[Azuka]

Someone I know is offering me a SBA alto with about 95% lacquer and great playing condition for approx $4000. Photos look fantastic, but now he tells me that 'the lacquer is still on the pearls.' I have always considered that to be tell-tale evidence of a relacquer, but he seems to think that it is original lacquer. The original owner is now 80 and swears it is original lacquer.

Does this story hold water? And, if it is original lacquer, is $4000 a good deal?

Thanks.

 

[Raphyel]

I have had a few horns that were original lac that has lacquer on the pearls. But that would mean they horn was literally "Never played" or played very little. It could be original though.

 

[Dr G]

I would only buy a horn at that price if it played well - I wouldn't worry about the originality because I am not buying it as a collectible.

Many prize those altos as among the best available. Give it a blow and see if it talks to your inner voice(s).

 

[Azuka]

I'll be giving it a blow soon, but probably not today. The tech who is selling via consignment on behalf of the old guy, tells me that the sound is 'like' a mark 6. But I know this is hard to quantify since mark 6's have a considerable range from "awesome" to "blah." most are great though. I guess I'll know what to do then once I give it a blow. I had been thinking about getting a Rampone R1, hard to get one though at a price I could recoup later on if I decided to move on to something else. A SBA though... That WOULD hold it's value, and could be a smarter choice.

 

[Grumps]

I'll be giving it a blow soon...

Make sure there's a means available to get it in tune, then play a nice, soft low B.

 

[skeller047]

I own an SBA alto, and you will never get it from me. I've played several others, and they range from "dog" to "unbelievable". I think the good ones were the best altos ever made. None of them sound at all like a Mark VI, to me - they have a different bore. A good one will have a clear, ringing sound, maybe a little lighter in character than a Mark VI. It's a perfect lead horn, and a perfect soloists horn.

I second Grumps' advice, though I don't think these horns have the 'motorboat' issue that many VI's have (including the one I sold when I bought the SBA).

I think $4K is a very good price, IF the horn is set up well. Check to see if the original resonators are on it (they are metal domes, and they screw in, so make sure, if you buy it, that when new pads are installed that the tech keeps the old resonators!).

Of course, if you don't like it you shouldn't buy it.