Buying Student Saxophones on eBay 

I don’t know if I’m the first to ask this, but would it be possible for the repair department to go over these horns and film an afterwards video of how they play and at what cost? This would be of the utmost educational value to new families seeking the whole picture of purchasing a second hand instrument. Thank you!

I got a Chinese model too. They're better now, and I feel like these improving cheaper models will get more people playing.

You should do a video about before and after with the horns you bought on EBay, and how much the cost was.

I bought an old tatty Alto Sax (a Boston) for £120 on FB marketplace. It cost £30 to fix a squeaky D key and I bought two spare key pearls for £3.99 and glued them on. Interesting enough the mouthpiece was a barely used Selmer C* and also included x4 sax music books plus an old but decent case. It’s an ok student useable instrument now for travelling to workshops. It sounds nothing like my Yani AW101 but that never leaves home!!

I started on a bundy.... never knew how bad it was until I played on a yamaha.....

I agree about modern saxophone developments. I started over 30 years ago on a Bundy. Today I wouldn't touch one with a 40 foot pole. They're just garbage by modern (anything the last 20+ years) standards.

The Armstrong and Amati horns would be nice for starting out me thinks.

What neck strap are you using there, Jim ? Is the adjuster button something you press to move or just something you grip ?

I bought a cheap Chinese sax from Amazon that had a really good rating. Basically couldn't play it. Struggled with it for a week and finally went to the shop. They told me to try out one of their student Yamahas. Few days later I left that shop with my own Yamaha and sent the cheap horn back to Amazon. Now maybe it's just the luck of the draw, but the horn I got was... Not good. I was just starting out so had a lot of trouble figuring out what's wrong with it, but all I knew was that Yamaha just felt right. Also the shop told me that they don't bother repairing cheap Chinese horns as the likelihood that something will break is high and replacement parts aren't really available.

I might add if you had tried the instrument before you bought them and knew what you were doing it would probably be a different story.

If you don't know what you're looking for, and many pro sax players are bad ebay buyers - look for the 100% seller rating and a recent overhual/repair from a verified technician.

Funny opening comment bearing in mind nearly all mark VIs are second hand?.

I started on an old Bundy back in the mid 90s. I kinda miss that old key style. It had some really good, quick action.

Not only do I agree with this statement about second hand saxophones, but I agree 100%. Those of us blessed with an instrument which can play unhindered by external influences have a greater chance of prosperity and triumph.

Pink looks good on you Jim ;)

The Bundy could be a keilwerth - sounds great - cant fault it for being old.

I’d kill for that gorgeous pink sax! 💗 Sounded so much warmer than the Jupiter too!

Question, what do you think about a alto Bundy Selmer 1 for a beginner? I was given one awhile ago and have slowly been fixing it.

If you don’t like the bundy, don’t try any old Conns or Bueshers. They are great players. My personal 1970’s Grassi tenor and Mark Vi soprano has that old feel but I love it. My other horns are up to date.

If you doubt the danger of buying a used sax be informed I just spent NZ$1600 getting an old Selmer overhauled (basically just a repad and polish). The horn originally cost $1200. However if you are a skilled/informed buyer auction sites can be the source of true bargains

What an excellent idea for a video!

Such a fun idea for a video

what are you going to do with them now?

Picking up a middle cost of instruments, no pains, happy hour, on and on.later will know, who are the best, which saxo are fixed.

The real risk buying saxes on ebay is with very spendy vintage pro horns. I've bought several that way and have been quite lucky, but it's easy to get a horn that needs more work than was represented, to put it mildly. The point you made about vintage keywork and intonation is well made. I can usually get vintage horns blowing if they're not mechanically wrecked, but as I consider getting a tenor back into my world, I think I'll buy a new horn with warranty and support.

A Barbie saxophone isn't exactly what I had in mind!

My TJ classic Tenor and Alto are fine but the tone from my much maligned 80's Bundy 2 alto is richer despite the dings. My Corton tenor is like a tank but I could probably drop it from a second floor window and it would still play.

I prefer the standard neck. It has a more compact sound

Interesting

Lulz on the Bundy II ergos. That's the horn I learned on, and I remember the relief I felt the first time I played a horn with offset tone holes.

That into was abhorrently void of any and all saxophone. Disgraceful.

Amazing video!

Pink is the best