Saxophones Eek Second Chance Ebay Offer For that Selmer MkVI

[QWales]

Hi Guys,

I just received a second chance offer for this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1969-SELM...T-/200966129652?ssPageName=ADME:X:SCO:GB:1123 and am in two minds.

Firstly I don't know anything about them other than their rep. Does it look like all the lacquer has been removed to you and is that why it's so shiny?

Secondly I am almost certainly not a good enough player to tell if it's a good or bad one.

Thirdly I don't trust second time offers as it makes me think that either there is a problem with it and the other person walked away or they were bidding themselves to boost the price.

If it's not a good one to play, can it be an impossible or very expensive job to make it a good one?

It does look nice in the pics and seem quite cheap for one of these, how far wrong can I go? With regards to money, I have just sold my old campervan so can afford this.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated. I have 21 hours to decide if I want it or not. Feeling quite nervous now

 

[Ads]

If that`s genuine then it`s a good buy as an Investrment .. Second time offers can be a case of cold feet with expensive items like that and some people get a kick out of bidding on collectors stuff, it`s a weird world ..

IF I was in the market for a MkVI Alto AND had the cash then First I`d want to speak to the person on the phone, preferably a real landline as anyone can buy a Pay you go sim card and see how they were to talk to, I can usually tell pretty well who I`m dealing with after 5 minutes and whether I`d want to take things further .. no doubt it`s out of travelling distance (they always are for me) are they prepared to pack it properly. also you have the phone number of the person who looked at it in the Auction , ask her if she thinks the horn is genuine and if its a good one (Gill Baker Woodwind repair)

I`d speak to Gill then ring the guy - you have his name and address on the same receipt photo

 

[Nick Wyver]

I wouldn't waste my money on it. I'd go to a reputable dealer and try before buying.

 

[QWales]

If that`s genuine then it`s a good buy as an Investrment .. Second time offers can be a case of cold feet with expensive items like that and some people get a kick out of bidding on collectors stuff, it`s a weird world ..

IF I was in the market for a MkVI Alto AND had the cash then First I`d want to speak to the person on the phone, preferably a real landline as anyone can buy a Pay you go sim card and see how they were to talk to, I can usually tell pretty well who I`m dealing with after 5 minutes and whether I`d want to take things further .. no doubt it`s out of travelling distance (they always are for me) are they prepared to pack it properly. also you have the phone number of the person who looked at it in the Auction , ask her if she thinks the horn is genuine and if its a good one (Gill Baker Woodwind repair)

I`d speak to Gill then ring the guy - you have his name and address on the same receipt photo

Thanks Ads, that's really good advice. Shame Gill closes at 12:30, I just missed her.

 

[Saxdiva]

The first question is, why do you want it? Is it because you really want it to play? Because you thought it was a bargain and everyone wants one? To make money as an investment?

If you really want a Mark VI, Milandro has one in the yard sale at a very good price and for a an extra few hundred £ more, you get one that is known to you that is in excellent condition and in brass. Otherwise, if it was me, I wouldn't buy one without trying it first.

My tutor tried over 20 of them before finding 'the one'. There are a lot about, they're not yet rare. I have read that the silver ones are not as sought after.

 

[QWales]

Thanks Saxdiva,
i guess I would have to answer yes to all of your questions. I wasn't really looking for one but if I was it would be in silver and this one seems to be a good price. Also I wonder if I will get the same chance to get one in this condition for this price in a few years time. I am very fussy when it comes to condition, I don't really go for the worn out look and I wonder how many really clean MkVI's, in silver, are left out there.

Is the good / bad one think something only an expert would really know?

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

Its a nice looking sax and in silverplate, if your not sure could you get a forum member to go with you I wonder to try it out, Tom Map springs to mind as he's local to you, yes a bit of a ball ache but less of a ball ache than finding out its duff...

 

[Saxdiva]

The description says it still has 100% of its original laquer, but it looks like unlaquered silver and has what looks like some marks from a polishing tool (as the servicing receipt suggests). I would ask for clarification on that.

