[Jazz43]

Currently in school, I've slowly been making the shift to bari. I've played a bit on a school horn, but I would really like to get my own. I'm currently in a not that financially gifted situation, so I can't really go out and buy a six thousand dollar horn.

Are there any horns out there that are maybe more of an upper intermediate level horn that wouldn't break the bank?

Any brand/model names would be highly appreciated.

 

[Jonathan C.]

Whats the budget?

 

[Jazz43]

Whats the budget?

About a thousand to two thousand dollars USD at the most.

I'm probably lowballing, since I've only seen two prices for baris, both out of the Big Four.

 

[Jonathan C.]

How do you feel about going Vintage?

 

[Enviroguy]

Yes..

If you can make it without a low A and have enough time to get an overhaul, here is a great horn:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300165608734&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

 

[Jazz43]

How do you feel about going Vintage?

I play a vintage alto now, I was leaning on a new bari just to prevent the stress of finding a "Dream sax," but if vintage is the way to go, I'm fine.

Yes..

If you can make it without a low A and have enough time to get an overhaul, here is a great horn:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300165608734&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

I remember reading about this horn a few days ago. I probably would have picked that exact sax up at the original price, but someone had to go telling the seller it was a Big B.

Also, from what I've read, Bb is the way to go.

Am I going to end up restoring a horn in my range?

 

[Jonathan C.]

Probably not. You could, and have a sax that you can put what you want in it.


You will probably be able to find something working here in your price range.

 

[Jazz43]

What manufacturers am I going to have to look into now? If I were to buy a new sax, that is.

I'm certainly not looking at Big Four, but I'm also not looking at a China Special, right?

 

[zxcvbnm]

If you want a new sax, probably Kessler, or maybe Jupiter (I think these are a bit over your budget). You probably won't be able to get a good new sax for that much money. If you don't need low A, go vintage (Buescher will probably be your best, and cheapest, bet).

 

[MPL]

$1000-2000 won't get you into a "big 4" baritone...with the possible exception of a Yanagisawa stencil like a Whitehead. However, at that price point, the horn is likely to be pretty dinged up.

In that price range, you might find a Buescher 400, maybe a Martin in OK shape, perhaps a non-vintage Conn 12M or a King Zephyr. The King Tempos or H & A Bundys (both actually made by Keilwerth and a very, very good horn) can be found for around $2000.

With any vintage baritone, if the neck or crook has been mangled and then repaired by a nondescript technician...my advice is to walk away. If the body's not straight, that's not as big a deal if the pads seal properly.

IMHO, Low A is really only necessary if you are planning on being a working pro.

 

[bari_sax_diva]

What manufacturers am I going to have to look into now? If I were to buy a new sax, that is.

I'm certainly not looking at Big Four, but I'm also not looking at a China Special, right?

I wouldn't bother buying a low-end baritone just to get one new. Baritone saxes have large, complex mechanisms that are much more susceptible to getting out of adjustment, and a cheap horn is likely to spend as much time in the repair shop than out of it. Additionally, the resale value on these horns is really pretty awful.

If you're limited in funds, get an ugly-but-well-adjusted vintage bari. You can probably find something surprisingly decent for just over a grand. Then, if you decide to make baritone your main axe and want to upgrade later, you'll probably get back everything you spent on this horn.

Oh, and welcome to the dark side... :twisted:

 

[Band-dad]

budget bari

Here is how I came up with a great bari for my daughter.

I watched ebay auctions, and finally landed a King Zephyr that looked bad, but mechanically was sound. With shipping and all it was under $500.

Then off to my tech. He looked at it and loved it. Talked me up to a full restoration. That included a relaq but NO buffing. His price was $1350.

Then I found a used protec case in the marketplace forum for $100. The case that the bari came in was shot, and not original.

So, with all that said I put just under $2k into it, and it looks like a new horn and roars like thunder.

My daughter used that old horn to make first chair all-state. First chair in a college honor band. She used it for her college audition, and the scholarship offer more than paid for the horn her first year.

Tomorrow she tries out for the college jazz band. She was the bari player in her HS jazz band for 3 years.

Good luck on your search. Sometimes taking a chance on rebuilding an old warhorse is money well spent.

