Buying Guide For 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.

Similar to other collectible items, you may find a lot of sax listings online. As with any other online purchases, it is important to be cautious and thorough to avoid getting scammed. It may not always be possible to request authenticity or appraisal documents, so you need to ask questions. You should ask the seller specific information about the year it was made and the manufacturer. Request current pictures and find out if there is a written return agreement.

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.

Do some price checking before you buy the sax. Contact other collectors or experts to determine the actual value of the sax. If it seems that the seller is asking too much, you can try to negotiate for a lower price or just pass on the purchase and find another one that is in the right price range. After you have checked around for price averages, create a set amount to spend and stick to it.

Sellers should have experience with antique sales, minimally. Experience with selling antique instruments is preferred but not always possible. Credibility should be a huge factor. The Better Business Bureau is a good source for determining if a seller is credible and if there have been complaints made.

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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