[1neeto]

Hi everyone, new to the forum and with a bunch of questions like any newbie. First of all I have no clue about saxophones and in currently trying to buy one for my fiancée as a birthday present. She used to play the clarinet and told me a long time ago that she always wanted to try an alto sax. So in planning to surprise her.

So far there's two horns I'm interested on Craigslist. One of them is a Conn 20M and the seller said that it still plays great with no leaks and the only thing it has is a missing finger piece. Whatever that is. He's asking $250 for it. The second horn is a Selmer USA Bundy II and the seller is a music instructor that's standing very strong behind this horn. He's asking $350 for it and I made an offer for $275. He seemed insulted by my offer and went on about how his horn is not some abused horn from a. Careless marching band kid. He is standing firm on his price and is confident that it will sell. So he pretty much told me that unless I have the 350 to not bother as waste his time.

I did some searching and found mixed reviews from both horns. The Conn supposedly it's junk unless it's a vintage. Same for the Bundy, but there's many that really like their Conn's and Bundy's.

I have yet to get the serial numbers from both horns but I should get them soon. Here's the ads:
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/2600834835.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/2597795721.html

Another note about the bundy is that the seller doesn't have pictures of it. The guy seems straight up judging from our emails, but I find it odd he doesn't have any pictures of it.

Sorry for the newbie questions. I did search I promise!

 

[Dave Dolson]

Welcome to SOTW. Surprises are fun but with a few things, I don't think they are wise. Saxophones are one of those things that I think requires input from the person who intends to play it. In the long term, you'd be better off if you found a good store in your area, took her there and let her make a selection. A $300 +/- horn off of craigslist is more than likely an item that may end your relationship. Can it be done? Sure, but I doubt it with two people who are not players. DAVE

 

[Rondalo]

try checking SotW member JayePDX at web site http://www.2ndending.com/saxes.html. he has a business fixing up used saxes and reselling them. if you buy from him you are assured of getting a working horn for a good price. he has at least one alto listed on his web site for $300.

note - I have not personally bought anything from JayePDX, but he has a good reputation on SotW.

 

[1neeto]

Thanks for the warm welcome and replies! Gotta love that comment about my relationship with her ending because of buying the wrong sax!

As for buying online, I'm really trying to buy locally. I live in Hawaii and shipping charges over here can be ridiculous. Another horn grabbed my interest, it's a bit over budget but looks like a fine instrument.

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/2592636692.html

Doesn't specify what kinda of Yamaha but I guess it's a YAS-23 considering the price the seller wants for it. Seems like its barely used and in case this puts my relationship in jeopardy, I should be able to re sell it for te same price. What you guys think?

 

[Dave Dolson]

You are welcome for that line. Do you know anyone who plays? Maybe they could go with you to assess that Yamaha on Craig's list.

If not, you should probably take a look at it yourself IF you intend to surprise her. If it really is an almost NEW saxophone, it should be okay. I'm not up on Yamaha 23 prices, but that looks reasonable to me. Even a non-player could probably could look at that horn and conclude it is in pretty good shape. A look at the pads may help you. If they are all intact and seem to close easily and completely, maybe it would be worth a try.

Yes, of course there is more to it than that, but given your location, etc., it is all you have to go on at the moment. DAVE

 

[1neeto]

I wish i knew anyone that plays. I'm gonna list other ads of cheaper horns. Maybe there's a gem there I don't know about.
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/2679106718.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/2642772133.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/2638532501.html

This one in particular seems like a great find but "vintage" could also mean old and neglected!
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/2669358744.html

I really wish I knew about saxophones so I'm hoping you guys can tell me which one of those horns are worth a look. My initial budget was $300 but now I'm willing to spend close to 600 if the horn is worth it. I would hate to buy a $200 horn that needs $400 worth of repairs.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Hmmm, you may be in trouble making a selection from among used craigslist saxophones with no help. Of the ones you listed, the Buescher Aristocrat would be my selection (I own five old Bueschers and they are superb), but there is SO much more to it than brand name alone. The best Bundy or Vito may prove to better than the worst Buescher. Having said that, if the seller of the Buescher knows his stuff, you may be getting a top-flight horn there. Maybe he could play it for you before you buy it.

