[Mikey B]

Hi All,

Don't know if this subject has been covered before, but just out of curiosity does anybody know how much these horns cost at the start of production, and how the prices increased during their production run compared to similar quality horns?

Regards, Mike

 

[saxphil]

Introductory pricing can be viewed on the HN White site.

Brass S20 tenor - $245.00
Silver, gold bell S20 tenor - $275.00
Silver, gold bell, gold trimmings S20 tenor - $305.00
Case - $32.50

Silversonic introduced around '49-'51.

 

[Smokey613]

I purchased my Silversonic new in 1968. I paid around $665.00 for it, if I remember correctly.

 

[saxtek]

In 1971 I couldn't afford a new Silver-Sonic tenor because the lowest prices were approaching $800.00, and I shopped around a lot.

 

[empressdiver]

I paid $770 CAD in Toronto for a new SilverSonic at Long & McQuade in June 1967. I recall that a salary of $10,000 per year at that time was regarded as very good.

 

[T.S.]

I bought mine new in 1977 from Bobby's Music in Denver (a King Dealer/music store/pawn shop all in one)- My tenor was made (going by serial number batches, in 1976 w/brass underslung neck with brazed tone holes. List was 1200.00 or so, I got it for $725.00.
At the same time they had one of the late silversonics with the SML like over the top octave key neck, and it listed for 1500. and change.

 

[SAXANY1]

Paid $650. for my Silversonic tenor from Long & Mcquade in Toronto in 1964 - 65 Bought Selmer Mark VI bari low A at the same time for $850. still own them both, use daily.

 

[Horned Toad]

I've been told they were more expensive than Selmers..

 

[Smokey613]

When I purchased mine new in 1968, the MKVI sitting next to it was $725 and my S20 was $665.

 

[Sigmund451]

A lot of us laugh but that was a lot of money back then. In the 70's in many parts of the country 10K was a very good yearly wage.

 

[xax]

As I recall, ca 1973 a new MKVI tenor was about $900 while a S20 tenor was about $700. My friendly local sax dealer, Frank Laidlaw hooked me up with an early FP S20 for like $300!...fixed my MKVI jones.

 

[JayeLID]

A lot of us laugh but that was a lot of money back then. In the 70's in many parts of the country 10K was a very good yearly wage.

:|....wait......is that bad now ????

...was just talking to the altoist in the group I jam with, and he mentioned in '78 he had a choice between a new S20 and a new mk.VI....both for $950...(these were Altos).
So that'd about dovetail with what TS was saying the prices which he encountered in '77 were...

 

[Yellowhorn]

I have a price list of King horns as of 1969 somewhere; let me find it and tell you guys the prices of S20 horns back then.

 

[AdamAugust]

Still have the receipt (but not the original horn, alas) for my King Super 20 Silversonic tenor with the sterling bell and neck, $750 in 1963. That may have included a finance charge but as I recall I paid it off with couple months of rocknroll gigs.