[olddogplayer]

JinYin saxophones.

i have a JinYin sax i have had it for +-15years . and really needs some work.
is it worth spending the money on or rather buy some thing better.
it has good tone and is pretty much in tune right through the range.
it is actual a quite a heavy horn.
any advice.

 

[extradarcafe]

I've seen and owned a lot of Asian and other "no-name" saxes and never crossed paths with this brand, although I know there are thousands of them out there with various names engraved on them.

But, in general, no relatively obscure brand of alto of that age is worth putting more than 100 bucks into. If it's a tenor, and you really liked how it played (which you must have; you wore it out), then 200 would not be wasted to get it playing for another year or so. If it's a baritone or bass, do a bit of research as to its value; I know zip.

You can pick up a used Jupiter or Bundy alto in great playing condition with minor cosmetic issues for very little money. Some excellent playing Chinese tenors in near perfect cosmetic shape sell for under $300 used. Again, if it's a bari or bass ......

Shop around a bit before walking your horn into a repair shop.