[J00B$]

I’ve been playing Alto on and off for the last few years and I’ve decided I want a tenor, but I don’t know much about the used market. I recently came across a Cleveland tenor, (I’ve scoured the forum and haven’t found much on this particular horn) the seller has it listed for $495 which I understand to be about $200 or so too expensive.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[musekatcher]

Pads look a little worn. For that amount, I'd want to know it has lots of life left, and I'd assume some small amount for adjustments regardless. And, the lacquer is worn too. I'd say you could find a later model for the same money, with better pad life left. Maybe someone can speak to the merits of these versus later models?

 

[J00B$]

Pads look a little worn. For that amount, I'd want to know it has lots of life left, and I'd assume some small amount for adjustments regardless. And, the lacquer is worn too. I'd say you could find a later model for the same money, with better pad life left. Maybe someone can speak to the merits of these versus later models?

Yeah, I figured it would need some work. The seller seems open to negotiations. There just isn't much in the way of used tenors in my area or I don't know how to find them.

I appreciate your input.

Jb

 

[mijderf]

I don't know about the King Cleveland models, but many manufactures use a C near the serial number to designate a C-melody horn. Also, saxpics information suggests intonation issues with at least the King Voll-True horns in this manufacturing time frame.

 

[bruce bailey]

That one is probably from the early 1960s judging from the serial number. The Cleves don't use regular King numbers when there is a C in front. From the lists it would be about 1963. Not worth that money for a student horn if it needs work.

 

[mijderf]

Thanks for correcting my bad guesses above. I have found information on Cleveland model serial numbers very difficult to find.

 

[DarrellMass]

That horn has the same engraving as mine, which is a '66 model, Ser. No. 232XXX. I love my Cleveland. Very focused, with great tone. Mine was newly repadded, top to bottom, and I paid $599, in 2017.

 

[milandro]

these horns (essentially a King 615) are cheap at the best of times and in the best of state.

 

[J00B$]

Hey guys I really do appreciate your input. I think I’m going to pass this on this horn. I’m just to keep looking for something to pop up, as I’m in no hurry. Now I just need to research which horns to be on the lookout for.


Thanks,

JB

 

[mijderf]

You might find this article helpful in your search:
https://www.saxophone.org/resources/guide

 

[cymru97]

I love the earlier Clevelands. They are set apart from these by having all lacquer keywork, no nickel plating. The engraving is usually a tower-like building or a marching band hat with crossed drum major maces.

Hold out for one in great shape for around the money this seller was asking. Alternately, visit 2ndending.com owned and operated by forum member JayeLID. He is a fan of Clevelands and has a very good nose for low-price vintage saxes. You can also be assured that the horn will be in the condition he describes. Finally, reach out to him because he always seems to have more horns in the line than are represented on the website.

 

[mijderf]

Alternately, visit 2ndending.com owned and operated by forum member JayeLID. He is a fan of Clevelands and has a very good nose for low-price vintage saxes. You can also be assured that the horn will be in the condition he describes. Finally, reach out to him because he always seems to have more horns in the line than are represented on the website.

Agreed! He has some nice looking tenor offerings now, at some nice prices.

 

[Sigmund451]

IMHO those pads are not worn. They are dead.

Its gonna cost ya.

 

[JayeLID]

.... the seller has it listed for $495 which I understand to be about $200 or so too expensive.

1)1930's...not. That is a '66 or later...

2) 'too expensive' if the horn is not in playing condition. Not unreasonable if it is. Now, thing is....if it isn't, you have no idea how much it'd cost to make it playable. Could be $150, could be $500. If $250 tops in repair work, then it'd be a good take at $200. But if service estimates exceed $250, then you could spend your $450+ better on a different horn.
So perhaps not a great deal even at $200 (again if not playing up and down nicely).

3) these are the later Cleves, the redesign of keywork right before the company moved to Eastlake....which became the 615's. Same bodies as the earlier, Cleveland-made versions, but the keywork is clunkier. Not 'bad' for a budget vintage horn, per se ( I mean, no worse than a Bundy I, for example), although quite honestly a Conn 16M or Holton Collegiate is gonna be more responsive under the fingers. But still a good-quality player when set up right.

Thanks for the kind words, mates. I don't have any Cleves here now, but I do have a bunch of c. $500 zone Tenors lying around...many not listed on my site.

 

[J00B$]

What are some models that your guy’s opinions that I should be on the lookout for. I $1000 budget, and I would for some reason, really like to have a vintage sax.

If anyone has a link to a thread where this may have already been discussed I would greatly appreciate it, as I couldn’t find any direct info.

 

[Manitou]

What horn do you play now? Do you like it? At 1k the market is huge - especially vintage horns. Just make sure if you don't get one locally that the seller can certify the horn is in top playing condition. As others have said, contact jayelid, he can get you something you'll like at a good price.

 

[J00B$]

Hey man, I’m currently playing and Anaxa. It was a cheap amazon sax that I bought roughly 10 years ago. I not the biggest fan of it. Too many issues. I have been looking over his site and I’ve decided I’ll buy from him for the extra convenience and value.

 

[DarrellMass]

There again, I can testify to George's (JayeLID) quality of workmanship, in delivering a very well regulated refurbished horn, at a very fair price. I bought a '61 Conn 10M from him, last year, and every day I play it (which happens to be every day), I marvel at how well put together and adjusted a horn it is, for the price I paid. The man is beyond fair! He's a craftsman who cares about his customers. He knows what I think of him.:salute::salute::salute:

 

[bruce bailey]

What are some models that your guy's opinions that I should be on the lookout for. I $1000 budget, and I would for some reason, really like to have a vintage sax.

If anyone has a link to a thread where this may have already been discussed I would greatly appreciate it, as I couldn't find any direct info.

For Vintage altos, there are tons for under $1,000. I always have pro Conns, Bueschers and Martins ready to go for $750+ and Jaye usually has a pile of ready horns. Keep looking in the Marketplace here although you may need to have more posts to respond.

 

[bruce bailey]

Thanks for correcting my bad guesses above. I have found information on Cleveland model serial numbers very difficult to find.

For serial numbers I find this site good: https://www.musictrader.com/serialnumbers