[bvandrasik]

I have chance to pickup this basket-case New Wonder II Alto. It obviously needs a full service, but looks complete with no body damage. Is it worth $50 and the service cost, or better served as a lamp?

 

[Dr G]

With that level of apparent corrosion, I am concerned about the unseen corrosion in the rods and pivots. There is likely damage to the springs as well. If you are looking for a challenging project, then go for it. If you have to pay someone else to do the work, it is not a good candidate.

I don't think it would make a very attractive lamp either.

No, thank you.

I have chance to pickup this basket-case New Wonder II Alto. It obviously needs a full service, but looks complete with no body damage. Is it worth $50 and the service cost, or better served as a lamp?

View attachment 262308

 

[saxoclese]

If you have the tools and skill to do the overhaul yourself it would be a good deal (and a lot of work). If you need to pay to have it overhauled the cost will be more than it is worth. Some tech might want to pick it up for that price to use for parts. The world has enough lamps without sacrificing a saxophone to make one.

 

[bvandrasik]

No, it's definitely out of my skill set. I'll pass on it. But, if anyone else is interested, auction is here:
https://ohio.hibid.com/lot/66951385/cg-con-limited-e-flat-alto-saxophone

(must be picked up, in Mansfield, OH, next Weds)

 

[Figaro]

Oh boy.... stop me now. After resurrecting the Holton I feel like I'm looking at a lost puppy that needs a home. LOL

 

[Grumps]

They're a dime a dozen, but if you think fifty bucks will win the auction... that might not be realistic. Heck, the neck is probably worth fifty bucks.

 

[Brujo]

No shipping is the killer.

 

[bruce bailey]

Look at the neck prices. If the neck is OK, it may bring $150+.

 

[bvandrasik]

Look at the neck prices. If the neck is OK, it may bring $150+.

Is the special reversed neck on this one worth more?

 

[Grumps]

I would not be surprised if that neck is stuck in place as is.

 

[AddictedToSax]

Looks like it has the highly desired upside down mouthpiece too.

 

[turf3]

I can see how ignorance could lead to the upside down mouthpiece, but if you're not sure how the neck goes in, how can you fail to remember the hundreds of thousands of photographs you/ve seen of saxophone players; and if you still can't figure it out, how damn hard is it to go to Google and look for images of "alto saxophone"?

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

Looks like it has the highly desired upside down mouthpiece too.

The mouthpiece is fine. The horn is upside down.

 

[bvandrasik]

I can see how ignorance could lead to the upside down mouthpiece, but if you're not sure how the neck goes in, how can you fail to remember the hundreds of thousands of photographs you/ve seen of saxophone players; and if you still can't figure it out, how damn hard is it to go to Google and look for images of "alto saxophone"?

Someone knew enough to list it as an alto, so you'd think they'd know that the neck is backwards. I think it's probably stuck that way, like someone else mentioned.

 

[AddictedToSax]

Looks like it has the highly desired upside down mouthpiece too.

The mouthpiece is fine. The horn is upside down.

I stand corrected.

 

[Dr G]

Oh boy.... stop me now. After resurrecting the Holton I feel like I'm looking at a lost puppy that needs a home. LOL

That looks more like roadkill.

 

[lydian]

This is a very rare, tandem saxophone. One person hangs upside down and blows into the mouthpiece while a second person works the keys. It was designed so the player can hear himself better.

 

[Brujo]

They're a dime a dozen, but if you think fifty bucks will win the auction... that might not be realistic. Heck, the neck is probably worth fifty bucks.

Hammer price = $300. Plus 15% buyers premium. So a $345 outlay just to get started trying to make it playable again.

Bit more than a dime a dozen.

 

[Sigmund451]

Hope for a meyer bros mpc under that cap.
Thats a lotta dough forma lotta work

 

[Grumps]

Bit more than a dime a dozen.

Dime a dozen as in they're plentiful. When I wrote that, it was to acknowledge that although they're not rare or of great value, fifty bucks was wholly unreasonable for valuation purposes. Vintage Conn altos generally do better than Buescher and Martins of the same era, so $300 isn't really a surprise even though of course, it will need a lot. But don't be surprised if added attention for the auction was inspired by this thread, or if one of our members picked it up.

Hope for a meyer bros mpc under that cap.

My bet would be WW Co.