I think you'd be better off finding someone who is a known dealer of older, inexpensive saxophones (like the aforementioned JayePDX) and trust him to make a selection for you, then send it on to HI. Could one of those craigslist saxophones be a gem? Sure, but without seeing each one and play-testing, it may be risky . . . and there goes the relationship!!! DAVE

 

[JayeLID]

Hmmm, you may be in trouble making a selection from among used craigslist saxophones with no help.

Yes, it really becomes a crapshoot...as Dave says...if you can bring a player along, do so. If not...then can you find a tech locally who can give the horn a once-over ? In that instance....you are buying the horn and having the seller give you a return policy in the event that it doesn't pass snuff of the tech.

I do wanna mention I checked shipping to Honolulu...it ain't all that bad for an Alto. $65 Priority Mail or $30 Parcel Post.

I appreciate the referrals above, gents. Neeto...I can set you up with a nice horn for around $385 shipped if you like. You won't have to worry about it needing work, because I do that before I send it. Just a thought...not trying to be a shark, here. Point is, it doesn't seem that shipping precludes buying on the net...although I do agree there's an argument to be made for buying in person (but again that might be precluded by the fact that you admittedly don't know anything about saxes).

Not to say folks aren't honest, because most are...but it isn't particularly hard for a player to make a horn sound OK when in fact it has some playability problems....I think that is what most folks are trying to point out. You just don't wanna get stuck with a C'list horn which then requires another $200 of work, y'know ?

Great surprise, really....kudos.

 

[1neeto]

Jaye I'll admit I didn't research shipping charges for saxophones, I base that assumption for other things I've bought trough eBay and whatnot. I see your reputation here is impeccable and that means I can trust you can sell me a nice horn, not having to worry about repair man surprises is a huge peace of mind. Any pictures or info of what kind of horn you wanna sell me?

Thanks in advance!

Oh yeah found my woman's old horn. It needs some love.

It's a Selmer USA Bundy. I Wonder if it's worth anything.

 

[1neeto]

Ok guys the lady selling the yammy has accepted an offer of $500 that I made. Should I jump on this if it's at the claimed "almost new" condition? Even if it's less than "like new", a 6 year old Yamaha horn should be worth that much right?

 

[1neeto]

Where did everyone go? Well I'm still looking, the Yamaha deal is in the air. Tried to contact the seller but haven't received a callback or email. The guy with the selmer said he's gonna pass because I keep trying to get him to lower his price. Whatever. Also no reply from the guy selling the vintage. Jaye if the Yamaha deal goes sour then I might consider your offer.

 

[Dave Dolson]

I didn't reply after you posted the price of the Yamaha because frankly, I don't know if that is a good price or not. And, I couldn't find anything above to refresh my memory about how the horn was described. I STILL think it is better to allow your friend to see it and handle it first.

If the Yamaha is decent, I suppose $500 is a good price for both parties. Frankly, I wouldn't pay much for any Yamaha (been there - done that; and I don't intend to inflame true-believers, but that is just my take on the whole Yamaha iine).

As I recall, the "vintage" you mentioned was a Buescher Aristocrat. Those are terrific saxophones, but it may require even more money to make it playable. Once it is fixed, though, it will likely out play any Yamaha. DAVE

 

[JayeLID]

I agree with Dave...personally, I wouldn't pay 5 bill$ for a YAS 23 just because at the end of the day, they are pretty darn mediocre musical instruments. Indeed, 23's are the default suggestion as they have been for the last decade because there are good things about 'em: sturdy, absolutely reliable, consistent, keep their regulation well, and are easy to service. But that doesn't make 'em very good musical instruments, IMHO.

