[racer]

Hi Everyone.I am restoring a goldplate alto. I would like to ask the learned a couple of questions.The body tube is matt gold and the rings on the bell by the neck and base are burnished gold so to is the emblem on the bell. All the keys and cups are lacquer is this correctfor the year.The lifter arm that opens the palm key when you play top F is missing completly just the posts on the tube.Seems strange that it is missing,I have all the original paper work, hand book and guarantee card.It says it is a 120 model with a J finish and 226.xxx serial number can someone help. racer.

 

[bruce bailey]

The keys should be gold plated also. That front F that is missing could be relpaced by the arm and pearl from a donor horn. These are quite good horns and much better than the earlier models.

 

[racer]

Thanks Bruce. The keys are gold plate its the key cups that are lac. cant spell that.There are five pearls its seems like a pivoted lever is missing.

 

[bruce bailey]

I really doubt that the cups are lacquered unless they did it over the gold plating. It should be brass material with silver plating with gold plating over the silver. The body should be sating with the rings, inside bell, engraving and keywork polished. Later in the weekend I will be posting one for sale but in the meantime look here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/tags/buegoldalto/

 

[racer]

Beuscher 1927 Truetone

Hi Bruce.Thats the one. One of the side key touches also a key cup is showing silver through wear.How good are these saxes compared with a Martin Imperial alto that I have in playing condition, Your thoughts on value,

 

[Chu-Jerry]

For an online sale it would probably fetch $900-$1100 in 'mint' restored condition with all original accessories. From a retail store it could go for a couple hundred more. Value drops from that for each flaw.

 

[bruce bailey]

It depends on which Imperial you have. It would be equal (just different) form an early Imp (low 100,000) but better than a newer one (250,xxx+).