[saxandstrings86]

I just wanted to share this with you guys, since I love hearing these stories from others. Also, forgive me if this is more suited to another place on the forums.

Just moved into a new place and have been looking around the area for pawn shops to scour, and I found a nice little hole in the wall yesterday so I took the time to look around.

And there it was, sitting on a shelf in it's original (and in good shape) case, was a mid 50's Martin Indiana alto. Picked up the horn to take a look, not expecting much, and lo and behold...new pads. Further inspection, it's had an overhaul in the last couple of years, and little to no use since...it even has thin pads!!

The lacquer looks great, original in about 85% with nice clear engraving. Lyre holder has been removed (only major "flaw" in the body, but it wasn't just ripped off either), and the neck fits great and is numbers matching.

Looking through the case i'm seeing some old reeds (brown and filthy Vandoren 4's, which have been promptly trashed upon getting home), a neck strap, a metal MP cap, an old ligature (sounds great, though I don't recognize it), and a vintage Selmer Scroll Shank C* mouthpiece.

So, I walked out with it for $100. Needless to say, I'm quite happy. Just goes to show you that there are still some great deals out there if you look for them.

 

[cleger]

Wow, nice buy!!

 

[bruce bailey]

So you sell the mouthpiece for $150 and have a great tenor and $50!
When I got my Chu tenor, I ended up with about $500 and the horn after selling the mouthpieces. I have actually bid on ebay horns to get a mouthpiece.

 

[saxandstrings86]

I've never done that, but that's because i'm usually at a loss for the equipment itself...mouthpieces are a nice bonus

i think i will be selling the piece though...i've already got one that i love, so I wount be greedy...someone else can have one, too.

And then I'm off to look for that $500 Mark VI....mwahahahaha

 

[Swampcabbage]

Awesome.

 

[bruce bailey]

A friend in CA got a Mark VI Alto recently for $500 buy it now! I missed a VI Bari (Bb) 2 years ago that was also $500 BiN. Keep looking, there are steals out there everyday. Windmiller got a Martin Typewriter Alto today for $155 on ebay. Strange as the seller had it listed as a soprano (I wish) and I told him it was an alto. He asked what he should put it up for and I told him $500 BiN and he didn't listen. Sellers loss, buyers reward.

 

[bandmommy]

Dang but you're a Lucky Bug.

How's it play!?!?

 

[saxandstrings86]

It plays like you wouldn't believe...I was expecting it to be somewhat playable when i got it home, seeing as it had new pads and i couldn't see any glaring leaks in the light of the store, but I was planning on taking it into my tech to go over later this week...

Nope, doesn't need it. I mean, sure it could use a fine tooth comb, maybe, but I've honestly never had an alto set up this well. Low to high, completely responsive at any dynamic. Can't wait to take her into Jazz band next monday instead of my Yamaha 62...jaws will drop

 

[Honeyboy]

That sounds like the mid 50's Indiana alto I got from Goodwill for $150.00 (plus a new cork from the repairman). You have outdone me! Congratulations. I recently started using mine while my King Zephyr is in the shop and I actually prefer the fuller deeper tone of the Indiana. It almost sounds like a tenor in spots.Enjoy!

 

[saxandstrings86]

Just wanted to give one quick update...I used that alto last night for the first time in jazz band, in place of my YAS-62, with a new Otto Link Tone Edge 5 mouthpiece. While I was warming up, I was a bit worried I might get lost in the band and not be able to project like I really needed to as the lead alto.

Boy was I wrong.

I was blowing the trumpet section out of the water with the volume from this horn, but it played just as crisp and clear at pp or sub-toning (and those sub-tones come out the easiest of any sax i've ever been on). I was also afraid of how my pitch would be since I've only been playing on it for about a week now, and only by myself, but the horn is so easy to work with that my intonation was spot on after about 5 minutes.

I love my new horn.

Thanks again for letting me share this with you all!