Saxophones What to avoid?

[Grumpikins]

New here, first question?

I'm a tuba player, looking to find a saxophone(s) for occasional doubling. I took a saxophone class when I was in school 20+ years ago. Went very well, really enjoyed it. I play in a group that is frequently short on saxophones and abundant with tubas so I can fill in where needed.

My question isn't what horns should I look for, but what i horns i should avoid. There's always those certain ones that are no good all around.

I'm looking for dirt cheap used instruments. I really like old instruments. I'm very good at repairing things and I work in a machine shop with access to all the toys. Thank you

 

[PigSquealer]

New here, first question?

I'm a tuba player, looking to find a saxophone(s) for occasional doubling. I took a saxophone class when I was in school 20+ years ago. Went very well, really enjoyed it. I play in a group that is frequently short on saxophones and abundant with tubas so I can fill in where needed.

My question isn't what horns should I look for, but what i horns i should avoid. There's always those certain ones that are no good all around.

I'm looking for dirt cheap used instruments. I really like old instruments. I'm very good at repairing things and I work in a machine shop with access to all the toys. Thank you

Hello @Grumpikins and welcome to Café Saxophone.
My first question is what is your budget ? Second question is alto or tenor ?
Lots of quality vintage horns to choose from.
Decent condition project horns can be had for sub $300. Add another $125 in parts / supplies. Maybe another $100-$200 in specialty tools.
Having access to a machine shop is very helpful. Being handy in diverse repair too. Be aware repairing / refurbishing a sax is unlike anything you can imagine. These things are deceiving in needs. All small stuff. My best suggestion is to study repairing from multiple sources. Ten techs, ten different techniques, one task. Each successful.
There’s repair threads here on the Café to study from too.

Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro

General saxophone and sax playing related discussion

cafesaxophone.com

 

[hedgehog]

Welcome, @Grumpikins

In case you haven't found it yet, @PigSquealer shares his mad skills thru this thread

Also, there's the Haynes Saxophone Manual written by @Stephen Howard It's no longer in print but if you can find a used copy, you would find it useful (as I say, my saxophone skills are minimal but from bicycle and automotive experience I know a good manual when I see it and this one is really good.) Wow...I just checked Amazon...there are three copies starting at US $289.

Repairer Matt Stohrer has a lot of videos here. One cool thing about Storher is his shop is in an Airstream trailer.