[swingguy]

I have a 1967 Mark VI tenor which had a varitone microphone system at one time. The neck has been repaired excellently but I wonder what effect this possibly has the value of the horn, which is in otherwise wonderful condition for its age (original lac 90% intact).

Any opinions on this greatly appreciated.

 

[abadcliche]

It will definitely devalue the horn- at least on ebay. In my completely un-scientific personal opinion, I would expect to get about 30% less than a comparable horn without the patched neck.

That is not to say it SHOULD be that much less- because it shouldn't- but that is what I have seen.

 

[swingguy]

Thanks for the feedback ...

Not good to hear, but your opinion is valued and may well help with my choices about what to do with this horn.

 

[JerryJamz2]

Value of the instrument and perhaps even playability/intonation problems could be related to "how" the patch was installed. We always install a round piece of brass machined to the correct thickness of the neck at the location and circumference of the hole needed to be filled. Of course, scalloped to follow the contour of the neck pipe..

Many shops will simply just solder a patch over the entire area, which IMO is not very good and looks like a blister..

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

I think it could probably be installed invisibly. Make a slightly tapered brass rod that fits into a 'perfectly' round hole. Tin the hole and rod with silver-solder, and while hot, thrust the rod, plug-like, into the hole. Then finish flush inside (using my trusty dental handpiece) and out. Relacquer.

Similar to what I once did with a silver rod on a (Lark!) flute which I had inadvertently punched a hole through. Don't ask! my worst ever botchup, but you could not see where the patch was.

 

[Dr_sax]

Have a look at my neck. My tech removed it very nice for me. Plays great but devalues the horn quite a bit from the collectors point. But I am not selling it anyway

 

[griff136]

if you are worried about it devaluing the horn and IMHO it wouldn't devalue it by 30% more like 10%. you could always get another mk 6 neck - that way your horn would not lose any value and you can sell the other neck. BTW if your horn's neck doesn't have a serial number then theres no way of confirming it is the original neck anyhow.

if you were to sell it i'm sure a player wouldnt fuss about it especially if it blows well.

 

[swingguy]

Thanks for all the input guys. Mine looks exactly like the pic in that post by Dr Sax. except it's in the middle on top.

 

[abadcliche]

Don't forget guys that a Varitone system wasn't just on the neck. If the entire thing has been removed, there will be marks elsewhere on the body. If only the neck part has been removed, then there is a bunch of infrastructure remaining on the sax.

 

[swingguy]

Don't forget guys that a Varitone system wasn't just on the neck. If the entire thing has been removed, there will be marks elsewhere on the body. If only the neck part has been removed, then there is a bunch of infrastructure remaining on the sax.

After closely checking I now believe this was not actually a Varitone system at all but simple a mic (pickup) installed and removed. I see no evidence of the wiring hookups that the Varitone system would have had. The feedback from the forum has helped me determine this distinction.

Thanks to everyone who responded

 

[abadcliche]

Ah! I revise my estimate to agree with Griff.

And again, it really SHOULDN'T affect the price, but it will. People freak out when they see a neck patch, but if done properly IMHO it won't affect anything soundwise. I am one of the people that would probably bid on your horn (if I had the cash at the moment, that is) because I know it will be a small bargain.

 

[JerryJamz2]

Conn used a similar mic/pickup/effects system to the Selmer Varitone called the "Multivider". I still have one in my collection of oddities.

 

[griff136]

Don't forget guys that a Varitone system wasn't just on the neck. If the entire thing has been removed, there will be marks elsewhere on the body. If only the neck part has been removed, then there is a bunch of infrastructure remaining on the sax.

you're absolutely right there so your estimate of around 30% would have been correct had the instument been fitted with the varitone system.

I assumed ( a lucky assumption ) the neck just had a pick up and the sax had no other modifications.