Monday, June 23, 2014

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.

One of the most common and possibly easiest ways to locate antique saxes is through the Internet. Similar to most other online purchases, you need to take extra precautions to protect yourself against scams. It can be hard to check if a sax is not counterfeit or has been appraised without documentation. For online shopping, you will need extra pictures of the sax for sale, the manufacturer, and year. You should also find out if there is a satisfaction guarantee or refund policy.

Make sure you know precisely what you are looking for. You need to be informed on what attributes a counterfeit sax would have and what a genuine one should look like. Saxes can vary from one year to the next. It is also important to learn the differences between alto and tenor saxes, not just in their appearances but also in their sounds.

In most cases, the saxes for sale will have been out of use for some time, which means that it can have some parts that are not in the best condition. You should thoroughly examine the saxophone whenever you can, paying particular attention to the octave pin and keys because these can be more difficult to repair or replace on an antique sax.

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.

Certifications and/or licensing is a must for dealers. A dealer should have a verifiable sales or antique dealer license. Certifications should be from a known professional organization. You have the right to ask for details to verify any information that is supplied by the seller. Keep in mind, however, that licensing laws vary from state to state and are often different in other countries. In many instances, a seller only has to be licensed in the state where he or she operates.

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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