[MartinHandCraft]

I had a co-worker drop a business card in my lap yesterday. It was an ad from a grocery store bulletin board for:
Tenor Saxophone
Professional Quality
Nice Case Plus Accessories
Very Good Condition
$700

After calling and talking with the owner, I found it was an Antigua Winds Pro-Level Tenor purchased new 9 years ago. It has been repadded in the last 2 years. Came with all the standard accessories plus a sax stand and a Berg Larsen mouthpiece.

The guy was listing it on eBay through a third party that evening. It had been posted for a couple months and no one called him (it's a smaller store).

He's a pro and said he played this in Vegas 9 years ago, bought this horn and sold his Mark VI. He loves it, but he's lost his hearing and can't play anymore.

I called my tech and he said a nine year old AW tenor would not be a steal.
Though the Berg would be worth at least $100.

Did I pass on a steal?:?

 

[Canadiain]

$700 for an older AW tenor is OK I suppose, but I would not pay that for one. GIven the repad and the berg thats probably a fair price to ask.

I have an older one that I got for $250 on ebay if that gives an idea. Its my plan B horn, a little dented and rough around the edges, but OK when I dont want to risk my B&S. The B&S is a true pro horn, the AW is good intermediate I would say.

There are certainly worse horns out there for the money, Its basically 90% of a Selmer SA80...similar design and ergos, but a fraction of the cost, but its not really "a steal" at $700, so dont beat yourself up too much.

If its a rubber berg its probably not worth $100, but thats in the ballpark for a metal one. Who knows what sort it was anyway, there is a world of difference between a 80/3 and a 130/0 berg.

 

[playitfunky]

Actually you avoided wasting money.

 

[Canadiain]

Actually you avoided wasting money.

I wouldnt say that. A top line AW with a full repad two years ago is worth $700, its just not a steal. There is one on ebay now with an opening bid set at $1000...I doubt it will sell. Another is at $200ish, and will probably go over $500 by the time its done.

Have you owned or even played an antigua 550 to make a glib call like that? My AW tenor is not a 550, its older, but its an OK horn. My backup alto is a 520...top of the antigua line, and its a fine horn, remarkably similar to a real SA80 for a fraction of the price, and I would expect the same from a well maintained 550.

These are some of the more reputable horns coming out of Taiwan, with a long track record, and companies like Selmer and Keilwerth source much of there intermediate horns from the same makers.

 

[SaxyAcoustician]

You could get a brand new Kessler Custom tenor for $895. Looks to be a Selmer Super Action 80 Series II copy.

 

[The A Train]

You could get a brand new Kessler Custom tenor for $895. Looks to be a Selmer Super Action 80 Series II copy.

Those are made by the same company that makes the Antiguas -they are almost identical.

 

[tsaxy]

I agree,$700. is too much for the old AWs.

The newer ones are a great value. I am gigging now with a new Big Bell , black with the gold keys AW tenor. Use a Dukoff D7 mpc. Great sound, well made. Paid $1075, new, from Junk Dude. Have owned and played Selmers and this AW does the job at a fraction of the cost of a Selmer. I just put the extra savings in my pocket.

If you are looking for a value tenor. I will sell my back up A550 SP (all silver plate AW tenor) for $900. Sold new for $1900. I do not need a back up, as the quality on my black horn is very good. It is a late model and like new condition. As you see, resale value is not good, but that makes the late model AWs one of the few remaining values in the sax market today.

MHO,

tsaxy

 

[MartinHandCraft]

Thanks for the offer, and while that does sound like a value, I'm unfortunately only able to afford a steal currently. This means I'm relegated to Craig's List, Estate and Garage Sales, and Pawn shops.

I do have a tenor, but it's crushed (coworker's son had a marching band accident). I'll likely be starting a new thread somewhere about the value of repairing this tenor (it was free, and it's a student model). At least I can practice a repadding, even if I use the old pads again...

 

[Canadiain]

Thanks for the offer, and while that does sound like a value, I'm unfortunately only able to afford a steal currently. This means I'm relegated to Craig's List, Estate and Garage Sales, and Pawn shops.

Dont forget ebay too...its not all rogues, scoundrels and scams. I picked up my AW tenor for $250, and spent another $50 on a techcheck, and thats my backup horn still. The market place here throws up good deals too, worth posting a want add anyway, you never know what someone has that they will let go for a couple of hundred.

 

[SuperAction80]

The AW's of 9 years ago are no where near as good as they are today. I wouldn't get one of their horns that was made before 2003. Any of their instruments made during the past 5 years has superior intonation and is more well built. $700 for a 9 year old AW seems far too expensive, even with a pro rebuild.

 

[goodsax]

I believe AW "pro models" are good horns, such as the 550 tenor and 520 alto, but $700 for that tenor would not have been a steal. It might have been a fair price, but certainly not a steal.