Saturday, June 14, 2014

Tips For Buying 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.

Most vintage items, including saxes, are not used for a long time. Parts can become damaged, brittle, or even stuck. Whenever possible, physically examine the sax. Check for broken, missing, or damaged parts. Pay close attention to the keys, 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.

Is the seller certified or properly licensed? When working with dealers and large scale sellers, they should be able to provide proof of certifications and licenses to sell things. If you are dealing with an individual person making a one-time sale, however, this is not necessary. Individuals are not generally required to have any licensing to sell their own items.

When you are a new collector or buying an antique saxophone, it is natural to get overly excited. It is important, however, to remember this is likely going to be a fairly expensive purchase and should not be taken lightly. Counterfeit saxes are out there and knowing what to look for can help you avoid a huge mistake.




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