[DancehallSka]

I think this is made by king.
I found a 1926 HN white sax in a pawn shop and i cant see if i should buy it or not.
how good are these things? especially if made in the 20's. it is repadded, recorked and has not been buffed

 

[Jonathan C.]

How much?

Edit.
Its made by King.

 

[DancehallSka]

its got new pads and cork and lacquer so there charging $450 for it.
worth it?
it doesnt come with a mouthpiece and i cant test it to see if it works.

 

[Jonathan C.]

This site might help.

www.saxpics.com

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

Well, it's not made by King. It's a KING model, made by H. N. White co. (King was a model name, not the name of the company). To be precise, you have a King Improved model, which predates the Voll models.

I have a couple of these, and find them quite good for very little money. They aren't up to the level of the King Zephyr and Super 20s of a couple of decades later, but stack up well to other horn makes/models of the 1920's IMO.

Not that your example needs it, but to those who might run across one:
Don't lose money by putting too much into having it restored or re-padded, if you are intent on selling it for profit at any point. Although good value for money horns, they aren't in high demand, and don't fetch very high prices.

 

[DancehallSka]

oh no i want fi play it. Would the keywork and tone be good on an 80 year old HN white sax? i dont even know if its a king.

how much would a sax repair guy ask for a total new padding, juss saying...
they say its all new but who trusts pawn shop guys?

 

[Jonathan C.]

A total overhaul can cost up to $500. Which is way more than the Sax is worth.
What playing expierence do you have? If you have played on a newer Sax 70's-today, then it will be awkward to try to play. If you are just starting out, it shouldn't be that hard.

 

[bruce bailey]

I am a bit confused. You mention that it is repadded, corked but not "buffed" and then you mention new lacquer. If it has new pads (put in well) and you like it, then it is probably worth the money and allowing that you are in Jamaica, I am sure you don't have a lot to choose from.
H.N.White made the King horns but also had some others like American Standard. What does it actually say on the bell?

 

[DancehallSka]

The bell is a bit hard to read cuh its full of grime and dirt and its mashed up abit on the bell.
it dont need anymore work, i dont think.
we do have music shops in jamaica, you no... its not like this old bloodclaat sax is all i have to choose from here. lol.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

The bell is a bit hard to read cuh its full of grime and dirt and its mashed up abit on the bell.
it dont need anymore work, i dont think.
we do have music shops in jamaica, you no... its not like this old bloodclaat sax is all i have to choose from here. lol.

Given your description of it's condition, inability to read the model name on the bell because of said condition, and your apparent options available in Kingston, I think you've answered your own question about whether this horn is worth buying.