On the other hand, so as not to be accused of tooting my own...IF the Yamaha plays well and needs no add'l work, I think $500 is a bit high for it....$400-425 is a more appropriate market price for it (aklthough again my understanding is that things are $$$ on Oahu and local choices are limited). BUT, if you offered 5 bill$ and it really is "almost like new".....then you didn't get a BAD deal. Not one I would be inclined to make, but you didn't get reamed by any means. So, as a first horn for a few years it'd serve well; and if it's pretty, aesthetically....that's something, too.

The Bundy II may or may not be decent...they started out as decent but the later ones really went downhill. It is only worth about $300 in fully-playable condition. If the seller continues to insist on a higher pricetag than that, he's gonna have that horn for quite a while. But as a sax, these used to hold the very place which Yamaha 23's now hold (description above), before instrument production got yanked to offshore....

In your latest listings, IMHO the horn to get is the Vito for $200. This is a Yamaha 23, just engraved with the Vito name ! If it really is in "great condition" and plays up and down, as seller claims, there's your deal. Even if she needs another $100, it would still be a good deal....

Again, you are still in a situation where you are buying a horn when you do not play....and apparently cannot bring anyone along with you who plays. So, I think we all reiterate here...make sure the seller is willing to accept a return.

 

[1neeto]

Can't thank you guys enough for these past two replies. I had no clue that the Vito was a 23. That really makes it very appealing. The lady with the Yamaha just contacted me and now I'm getting cold feet lol! I thought I was getting a great deal, but quite frankly 500 bills is a considerable amount of money and I don't wanna spend that kind of money unless it's a killer deal. The reason why I thought it was a great deal was because even on eBay some people are selling their less than perfect 23's (sticky pads, dents and scratches) for about the same price, with the ones with serious repair needed at around $300.

Also the horn must be able to re-sell at around the same price just in case I put my relationship in jeopardy (lol Dave). So basically the things that matters the most to me are: playability, reliability, looks, resale value. Yes looks matter, I want the instrument to look like in near new condition, no ugly dents or very noticeable scratches.

So for now I'm gonna hold off on the expensive Yamaha, and contact the seller of the Vito. The aristocrat never replied but I'm gonna email him again. Will keep you guys posted.

 

[1neeto]

So I was researching the Borgani Alexandre sax and ran into this!
http://partner-ad.photobucket.com/a...s/?action=view&current=Alexandre.mp4&newest=1

Jaye, is that you playing the same sax you offered me? Sounds so good and looks very nice too!

 

[saxmusicguy]

The Bundy II may or may not be decent...they started out as decent but the later ones really went downhill.

To which production years are you referring when you mention the "later ones."

 

[1neeto]

So got contacted by the Vito seller and he said he had some offers that are higher than what he listed it for. I say BS, if he was offered $250 like he claims, he would have sold it by now. He said its a '96 model and promised to send me the serial number. Might meet up with him this Friday to check it out.

 

[saxmusicguy]

Might meet up with him this Friday to check it out.

That should be interesting. Meet him in a public place.

 

[1neeto]

That should be interesting. Meet him in a public place.

Lol! Well I'm meeting with the yas-23 seller in an hour (at a public place!). I know I offered $500 but I have a feeling the seller has been trying to get rid of that horn for a long time, and since I'm not crazy about it anymore then I'm gonna offer $400 and see if I can negotiate it to no more then $450.

Did a lot of reading about those yamaha's and it seems like people either live them or hate them. Many agree that the mouthpiece it comes with is rubbish and makes it sound too "bright". Plus they don't have a high F# key. If I don't see a made in Japan stamp, how much should I offer? Remember the seller claims its in near new condition, it was played a few times and comes with all the goodies it came with from the factory plus several new reeds.

*update*

Met with the seller and he accepted an offer of $400! It's a beautiful instrument with hardly any scratches and a very small ding that I had to look very hard to see it. Gonna take it to a shop to have it serviced! Pics coming soon!

 

[saxmusicguy]

Met with the seller and he accepted an offer of $400! It's a beautiful instrument with hardly any scratches and a very small ding that I had to look very hard to see it. Gonna take it to a shop to have it serviced! Pics coming soon!

Sounds good.