Beginner Saxes Arbiter pro sound... Taiwan.

[Stephen Howard]

Yeah, he said he bought it from ebay from the states just over 20 yrs ago and was serviced 4 months ago. No paperwork. Serial number says 1981 series I. Alot of lacquer missing but still looks nice. I don't know a better horn player unfortunately 🙄 to take with me. Thinking of going tomorrow 🤔🤷

OK, sounds kosher.
Don't worry too much about the lacquer...it tends to fall off Selmers almost as soon as you look at them. Best to get it over and done with 🙂

Ask about any body damage. Any major knocks or repairs? Any evidence of solderwork? If so, is it neat and tidy?

Paperwork means very little when it comes to horns. Names do. Dawkes have a competent reputation.
Take your Arbiter with you - compare how the two horns play side by side.
Don't go mad or get busy. Play maybe one scale, or even just a three or four note riff, then switch horns. No talking inbetween...keep the sound in your head - and make sure you suss out the mouthpiece positions first. You want both horns to be in tune with each other.

And then trust to your feelings. Does it FEEL good. Does it respond. Does it feel like two grands' worth.
And most importantly...note what the Selmer has over the Arbiter...but focus too on what it doesn't have.

And have a great day out...even if you come back empty-handed. A good seller will always want you to be happy.

 

[teen37]

OK, sounds kosher.
Don't worry too much about the lacquer...it tends to fall off Selmers almost as soon as you look at them. Best to get it over and done with 🙂

Ask about any body damage. Any major knocks or repairs? Any evidence of solderwork? If so, is it neat and tidy?

Paperwork means very little when it comes to horns. Names do. Dawkes have a competent reputation.
Take your Arbiter with you - compare how the two horns play side by side.
Don't go mad or get busy. Play maybe one scale, or even just a three or four note riff, then switch horns. No talking inbetween...keep the sound in your head - and make sure you suss out the mouthpiece positions first. You want both horns to be in tune with each other.

And then trust to your feelings. Does it FEEL good. Does it respond. Does it feel like two grands' worth.
And most importantly...note what the Selmer has over the Arbiter...but focus too on what it doesn't have.

And have a great day out...even if you come back empty-handed. A good seller will always want you to be happy.

Thanks so much for all that great advice Stephen, I definitely wouldn't have thought of all that. I'll let y'all know how it goes 😉