[mattlionel]

I inherited this sax, 100% gold plate, not sure if replated looks too good to be true or if it might be lacquered. Engraving crisp and sharp. No high F alt. key.

Origianal case and original pads with snaps, white pads. serial about 111,000. What might it bring on evil bay or here? Pads will need to be replaced as there original. maybe work done.

Im selling this to have some sort of xmas for my family not to make a profit. Any help appreciated.

Thanks,


matt

 

[Dave Dolson]

Matt: Nice. Pictures? Keyed to high-F? Marked "LOW PITCH"? Any dents? All of those things would help assess this horn's value. You should also check some of the web-sites that sell vintage saxophones to see what they are asking. Of course, there is a difference between a business's price and a private sale AND the need for an overhaul should be factored in. But that would give you a clue. Should be a fairly easy sale once you provide more info. DAVE

 

[JayeLID]

Probably not lacquered if it's gold plated...but do make sure it's goldplated and not just lacquered brass, OK ?

Old Sops didn't have a high F key oftentimes...nor a front F.

1922-ish yours is....it misses the sweet-spot era by about a decade....

You gotta go thru the list of potential issues:

1) is keywork free and responsive, or sticky/slow.

2) Look at the pivot screw and rod ends...any signs of rust. Get a screwdriver...do they turn or are they buggered/frozen ?

3) Look at the body....any dents ? Is it straight ?

4) Are the springs clean ?

5) Any mold or nasties on the corks or felts ?

In this permanent new economy...$650-700 or so for a brass lacquered one, maybe $900-1000 for goldplate if not worn significantly....and if there's no significant issues beyond the pads.

(Actually...Dave...you edited your own comment, and I agree: an online dealer selling a Buescher curvy is NOT going to give Matt a realistic idea of the market value of this horn, because most online dealer prices don't reflect the eBay/auction/C'list sorta market values we will be seeing from now on.....)

Cool find.

 

[mattlionel]

thanks you guys are awesome, Ill post pics tommorow, I apprecaite it.

 

[Grumps]

...100% gold plate, not sure if replated looks too good to be true or if it might be lacquered. Engraving crisp and sharp.

Gold plate doesn't really tarnish, so it tends to look very good for its age. Look for any worn spots to see if there's silver plate underneath to confirm gold plating. If no worn spots, unlike lacquer, gold plate will shine when polished. Just don't go at it with anything abrasive. It might also have more elaborate engraving if it's gold plated, as compared to the silver plated ones.

 

[JL]

Gold plate doesn't really tarnish, so it tends to look very good for its age. Look for any worn spots to see if there's silver plate underneath to confirm gold plating. If no worn spots, unlike lacquer, gold plate will shine when polished. Just don't go at it with anything abrasive. It might also have more elaborate engraving if it's gold plated, as compared to the silver plated ones.

+1 to all that. Also, if the engraving is crisp I highly doubt it's been lacquered. They didn't lacquer Bueschers back then, so a '20s Buescher with lac means the lac was applied later on and the engraving won't be sharp. Definitely post pics; we might be able to tell.

 

[bruce bailey]

Yep the photos will tell. Also make sure the neck hasn't been pulled down which can happen on these curvies due to the way the case fits. Without photos, I will venture a guess based on the past 10 years of ebay and horns I have sold. Since it has everything original, it will need a redo so if it is lacquer, I would guess $500-700 and if it is gold plated, maybe $1,500 due to the rarity. Being a series II and only keyed to high Eb, is the downside.

 

[bruce bailey]

My error as I reread the original post and it looks like it may have the high F, not a front F however as Holton was the only vintage soprano with the fF.

 

[Dave Dolson]

My '28 straight TT has an after-market coat of clear lacquer on it (original matte silver-plate). I bought it that way 25+ years ago. Sure doesn't hurt it - great sound and volume. The engraving is sharp, too. DAVE

 

[mattlionel]

Wow you guys are awesome, I WILL post pics, much more extensive engraving then others on saxpics, has the High F, no front F, actually later then I thought 135xxx. Engraving sharp, might keep. If not and are interested keep your eyes on the classifieds.

 

[Dave Dolson]

I'd sure keep it (and fix it) if it were mine. Another question (or comment, really); with that serial number I suspect the G# touch is a pearl button and not a lever-style. That is not especially important but some folks focus on those issues. The later models (forgot where the break-off point is) have the levers for G#. Mine does (and another straight from '28 that I recently sold to a SOTW member) had the lever (both had serials above 233XXX). I recall the G# "improvement" came at around 200XXX but not sure. Your horn at 135XXX may be around the '24/'25 era. There are lists on the 'net that can confirm that (or deny it as the case may be). DAVE

 

[saintsday]

The extensive engraving is a pretty good clue that it actually is gold plate. I could be a buyer for that instrument if it is gold plate.

 

[JayeLID]

.....yeah...now your killin' us, Lionel...where are the photos ???!!!!!

 

[paulwl]

My error as I reread the original post and it looks like it may have the high F, not a front F however as Holton was the only vintage soprano with the fF.

He said "No high F alt. key." That totally threw me.

 

[mattlionel]

Ok I promise to post pics today or tommorow (embarrased), per sax pics the engraving is just like pic of the gold plated one (extensive floral) on that site NOT the silver ones from the from that site. Will appreciate solving this puzzle by you. also, it does have High F palm key, which I couldnt find one from that vintage (1923) that do. Button G#, thanks.

 

[JL]

Will appreciate solving this puzzle....

Can you find any small wear spots (maybe on the side key touch points) where the plating has worn and you can see silver showing? If so, it's gold plated. Gold won't adhere well to brass, so gold-plated horns are first silverplated, then then goldplated.