Value of Edgware Alto Sax

[Nicholas]

I've just begun learning alto sax and know little about them. I have a friend that's going to sell me his Edgware alto sax. It's in OK condition. It has a few dents and needs some work (I'll probably have to spend about $80 on it).

How much should I offer for it?

It says, "THE EDGWARE made for Boosey & Hawkes" (61444) on the sax. I looked up the year and, according to what I found online, I believe it's a 1952.

Thank you,
Nicholas

[BlueTrane2028]

Boosey is the parent company for Buffet, which includes Noblet and a few others as well. It probably is a student to intermediate quality instrument, and as such I wouldn't offer much more than 300 unless it's really nice. I remember testing an Edgware clarinet (it was wood, intermediate quality) and it played well. I'll assume this sax to be about the same.

[cymru97]

The Edgware is a Kohlert stencil with rolled toneholes, a nice horn overall especially for your level. I'm trying to sell one that is near perfect with a fresh overhaul for $300. Don't confuse the new Kohlert (Chinese) with the old, the old Kohlert that made your horn was based in Germany and built nice saxes, this one will serve you well.

You will be much better off with the Edgware than just about anything in that price range.

[Canadiain]

The difference being that Boosey actually made the clarinets themselves ( I own one), but nearly all B&H saxes were stencil jobs from the usual suspects in germany/ eastern europe.

I might be wrong but I think the majority of Edgwares can be traced back to the Kohlert Bixley? Its OK but nothing great, a "student" model. I dont think they all had the rolled tone holes either? Bare in mind you can get a decent used MODERN tiawanese horn ripping off a selmer SA80 for a couple of hundred bucks, so dont get too carried away.

In the Boosey name structure Edgware was at the student/ intermediate level...I think it was one, maybe two steps up from the entry level instruments.

[cymru97]

I think you are correct about the Bixley connection. I still think the Edgware will be a better horn than most of the cheapo Asian horns in the $300 range, but that is subjective and I don't mind older keywork. I can confirm that they are rugged and hold adjustment well, they also have a nicer tone to my ears but again that is awefully subjective.

[playatsax]

I've played an Edgware for 25 years. It's a great little sax. My folks bought it for me in high school, and after raising the palm keys and getting a better mouthpiece I've actually made money on it!

Edgware was made by Kohlert along with Bixley, Sears Concertmaster and some other name for Montgomery Ward.

you can't go wrong.

Playatsax

[michaelbaird]

I would try to get it as cheap as possible, <$300 because it will probably need some work for the age it is. I own a Kohlert 57 alto and a Deluxe tenor and use them as back-up horns. I think they are great for the money. I'm a big fan of the old Kohlerts.