milk, cereal, and bread for the kids, and had enough left over for a couple of boxes of reeds. Or maybe I should say I bought critical items like gas and reeds, and lucky for the kids I had enough left over for milk, cereal and bread!

Being broke is a good cure for GAS. I hope for my kid's sake I don't run into another deal like that...:cry: .

[tenorsaxman11]

Yeah TJ!! Good for you, you got a kickass break handed to you. Soak it up and enjoy the great fortune!!

[tjontheroad]

Ya' know, I kinda feel bad for who ever sold/traded it in. That person is the one that should have gotten more. I don't feel bad for Sam Ash. They've made a small fortune off me over the years. That's about the last place I could think of getting such a break. Just tells you how rare these horns are. I'll bet Sam Ash only paid about $300 for it.

Don't worry guys, It's found a good home. It'll get played a plenty. It's toooo good to just sit in a case. I wish I'd found it sooner. I might not of bought some of my other tenors. I'm not a rich guy fer sher. I was very broke just a couple of years ago. Things are looking up for me now. I count my blessings :)

[Grumpie]

Wow TJ, what's to say....Congrats on a great find :)