Saxophones Ebay a good place to buy a saxophone?

[audsnire]

Hi there,

Last night I decided to place a bid on a saxophone on Ebay. Today, I've received advice from somebody who knows a bit about these things that this is not such a good idea. This guy says that every saxophone he bought on Ebay (and he bought a few) had leaks and needed repadding and other adjustments. He also said if bidding on Ebay, then allow up to an extra €400 to spend on it afterwards!! Is he right?? What have your experiences been with buying over the internet?

 

[U CAN CALL ME AL]

You pays your money you takes your chance. Frequently referred to as the Devil's Junkyard there are countless tales of the sax from hell. To be fair I have bought 3 saxes on ebay they were'nt cheap, a Leblanc rationale superb alto, two Conns, 10M and 12M, both the Conns needed minor adjustments and regulation which wasn't expensive. I still have and use them all. I wouldn't part with any of them. Be careful out there on ebay research your purchase well, year value etc., ask questions of the buyer and for some hi res pictures if possible, if the seller is cagey or reluctant to provide such infu draw your own conclusion.
,

 

[Justin Chune]

Some ebay buyers say that they always factor in the cost of an overhaul when bidding for saxophones. Saxophones are expensive to repair, so it pays to be very careful.

Jim.

 

[BUMNOTE]

I bid and got a yamaha tenorsax yts23,with otto link metal mpc for £195...got it checked out by my teacher and a sax tech,turned out to be a....beaut!!!Bumnote.

 

[Andrew Sanders]

Just had a Hanson ST8 from their factory via Ebay, brand new and guaranteed for 5 years. I think that was a safe bet.
And Hanson's is only 45 minutes down the road from me so I could have nipped down with the lads if it was a duffer.
Ebay is always a gamble but I had some great deals for good instruments.

Andy

 

[Pyrografix]

You do have to be careful - check out the seller's feedback, and ask questions to clarify condition and details so you have a written record - just in case you do get a lemon. But having said that I've bought and sold few saxes in the junkyard, and never been disappointed.
Good luck!
Amanda

 

[BigMartin]

For what it's worth...

I've bought three saxes on eBay. Two cheap sopranos, first one advertised as "as new" which it was. Picked it up in person so had a chance to blow on it. No problems. Second was new from Discount Musical. Advert said it had a top G but actually only goes to F#. Otherwise fine, and sounds a bit nicer than the first one. One Gear4Music baritone sold as "immaculate" which it wasn't. But at £600-ish plus £100 to put it right I think I still got a bargain. Had a nervous few days before taking the bari to the tech, though.

 

[kevgermany]

Seems to be a little different here. Generally there are a lot of pictures and a clear description. I've bought a ton of saxes there. And only one had it's condition significantly overdescribed. That came from Lithuania, though.... But for the price, including shipping, it was good despite the extra work needed. Many saxes sold here as 'Needing work/not playing' play pretty well.....

 

[Taz]

I've had three saxes through ebay. Two were lemons but I still managed to sell them on and I made a small profit on both and the third is my curent horn, a nice little Amati, built by the Checs. I did give it a service after I bought it, but it was payable from purchase and very well described.

 

[jonf]

All good advice. I've bought dozens of saxes through eBay and never been let down, as I'm super-scrupulous about what I bid on and for how much. On the other hand, I've bought six saxes through user forums and three have been duffers! Probably just that I'm more cautious with eBay. Some of the eBay saxes I've had have been outstanding.

BUT I've been playing, buying and selling saxes for almost thirty years. If you don't know what you're doing, I'd say don't risk eBay, but support your local music shop.

 

[noelweston]

As others have said - you can get good instruments, but there is an element of chance in it.

I've bought one new and around 6 or 7 used instruments from ebay - only one of those (a Martin baritone) came unplayable and needed significant work doing. The others either played perfectly out of the box, or needed minor adjustments to get them perfect.

My Martin alto was shipped from the States, having been in someone's attic for a long while, and played beautifully - to date all it's had is one replacement octave pad.

 

[audsnire]

Thanks to everyone for your advice. This is the item I've bid on... Oh my, I'm so hasty sometimes. I'm getting nervous!!

The sellers profile is good and he has assured me that there are no pad leaks.......

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140783523137?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

Your thoughts and comments please....

 

[kevgermany]

keep your fingers crossed and don't pay too much, it's easy to get carried away on ebay.

btw, it's a YTS 25, not newer/the recently current 275. Might help that the seller has misspelled saxophone in the title.

It's start a debate, but there are bound to be guys saying that the 25s were better.... I don't know, haven't played either.

 

[audsnire]

btw, it's a YTS 25, not newer/the recently current 275. Might help that the seller has misspelled saxophone in the title.

Thanks kevgermany, I had noticed that. I'd heard that they were better built, but was concerned that maybe the pads might need some work. A chance you take indeed.....

Thanks for your input.