Hello everyone. I was recently given a 1946(?) King Zephyr with s/n 281xxx, and I was wondering if someone could provide a rough valuation and/or maybe a suggestion as to what I should or could do with it next.
I believe Imgur albums are allowed.
1946 King Zephyr Album:
I'm not too knowledgeable about Altos (or vintage instruments at all, really), so I apologize for a lack of proper terminology and the like. However, I have been trying to do my research over the last few days that I've had it! I've found a few other sites and forums, and have searched for current or past sales, but I'm sure I don't know the best places to look. I haven't really found anything in the way of Zephyrs with serial numbers close by; most are much older or much newer. I've noticed most of the King saxes talked about around this time period are the Super 20.
I used to play alto sax back in high school (which is one of the main reasons this was given to me), but my experience is comprised only of marching + concert band and some jazz classes I took in high school, and some rather-amateur, small-group jazz performances at local clubs and bars for a few years after.
I tried to take some pictures that showed the condition of all parts of the instrument, but in complete honesty I'm not 100% sure of precisely what I should be taking pictures of. It's obviously seen a bit of use, and the metal hasn't been tended to too well. To my knowledge, it has been sitting in a soft case for the last 10 years or so in a closet (at least temperature and humidity-controlled). The pads are definitely not original but look to be in good condition, and to my inexperienced eyes it doesn't look like it's ever been re-lacquered. It has a double-socket, silver neck piece, and pearl keys/buttons. There are a few small dings on the bell (from the inside out?!), but the rest of the alto looks quite sound. All of the keys work smoothly, and it still plays rather well. It has all the screws, and the joints look to be in good condition.
I guess I'm asking if someone can provide an initial value, or a good place I should go or contact to find out, and/or if I should consider having any restoration work done to it. I don't see any chance of me ever playing in any professional or semi-professional setting, but I may bust it out as a hobby from time to time. Maybe a birthday party for the kids here and there.
Appreciate any suggestions for what I should do, or if you just had any more information about the instrument or others in this serial # range!
Thank you!
P.S. I posted this earlier but think I accidentally deleted it when trying to delete a single image. Apologies if it gets double-posted or something somehow.
I believe Imgur albums are allowed.
1946 King Zephyr Album:
I'm not too knowledgeable about Altos (or vintage instruments at all, really), so I apologize for a lack of proper terminology and the like. However, I have been trying to do my research over the last few days that I've had it! I've found a few other sites and forums, and have searched for current or past sales, but I'm sure I don't know the best places to look. I haven't really found anything in the way of Zephyrs with serial numbers close by; most are much older or much newer. I've noticed most of the King saxes talked about around this time period are the Super 20.
I used to play alto sax back in high school (which is one of the main reasons this was given to me), but my experience is comprised only of marching + concert band and some jazz classes I took in high school, and some rather-amateur, small-group jazz performances at local clubs and bars for a few years after.
I tried to take some pictures that showed the condition of all parts of the instrument, but in complete honesty I'm not 100% sure of precisely what I should be taking pictures of. It's obviously seen a bit of use, and the metal hasn't been tended to too well. To my knowledge, it has been sitting in a soft case for the last 10 years or so in a closet (at least temperature and humidity-controlled). The pads are definitely not original but look to be in good condition, and to my inexperienced eyes it doesn't look like it's ever been re-lacquered. It has a double-socket, silver neck piece, and pearl keys/buttons. There are a few small dings on the bell (from the inside out?!), but the rest of the alto looks quite sound. All of the keys work smoothly, and it still plays rather well. It has all the screws, and the joints look to be in good condition.
I guess I'm asking if someone can provide an initial value, or a good place I should go or contact to find out, and/or if I should consider having any restoration work done to it. I don't see any chance of me ever playing in any professional or semi-professional setting, but I may bust it out as a hobby from time to time. Maybe a birthday party for the kids here and there.
Appreciate any suggestions for what I should do, or if you just had any more information about the instrument or others in this serial # range!
Thank you!
P.S. I posted this earlier but think I accidentally deleted it when trying to delete a single image. Apologies if it gets double-posted or something somehow.