Not all MkVIs have a special tone, or good intonation. The first will have an impact on re-sale value and the second might. Most people buying something like that will want to try it first. If you haven't played a vintage sax before, you should definitely play one first. They are usually trickier to play, but worth it if the tone is something special.

Ask for a photo of the serial number block on the body to make sure it matches the receipt. It should be visible on the picture with the join between bow and bell but must be just out of shot.

Ask what happened to the original sale and why the buyer pulled out.

Most importantly, take the time to go and see it. The postage is too low for insurance cover.

 

[Ads]

My tutor tried over 20 of them before finding 'the one'. There are a lot about, they're not yet rare. I have read that the silver ones are not as sought after.

I think the problem with "The one" is that it can be a wild goose chase, we all know about sample variation and that there are the odd dull , dead sounding MkVIs out there but chasing the perfect sample could be a lifetime of fruitless searching & missing out on owning a "Nearly the one" example .

The advice to have a look into Milandro's was an excellent idea, a known horn sold by someone known to us all , that`s if he`s willing to ship & maybe negotiate with Q - He could have sold that Bari 10X over if he`d have shipped that, thankfully Altos are a lot smaller ..

Good advice on Vintage horns, agree totally

 

[QWales]

Its a nice looking sax and in silverplate, if your not sure could you get a forum member to go with you I wonder to try it out, Tom Map springs to mind as he's local to you, yes a bit of a ball ache but less of a ball ache than finding out its duff...

It would be great if some one was local and game but I am 100 miles from the Sax and Tom is another 45 miles in the other direction. I doubt he'd want to make that journey for/with someone he doesn't even know. Even with the blood connection ;-D

 

[QWales]

The description says it still has 100% of its original laquer, but it looks like unlaquered silver and has what looks like some marks from a polishing tool (as the servicing receipt suggests). I would ask for clarification on .

My thoughts exactly. If someone has stripped the lacquer, that's not a good thing?

Re why the first person backed out:
He said " The lady who won the auction had no idea she was even bidding for the sax - apparentely her daughter had been using her account without her knowledge - she let me know this morning."

 

[Saxdiva]

It would be great if some one was local and game but I am 100 miles from the Sax and Tom is another 45 miles in the other direction. I doubt he'd want to make that journey for/with someone he doesn't even know. Even with the blood connection ;-D

Do you have a tutor or a repairer that you know who could go?

 

[Saxdiva]

My thoughts exactly. If someone has stripped the lacquer, that's not a good thing right?

It depends. If you want it to look like new it's a good thing. If you want it in original condition and it was originally laquered then not so good.

 

[QWales]

It depends. If you want it to look like new it's a good thing. If you want it in original condition and it was originally laquered then not so good.

I guess it would affect resale if I didn't get on with it?

I don't have a local expert I'm afraid. I think it's a big ask to someone you don't really know too.

Taking the kids out know so will do some pondering and then come back to see if I have any more good advice. Thanks everyone.

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

100 miles to check out something that could be so special would be nothing to me, just saying...

 

[kevgermany]

Silver plated saxes are usually unlacquered. Not sure about these. I'm a fan of silver plated saxes, but a lot of peple aren't.
For me a couple of hours drive each way to take a look would be worth while.
I don't like the pull out reason for teh previous winner, but it could be an excuse and the seller is genuine.

If you really want a MkVI for investment, looks like a good buy... But if you want one to play, Milandro's would probably be better.

But if you're going to buy, I'd do it face to face, and I'd still pay by paypal.

 

[Pyrografix]

I'm always dubious of second chance offers - the 'winning bidders' can easily be planted by the seller to hike up the price....

 

[kevgermany]

I'm always dubious of second chance offers - the 'winning bidders' can easily be planted by the seller to hike up the price....

Yes, agree. But it's still a good price.

 

[DavidUK]

Could be a scam. I was offered a 2nd chance a while ago when I was the 5th highest bidder!? It WAS a scam.

 

[Saxdiva]

http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Alto/selmer_mkvi_alto.htmhttp:

Have you read this review from Steve? Take his advice. Try before you buy. Even if you haven't got someone to take, go and make sure you like it and can play it the way you want to. If it looks good, sounds good to you, is working as it should do then you will be delighted and it will be worth the trip.