 

[monzamess]

I just got a used bari from PM Woodwind (pmwoodwind dot com). Not all of their horns are pretty but they're repaired and set up to be good players. They currently have a couple of horns in your budget.

Another possibility is Taylor Music (1800usaband dot com). They recondition the instruments (full relacquer etc) but their website lists "30 days" to "60-90 days" waiting for an instrument. I didn't go any further with them once I found my horn elsewhere. Maybe if you call, maybe they'll actually have something ready to ship, since not everyone keeps their website up to date.

I'm not associated with either place--they were just the couple I was considering after looking at a lot of used baris online.

 

[cymru97]

This seems like a good deal on a nice horn, isn't baribri a SOTW member as well? It's close to the upper end of your range but should be quite nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Low-A-Jupiter-A...ryZ16233QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Jazz43]

In that price range, you might find a Buescher 400, maybe a Martin in OK shape, perhaps a non-vintage Conn 12M or a King Zephyr. The King Tempos or H & A Bundys (both actually made by Keilwerth and a very, very good horn) can be found for around $2000.

A non-vintage Zephyr? Like those 800xxx S20s I always hear about?

With any vintage baritone, if the neck or crook has been mangled and then repaired by a nondescript technician...my advice is to walk away. If the body's not straight, that's not as big a deal if the pads seal properly.

Do you mean if the neck is badly dinged or if it seems to have been crushed?

I wouldn't bother buying a low-end baritone just to get one new. Baritone saxes have large, complex mechanisms that are much more susceptible to getting out of adjustment, and a cheap horn is likely to spend as much time in the repair shop than out of it. Additionally, the resale value on these horns is really pretty awful.

So I guess I'm going to stay away from cheap, new horns.

Oh, and welcome to the dark side...

A dark side? I hope I don't get a dark horn, I like bright!

Here is how I came up with a great bari for my daughter.

I watched ebay auctions, and finally landed a King Zephyr that looked bad, but mechanically was sound. With shipping and all it was under $500.

Then off to my tech. He looked at it and loved it. Talked me up to a full restoration. That included a relaq but NO buffing. His price was $1350.

Then I found a used protec case in the marketplace forum for $100. The case that the bari came in was shot, and not original.

So, with all that said I put just under $2k into it, and it looks like a new horn and roars like thunder.

My daughter used that old horn to make first chair all-state. First chair in a college honor band. She used it for her college audition, and the scholarship offer more than paid for the horn her first year.

Tomorrow she tries out for the college jazz band. She was the bari player in her HS jazz band for 3 years.

Good luck on your search. Sometimes taking a chance on rebuilding an old warhorse is money well spent.

What did the horn need done? I assume pads, cork, maybe some adjustments?
Also, good luck to your daughter.

I guess I'll look for a vintage horn. What saxes would be good to look for?

They didn't happen to make a lot of Silver Sonic baris, did they?

 

[zxcvbnm]

I guess I'll look for a vintage horn. What saxes would be good to look for?

King Zephyr, Buescher True-Tone, Buescher Big B aristocrat, Conn New Wonder (I don't think a 12M is in his budget), various Martin models.

 

[MPL]

King Zephyrs are hard to find in good shape but can be restored in the hands of a great tech. Don't expect to find one that plays like a Super 20 in your price range, but it's remotely possible. Silver Sonic baris...not sure how many were made, but if so you will not find a good one for <$2K, sorry.

If the neck itself has been pulled down at all, or shows signs of being out-of-round, then there's likely some acoustic damage as well even if there are no leaks in the neck. The crook is a much bigger problem - if it's been crushed or twisted, then it's more likely to cause problems in response or intonation. Plus, if something happened to the horn that was serious enough to ruin the crook...what other problems are you going to find?

See my previous list for decent vintage baritones. Look primarily for horns that have not been mangled all to h*ll and you should be OK. For a couple of potential candidates, see https://www.junkdude.com/ProductGroup.aspx?group=saxophones&id_prodcat=29. I've not bought from him myself, but many on this forum have and can vouch for his professionalism and good service. Good luck!

 

[Gaines (bari]

I know exactly how it feels to have to buy a bari while on a budget. I went for an Olds

 

[Tubz O Fun]

YEah i lookin for a bari around 3K but i want sumthin good for jazz and a ska band anyone have any help or ideas