Vintage Alto Sax Wanted.

[Dfor]

Hi all,

Having bought myself a tenor my better half has decided that she wouldn't mind seeing if she can learn to play as well. The tenor is a bit big and heavy for her so we are on the lookout for a nice alto.

Ideally vintage cause that's just the way we are but possibly something like an older Yamaha (yas 23) etc. In reasonable condition cosmetic wise is fine but good playable condition important.

Does anyone have anything or know of anything that might fit the bill.

Thanks,

Keith.

 

[zannad]

Yamaha Yas23 vintage? Maybe you mean secondhand? As far as I know the Yas23 is a modern sax (not vintage)...
I think you are looking for a cheap sax and to be fair vintages aren't for beginners (as I've understood your better half is).
I might have a Gear4Music silver alto which plays great and is in great conditions - £180 including postage.

 

[Dfor]

I realise that the Yas23 isn't vintage, perhaps i didn't phrase it correctly. What I meant was that while prefering a nice vintage alto we may go for something newer but of good quality (such as the Yas23).

We are definately not looking for a cheap sax but a good quality one at a fair price.

Yes, we are both beginners.

Thanks, Keith.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Obviously, you may get a response from members here with instruments to sell.

Earlier this week, I went to see Stuart at Woodwind Exchange in Bradford (Link) I posted something about that on a different thread. Really helpful guy and loads of instruments, includnig more recent instruments as well as 'vintage' (as well as classic Conn, Martin etc., I tried A Yamaha 61 and a Selmer SA80).

 

[Nick Wyver]

Why vintage? Why make life difficult? Modern horns are a lot easier.

 

[Dfor]

Thanks for the input.

I bought my tenor from Stuart at Bradford and am very happy with it. I just thought I would see if anyone else had something nice to sell.

Nick: Why vintage. Hard to answer but it's just something in me. I've got old motorbikes, steam engines and lots of other 'junk'. I understand what you are saying though and seeing as it is for learning on I suppose a slightly more modern one might be better. We would still want a quality named sax though and not a cheap one.

I would still like to buy a vintage alto as well though, just because I fancy having one in the house.

So now could be looking for 2. Does this mean I've caught some disease or something?

Keith.

 

[trimmy]

So now could be looking for 2. Does this mean I've caught some disease or something? Keith.

Yep, it's called GAS and can be very hard to cure

This is on bay of e http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220847410979?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

if you see it in time !!!

 

[kevgermany]

If you want a different, but no less good approach, consider a German/Czech instrument from the 20s/30s. Some of the older French instruments are good, but tend to be overpriced. Especially if the name starts with an S (SML, Selmer etc. )

 

[jonf]

I've got a decent YAS23 for sale if you're interested. Let me know if you want details. Depending on how much you want to spend it could come with the original Yam 4c mouthpiece, a Rico Graftonite C5 or a Vandoren Java.

Jon

 

[Juju]

Hi Keith,
I bought a King Zephyr Alto from Woodwind Exchange earlier this year, and it's ever so easy to play! It's very easy to play in tune (Steve Crow has done some magic 😉 ) and mechanically it's a dream! They have a bad reputation tuning-wise, but I have made the opposite experience. Watch out for the serial number though. Soon after they started the King Super 20, the Zephyrs were not the top of the range model anymore. You pay a lot more for a Super 20, but a nice Zephyr will sound just as good. Conn 6Ms and Chu Berrys are also very nice and not too expensive but way more difficult mechanically and tuning-wise.
Juju

 

[TomMapfumo]

You could check out www.musinex.co.uk - which has free musical ads and is a bona fide service that I have used very acceptably in recent times. At time of going to press there are approx 9 Vintage altos, including a 1930 Buescher Aristocrat, an Olds Super, 2 Conn Chu Berry and several Selmers. Do have a look - people are honest in their descriptions and provide telephone no's, and say what the condition is like and whether or not ithas just had a service etc. You could get something around £500 or so.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[Dfor]

Trimmy - Watched it but went up a bit much for me considering my knowledge. Might have been a bargain for all I know but I'm not really a gambler.

Kev - What names/models should I be looking out for?

Jon - PM sent.

Juju - Many thanks for the info. I'll keep it stored away for when/if a King crops up.

Tom - Thanks for the link but on looking I had a feeling that some of the ads could be old. I emailed one (Buescher Aristocrat) and it was sold ages ago. I'll keep looking at it for new listings though.

Keith.

 

[kevgermany]

+1 for the Kings, my teacher has a Zephyr and it's the sweetest alto I've heard. Bar none! Beats his Yana, Mk VI hands down. WOrks really well with a Brilhart tonalin W Personaline...

Makes - First choice, Keilwerth or Kohlert, and their stencils(many...). I wouldn't worry too much about model, but there are some very tasty post war Keilwerths around with plexiglass keyguards. Keilwerth's top of the range models were the Tonekings. Most sought after Kohlerts are teh pre war VKS models, especially the ones with sheet metal keyguards with VKS cut into them, although I prefer the looks of the slightly earlier wire keyguard models. Be careful here as after WWII, the factories were nationalised and what was to become Amati continued to make sxes under both names for a while, but these are perceived to be of lower quality. Pre or during WWII is better. Or somewhat later. Kohlerts from about '56 were really good before the quality started to drop. .

 

[TomMapfumo]

www.musicalinstrumentsales.co.uk/saxsales.html is likely to be more up to date. It has 3 Martin Alto saxes, which may be worth checking out!

 

[jonf]

Jon - PM sent.

.

Replied to

Jon

 

[Juju]

Here is a very nice example of a Zephyr Special Alto... http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00kb3yg
Juju

 

[Young Col]

Juju
Lovely sound. Off topic (sorry others) - is that Dave in the pic? Just noticed it's on his gig list.

 

[Juju]

Juju
Lovely sound. Off topic (sorry others) - is that Dave in the pic? Just noticed it's on his gig list.

Yes that's right, Dave did the gig. Sam Mayne is playing the Zephyr...
Juju

 

[AlanU]

Hello Dfor, I have a vintage alto you may be interested in.

A 1925 Buescher True-Tone in silver plate with gold-washed bell.
The finish is excellent throughout with no dents anywhere although the bottom C guard has been re-soldered.
Recently re-built with all new pads.
Comes with original Buescher case, lyre, ligature and end cap.
Plays well with a big vintage American sound.

If you (or anyone else) are interested send me a PM and I'll e-mail some pictures.
Thanks

 

[AlanU]

Or, best of both worlds?
Mauriat PMXA-67R. The rolled tone hole model in 'vintage' finish.
Like new with original case, mouthpiece, ligature, sling etc.

Plays beautifully, big fat juicy sound.
I just have too many altos.

Any enquiries, just send a PM and your e-mail address and I'll send pictures.
Usual donation, of course.
Cheers