Wondering bass sax prices!!!

[saxy_wayne]

Ok I am wondering about 2 bass sax prices...if anyone can give me a fair round about estimate please let me know!! thanks

First one is a silver conn. Absolutely beautiful. serial is #85919
near new pads and looks great. it plays well but could use an adjustment. comes with a case that is in perfect conditions. Absolutely beautiful!

second is a buescher with a serial #166858. Its gold in color.beautiful case

Ill get pictures up asap but if anyone has any idea what a fair price is please let me know. thanks

[Gandalfe]

Where are the pictures? PhotoBucket is a free way to post pics to the web. 8-)

[BeyondSax]

Based on the serial numbers, these are both from the early 20s. Probably about 1922 for the Conn Wonder model and 1922-23 for the Buescher True Tone. I have a Buescher Aristocrat bass (later manufacture) and paid about USD 8,000 for it recently. It is in mint condition (100% on the silver plate and a very few tiny marks or blemishes, no dents or repairs). Intonation is excellent. If the Buescher you are considering is gold-plated, then all other things being equal, it is the more valuable horn. There wouldn't have been any lacquered models at that time to my knowledge, so if it is lacquered, it isn't original.

Some people are very opinionated about the relative merits of these two horns from the early twenties, insisting that the Conns were made with inferior or thin brass. I have no basis for believing it.

Finally, most basses I have examined have relatively extensive dents, scratches and repairs - they are big and they get knocked over, bumped, and dropped. Examine carefully before buying. If it has been lacquered and/or replated, it may be to hide repairs. There isn't a huge market for these, so sellers are usually negotiable.

[Bootman]

From my understanding all the basses where made in the one factory and finished slightly differently by Conn or Buescher. I have owned two Conns and been very happy with both, my current rebuilt Conn plays fantastically and is whilst costing me a small fortune it is well worth it and has even been earning it's keep. I have also played Selmers and Keilwerths and unfortunately they aren't even in the same league as the Conn's or Bueschers.

Basically you will be very happy with either Bass, choose the one which takes your fancy! I would be inclined to go for the Gold plate model..... well, just because I love Gold plate.

[littlemanbighorn]

I would be inclined to go for the Gold plate model..... well, just because I love Gold plate.

He said "gold in color", which from my experience with eBay, craigslist, etc.. is a term that usually means lacquered.

[Bootman]

I can also thoroughly recommend the silver plated Conns too.

[Gandalfe]

Bootman have you gotten a chance to try an Eppelsheim. How do they compare in your opinion to the Buescher. I have a Buescher that just roars and plays from top to bottom of it's range easily. Even the altissimo's pop which I don't say for any other instrument. But the intonation challenges on the Buescher and indeed other vintage bass saxes I tried, drove me to the Eppelsheim.

[Harri Rautiainen]

Where are the pictures? PhotoBucket is a free way to post pics to the web. 8-)It is also free to attach pictures to one's post here on the SOTW Forum.

[saxtek]

After playing Conn stencils for years, I had gotten used to playing middle and high C natural with the side key on bass, because it was almost necessary. I got so comfortable with that fingering that I still use it a lot on the Eppelsheim, even though the normal middle finger C is great on the Eppy.

I also completely relearned all the altissimo fingerings on the Eppelsheim, but the altissimo "valve" on the Eppy can usually provide several choices of fingerings that work above the normal range.

Starving bass saxophone player video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkrD67K84EI


Bootman have you gotten a chance to try an Eppelsheim. How do they compare in your opinion to the Buescher. I have a Buescher that just roars and plays from top to bottom of it's range easily. Even the altissimo's pop which I don't say for any other instrument. But the intonation challenges on the Buescher and indeed other vintage bass saxes I tried, drove me to the Eppelsheim.