What is Your Favorite Sax Finish?

[soulysax]

OK, we have all sorts of finishes out there. Gold, silver, lacquer, rainbows, flames. Maybe you purchased a sax but you wish it came in a different look. What is your favorite?

Now before you answer:

1.This is not a discussion about finishes and tone. That one has been covered elsewhere thanks.

2.Yes, I know looks may not be all that important and practice is.

3.If someone likes flames, purple fine. Please don't respond with a flame.

My Favorite(s)

1. Satin Silver with Bright Silver Keys Lots of Engraving
2. Black Nickel with Bright Silver Keys
3. Unlacquered with Plenty of Tarnish, Red Oxidation

Extra Credit: Your brand offers your favorite finish but it costs more than the basic look. How much more you willing to pay to get it?

Probably $300-$500 depending on the finish.

[ChuBerry47]

Satin silver with Shiny keys, and Gold washed bell

Satin Gold with shiny keys, and gold wash bell.

Satin Vintage lacquer, or black nickel with gold plated keys.

[Dr G]

Heavy silverplate on body and keys - no engraving, please.

Just like a fine European Selmer SBA or a Borgani Jubilee.

[Saxplayer67]

Ermmmm dunno, my alto as it is I guess, gold lacquer (a much better shade than the ones on modern saxes, they look like toys now) and nickel plated keys. There is lacquer and nickel plating wear on my sax, as it's from the seventies - eighties, and when eventually it needs a relacquer, I'd want it to be exactly the same shade of gold.

My brand isn't made any more but if I was in the market for a new sax I would not pay any more for a finish. Same with cars, which I guess is the nearest synonym.

[sonicthehedgehog]

The lacquer on my Series III soprano.

[John S.]

The dark lacquer used on some of the new Selmer Flamingo models is amazing. Looks authentic, unlike some of the Selmer "antiqued" finishes.

[ZephyrSax]

My top 3:

1. Satin silver body, gold keys and highlights.
2. Satin gold body, burnished highlights.
3. Honey gold lacquer, like my Zephyr. (<- that picture doesn't do it justification.)

Actually, chuck in the Gerald Albright Cannonballs while we're at it. I think they're black nickel with silver keys.

Oh, I might pay $400 extra on a new horn to get my finish of choice.

[Ruediger Kramer]

blacknickel
or
shiny silverplate allover

[blackfrancis]

Either silver plate old school style or mostly delacquered the honest way- worn off at the gig.

[soulysax]

Looks like a lot of votes for silver and old style deep lacquer. No fake stuff. Keep em coming.

[fballatore]

The dark honey gold finish on my Ref 54 alto is gorgeous.

[Little Sax]

1) Conn Virtuoso Deluxe (BGP with full engraving and full pearls)
2) Any other vintage BGP finish
3) SP with GP keys and Rods
4) SP with GP bell-wash
5) S-20 SS
6) Bare Brass (nice patina)
7) Keilwerth Shadow

[Martin Williams]

satin silver, with polished keys, and highlights and inside the bell. looooots of engraving!

Or, worn from use laquer, still some there, but lots missing

[rs1sensen]

Different depending on modern VS vintage.

Modern: Gold lacquer
Vintage: Silver with goldwash bell

[devanabigia]

1)unlacquered
2)dark honey gold (old style??)
3)black/gold keys
4)silver

[Billt4mn]

Originally Posted by devanabigia

1)unlacquered
2)dark honey gold (old style??)
3)black/gold keys
4)silver

Ditto, except I prefer silver keys with a black body.

[GAS_Wyo]

Originally Posted by fballatore

The dark honey gold finish on my Ref 54 alto is gorgeous.

I'll second that, Frank. ...but since I haven't seen yours, I'm going to have to go with the dark honey gold finish on MY Ref 54 alto~!

[Canadiain]

I love the matte earthtone finish on my B&S. It really brings out the engraving and has received so many favourable/ curious comments too. The inside of the bell is the regular shiney laq which gives a nice contrast.

[sycc]

Canadain that's a very sweet looking sax you have there!!!!!

[sycc]

I like the vintage 24k gold plate on my Rampone sopranino.