Saxophones Do you buy saxes/gear without trying first. How did it work for you?

[Dr G]

Ho, yes it has a sense, you can't collecting in first hand conn f mezzo soprano because it disappeared during 1929, only one or two years of producted,

You don't play vintage sax horn

I don’t understand what you mean by “You don’t play vintage sax horn”. I don’t currently own vintage saxophones, but when I did, it was because I chose to play them.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I don’t understand what you mean by “You don’t play vintage sax horn”. I don’t currently own vintage saxophones, but when I did, it was because I chose to play them.

I think something may have got lost in the translation.

 

[jcn664]

I think something may have got lost in the translation.

Not, it says buying a second hand is no sense,
And i say, if you find buying is no sense, you can't play vintage horn, because vintage horn are totally for great majority second hand

 

[jcn664]

I don’t understand what you mean by “You don’t play vintage sax horn”. I don’t currently own vintage saxophones, but when I did, it was because I chose to play them.

You can't play vintage if you think playing and buyi G second hand are no sense, because pratically all vintage horn are second hand and many more hand before.

No judgement, litteraly vintage are totally second hand, no first hand

 

[Pete Thomas]

Not, it says buying a second hand is no sense,

You can't play vintage if you think playing and buyi G second hand are no sense,

Having looked back, nobody actually said playing and buying second hand make no sense. I really do think some translating has gone out of whack.

The statement was that collecting makes no sense. Something I questioned because I know for a fact as far as I’m concerned collecting makes a lot of sense to many people. It gives a lot of people pleasure (along with some frustration at times).

Thinking about Dr G’s assertion that collecting makes no sense, I think it was (presumably) a very subjective view and as such isn’t really something to argue with as he’s totally allowed to have that opinion and although I disagree, I’m not going to bother trying to change someone’s mind.

Having said that, the validity of collecting could be an interesting discussion worthy of its own thread/ topic.

 

[jcn664]

But nobody actually said playing and buying second hand make no sense. I really do think some translating has gone out of whack.

The statement was that collecting makes no sense. Something I questioned because I know for a fact collecting makes a lot of sense. It gives a lot of people pleasure (along with some frustration at times).

Oh okay they're misunderstood, i think it said it's no sense to buy one second hand, okay okay,

Yes collecting has a sense for many People, curiosity, to create one museum, and other objectif.

My main objectif is simple to learn and to discover rare instrument for any People,

If i share one horn, couesnon alto low A and High G, they're not many People know that couesnon alto low A high G exist and was made.
Now you know.

The principal reason to collecting is curiosity, and discover plenty New thing

 

[Ghr9204]

there're not many people know that Couesnon alto low A high G exists and was made.

This is a nice example of an unusual alto. Today with our modern saxes we normally only see baritones with low A.

For the artist it would give flexibility to extend the bottom say in saxophone improvisation.

 

[Pete Thomas]

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For the artist it would give flexibility to extend the bottom say in saxophone improvisation

But very little actual usefulness IMO, along with possible issues that it didn’t help the tuning (possibly true with the MKVI

 

[jcn664]

My favorite and principal horn is my Conn F mezzo soprano, Probably the most special horn that we built, it's so Nice and good horn, i love conn f mezzo soprano, it's very exceptionnally great potential horns

 

[Dr G]

Having looked back, nobody actually said playing and buying second hand make no sense. I really do think some translating has gone out of whack.

The statement was that collecting makes no sense. Something I questioned because I know for a fact as far as I’m concerned collecting makes a lot of sense to many people. It gives a lot of people pleasure (along with some frustration at times).

Thinking about Dr G’s assertion that collecting makes no sense, I think it was (presumably) a very subjective view and as such isn’t really something to argue with as he’s totally allowed to have that opinion and although I disagree, I’m not going to bother trying to change someone’s mind.

Having said that, the validity of collecting could be an interesting discussion worthy of its own thread/ topic.

The act of collecting is the aspect that is entirely subjective. It is the very condition of attachment that provides “value” to an instrument - especially if it is regarded as vintage and not played.

 

[jcn664]

The act of collecting is the aspect that is entirely subjective. It is the very condition of attachment that provides “value” to an instrument - especially if it is regarded as vintage and not played.

I have many horn which not condition to play now, but i will restorate this to play with after

My Dolnet curved soprano, my sopranino Selmer modele 26, my curved soprano czechoslovakia, my futur bass sax buffet crampons will be restorate, my couesnon prototype sopranino too,

 

[Nick Wyver]

I have occasionally bought stuff without trying first - mostly mouthpieces from members here. I’ve never been disappointed even if some get sold on again later. I also have a number of PPT mouthpieces, some of which were not play tested. I still have all of those and they’re my go to pieces on S, T and B. Alto tends to alternate between a PPT Hooligan and a LAW prototype (also purchased here) - but I’d never regard myself as an alto player.

