Finding And Purchasing Vintage Saxophones

By Ina Hunt


Although the market is generally small, there are still people who look for old musical instruments to buy. Vintage saxophones are included in these antique instruments. If you are looking for one of these saxes to purchase, you should have some ideas of where to look and how to choose.

It is quite common to find many saxes for sale on the Internet. You should make sure you are careful and do your research. Commonly, you may find it difficult to verify the value or authenticity, particularly when dealing with individuals. In these cases, you will have a little more work. You will need to get specific information about the sax including the year it was made and the manufacturer. Ask for more pictures and determine if they offer some sort of refund or return policy.

Gather information about the sax you want or are interested in buying. Learn the differences between counterfeit and genuine saxes. Educate yourself on the basics of a sax, down to the minor differences between year models. Compare alto and tenor saxes and how each one looks. These are important parts of weeding out the fakes from all the choices you have.

It is quite common to find antique saxes that have gone unused for awhile and have accumulated some dust. This can lead to damaged, non-working parts that affect the complete function of the sax. If you have the opportunity, physically examine each of the saxes you are considering. Certain parts may be irreplaceable or unrepairable and should not be broken or missing, such as the neck screw and octave pin.

It is a good idea to comparison shop so that you have a general price range that is acceptable. You can contact other experts about a specific sax and the asking price to determine if it is reasonable. Some sellers may have an asking price that is much higher than what the sax is really worth. When in doubt, walk away from it.

The sellers you deal with should have experience. They should know a substantial amount about saxes, including the worth of particular models. Sellers should also be credible. A quick check with the Better Business Bureau can show you if there are consumer complaints, what the issues were, and if they were resolved satisfactorily.

Sellers should have licensing and some kind of certification from a related organization. While this is not applicable for an individual person, dealers should have a proper business license for sales. Always ask for licensing information and verify it. Do not settle for excuses or vague answers when you request this information.

Buying an antique saxophone does not have to be confusing or stressful. If you take the time to learn a few things beforehand, you can spend more of your efforts on location the perfect sax at just the right price. A little knowledge can take you a long way.




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