[saintsday]

Who has deep enough pockets for this one: https://www.junkdude.com/ProductDetail.aspx?id_product=867

 

[hakukani]

I would never have the heart to play such a gorgeous and rare instrument. I would just take it out once a day (or more) just to admire it.

It really is a museum piece.

 

[ppamhk]

Hmm, don't you think the engraving is too elaborate?

 

[jacobeid]

Check out this thread too. http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=67475&highlight=check+piece+history

Brian Powell posted a bit more about it.

 

[AG]

he just posted those pics so the rest of us could suffer with him.....from want.

 

[playitfunky]

I think the engraving is pretty gosh if you ask me. Still though sounds like a real collectors horn.

 

[Grumps]

Betcha it gurgles...

 

[Bernards20040]

Betcha it gurgles...

 

[Guest]

I would buy it!

 

[littlemanbighorn]

I don't know.... he can't charge THAT much for it.
It obviously needs a new neck cork.

 

[awholley]

I'm missing the value-add. It's just another SBA with extra engraving in less-than-minty condition that was owned by a couple of prominent businessmen. It does look like it was played a good bit, so it's probably not a bad horn, but who can say without playing it....

As stated above, some people will find the extra engraving garish. Certainly any modern horn could have engraving like that by sending it off to Jason DuMars or Sherri Huntley -it's not like there aren't modern engravers who are just as good.

 

[saintsday]

I would think that Ralph qualifies as a little more than a prominent business man.

 

[awholley]

I considered that before I posted, actually.

I guess I was comparing that to say a horn that was played by someone like Cannonball Adderley or Phil Woods, whose playing is legendary, as opposed to someone known their contribution to the manufacture of saxophone items. Also, this horn was merely owned (though perhaps also played) by Mr. Morgan; he did not design it (according to the listing), so again, we don't know of anything special about this horn other than it was one Mr. Morgan happened to own, and before him Mr. Artley, who is (I'm assuming) more known for his line of flutes.

It could indeed be a great horn.

As a fellow Buescher afficionado, I was surprised that you were so moved by a mere Selmer, though.

 

[saintsday]

You're right about me living in Buescherland. If my teacher could hear himself on my NA alto, he'd trash his Ref 54 on the spot because he sounds that much better on the NA.

It was actually Brian Powell in another thread that led me to believe this could be gem:

"This was Ralph's personal alto. He lovingly played it for years and years. I have played this horn on a number of occasions and absolutely love it, it's a killer player, and very unique. Ralph cherished this horn dearly, had a number of offers to buy it from him, but would never part with it. And not just from a historical perspective or his personal affinity for its lineage (Mr. Artley was his predecessor at Selmer), it's that good a player!"

I'd call Dave but I'm afraid that if it isn't in the stratosphere I'd be goofy enough to buy it.

 

[awholley]

Well that's a bit of a different light on it now!

 

[Martinman]

I'd call Dave but I'm afraid that if it isn't in the stratosphere I'd be goofy enough to buy it.

This is a relic! It belongs in a museum.

 

[jacobeid]

For the record, when I visited junkdude last week I played the horn.

It needed some pad work done and it hadn't been touched in awhile but the horn was very nice. The engraving was gorgeous and it looked great. How did it play? About as nice as any average vintage selmer I've played. Of course, whoever is buying it won't be buying it to play it though.