I can’t remember buying many saxes without trying first. An alto from a pub landlord in about 1975 and, more recently, a C soprano from Stephen Howard and sopranino from Rupert Noble. Not chaps that you should have any qualms about buying stuff from. I live in SE England so I’m a bit spoilt for choice regarding sax shops and before I moved back down here I was 12 years in Nottingham, just down the road from Windblowers who were brilliant for trying stuff.

 

[jcn664]

They say that, and I understand such a policy with underwear, a mouthpiece can be easily 100% disinfected. The big problem would be small scratches due to ligatures or (unforgivable) bite marks.

By taking it to your teacher within the return period.

But there is always the terrible fear the teacher is going to say “just stick with one mouthpiece”

What I always say when a beginner talks about an “upgrade” is “can you describe what’s wrong with your current mouthpiece?”

Unless they can do that then I do think they should stick with it until they are ready, ie know what is wrong.

I actually get quite a few such asking which PPT they should buy. I just tell them not to buy one yet. I’d be a terrible sales manager.

For me, it's very more complex than you, because Yes i'm collector, but i'm majority conn f mezzo soprano player, you know the sax that never interested by praticaly all sax player, lol XD

But when i want buy mouthpiece i know only get a sax to made special model for that,

It's Shop in usa, i live in France, complex to try,
And for suitcase, i try on my Shop, for all other gear and accessories, i have this obligation to try before, just to know if it's compatible with my fabulous and lovely cute and rare conn f mezzo soprano horn

 

[Ghr9204]

But very little actual usefulness IMO, along with possible issues that it didn’t help the tuning (possibly true with the MKVI)

I gather that if the bell was extended similar to a low-A vs low-Bb bari, then it is possible it was properly acoustically designed. Maybe I missed something but I haven't seen a photo of one to be sure.

 

[jcn664]

This is a nice example of an unusual alto. Today with our modern saxes we normally only see baritones with low A.

For the artist it would give flexibility to extend the bottom say in saxophone improvisation.

Unusual maybe, but it's very great intonation et excellent sound, great horn, that i can say that, it's really good horn

 

[PigSquealer]

Collecting, on the other hand, makes no sense.

Collectors are uniquely different. There are many different reasons why collectors acquire items of interest. Maker, historical timeline, art, cultural significance. Materials and technology. You name it. Museums are “collections”. Many collectors are humble hobbyists. Items as simple as coins, stamps, salt & pepper shakers, watches, ink pens or comic books. None of which necessarily have use or purpose in daily life. Only to be enjoyed as display items.

I need to collect a dozen more $15 used stands. Never tested one before buying.

 

[Keshr]

In the C-Mel world it's nigh on impossible to try them out. They are almost all either private sellers on the e auction site, on the charity auction site, in forum classifieds, or a 325 mile drive to the vintage shop.

All of my current horns (2 alto, 1 C-Mel) were purchased online. I have bought others, but have since sold them on.

 

[jcn664]

Collectors are uniquely different. There are many different reasons why collectors acquire items of interest. Maker, historical timeline, art, cultural significance. Materials and technology. You name it. Museums are “collections”. Many collectors are humble hobbyists. Items as simple as coins, stamps, salt & pepper shakers, watches, ink pens or comic books. None of which necessarily have use or purpose in daily life. Only to be enjoyed as display items.

I need to collect a dozen more $15 used stands. Never tested one before buying.
View attachment 32180

It's four alto ???

 

[jcn664]

In the C-Mel world it's nigh on impossible to try them out. They are almost all either private sellers on the e auction site, on the charity auction site, in forum classifieds, or a 325 mile drive to the vintage shop.

All of my current horns (2 alto, 1 C-Mel) were purchased online. I have bought others, but have since sold them on.

It's even worse for Conn F mezzo soprano, for King saxello, for perfect curved/semi curved lyons and healy

For couesnon alto low A high G, for all Adolphe sax Saxophone, and straight alto buescher too

 

[Keshr]

It's even worse for Conn F mezzo soprano, for King saxello, for perfect curved/semi curved lyons and healy

For couesnon alto low A high G, for all Adolphe sax Saxophone, and straight alto buescher too

I bet it is hard to find those. I've been in the same room with a Conn F mezzo, a King Saxello, a Conn-o-sax, and an Adolph Sax, none of which were for sale.

There are 3 King Saxellos for sale here:
Vintage Saxes Shop | Saxquest