How to buy a saxophone

One afternoon my Grade 8 music teacher sent me home with a white envelope. He told me to give it to my parents and not to look inside on the way home. The bus ride to my house was awful. I had a million scenarios in my head, I thought I was in trouble; my marks were bad, I didn’t know what was going on. Finally, I just couldn’t take it anymore, my curiosity and fear got the best of me and I opened the unsealed envelope (I think he knew me too well). What I found inside to my delight, was a note to my parents. In this note he explained that I was doing very well in music and that they should consider buying a saxophone for me to further my musical progress. Well, I was elated and couldn’t wait to get home that day! It was this letter home that started the process of buying the first musical instrument to ever enter my parents home.

When do you know its time to purchase a saxophone?

The decision to buy a saxophone or any instrument for that matter is a major financial and motivational consideration. For beginning students a new saxophone can serve as a great motivation for practice and achievement. Considerations before buying an instrument include the student’s commitment to the instrument, amount and frequency of regular practice time and the involvement in bands inside and outside of school. Generally students will reach this phase within the first two to three years on their instrument and as a guideline the students should be as committed to their instrument as the purchasers (most often parents) are to the financial arrangement.

Where to buy a saxophone

With continual development of technology and communication we now have many purchasing options available to us. Store front music stores, online music stores, online auctions, newspapers, magazines, pawn shops and word of mouth are all available and accessible to new and seasoned buyers. Not all shops are created equal and it is strongly advised that a saxophone is played by a knowledgeable player before the decision to purchase is made. That being said, although there may be some good deals online, it is important to deal with only reputable and known selling agents through this medium otherwise you may end up with a product that is either damaged or misrepresented. Store front music stores and reputable online music stores are great to purchase through as often they have a return policy, a warranty and provide you with an opportunity to try out the instrument. Newspapers, magazines and word of mouth sales are also a viable option. These venues will provide you with a playing opportunity and often a negotiable price. It is advisable that you do your research on the horn, its origin, history of ownership and repairs prior to making the trip out to see the saxophone. You may also want to request the serial number which is located just below the thumb rest on the back of the saxophone to ensure that the item is not stolen. Pawn shops offer a unique situation for the bargain hunter and those who don’t mind fixing up horns. Vintage and used horns are offered at bargain prices in these shops and their condition usually requires some repair work. It is really important to check the serial numbers of these instruments with the police to ensure that the purchase is indeed legitimate and not a sale of someone’s misfortune. Your best bet is to visit some reputable saxophone dealers that have store fronts and search online for price comparisons so that you can anticipate the price you should expect to pay.

New Saxophones

The feel and allure of a new saxophone is undeniable. For younger students it maybe the best option as the saxophone comes with the newest mechanisms, in top condition, with a warranty and store support. As a starting point for a young musician’s career this is a very smart choice and one that will holds its value for another two years or so when a step model is desired. The standard student saxophones can range in price but most are under $1000. These horns are usually a little stiffer in the key mechanisms, the rods are made out of nickel and silver, there is little to no engraving on the bell and they come with a shiny new lacquer. The materials used to make these saxes are lighter in weight than that of a professional model horn and lack the craftsmanship of a pro horn which the student will come to appreciate latter with experience. Generally student models have a gold tone body and silver keys and rods however; many of the newer saxes coming into the music stores have gold tone keys and rods in addition to the body. It used to be that student models were easily identifiable by these silver keys and rods as the semi professional and professional models were gold tone from top to bottom. This is no longer the case though. Student model saxophones may now be entirely gold tone from keys to body. Be sure to check the model and description to ensure you are getting the saxophone you are interested in. Some student models are described as semi professional models because of this cosmetic difference, it is advisable that you do your research before you get to the store and ask questions.

Used and vintage Saxophones

There is a certain mystery about vintage saxophones and their history that I particularly enjoy. The fact that the saxophone has a history of performing before my own makes it more of a partnership than an ownership arrangement. Used and vintage saxophones can be cost effective and an alternative to a new saxophone with a new saxophone price. The older saxophones are made out of heavier quality materials and offer craftsmanship through engraving details and mechanisms that is uncommon today. In many cases you will find a superior saxophone that is plated brass instead of lacquered creating a darker and more resonant tone than its contemporary counterparts. The most important consideration when buying a used or vintage saxophone is the condition in which it is. These horns are not usually in perfect shape unless they have been put away, most often there is some rod and/or key damage so be sure to try the horn before you purchase it. Before playing the instrument give it a thorough look for odors, green deposits in the horn and around the bell and keys. Any soldering or repair work done should not be visible, if you do see this the horn has not been repaired by a professional and the potential sale should stop there. Rust is also a common problem, look for this around the screws and rods this can be a sign of repair work to come. Also take a look on the underside of the keys. What do the pads look like? They should be thick, puffy and have metal or plastic tone resonators on them for clarity of tone. The pads should also fit snuggly against the tone holes, if not then repairs will need to be done and this should be factored into the final purchasing cost.

Purchasing considerations

There are many payment plans available to consumers in the music store. The best financial option is one that works for your pocket book present and future. Consider renting a saxophone if costs are prohibitive, often the store will allow you to work through a rent to own program at a premium interest rate. A monthly payment plan is also an option and usually results in less interest after a down payment is made. Purchasing an instrument outright is ideal from a financial standpoint however depending on circumstances it can be a financial hit that it hard to recover from within a year. It is always good to form a relationship with the owner or manager of the music store and visit enough times so that they know you are seriously considering making a purchase in their store. This relationship may help you barter a deal and reduce some interest rates along the way.

Conclusion

Do your research. Be sure to talk to music teachers, private saxophone teachers, professional players if possible. Consult with written material to determine what kind of saxophone you are looking for, the price range, the features and lemons to avoid. In some ways buying a saxophone is like buying a car, you never really know until you start driving it whether or not you have made a good purchasing decision. With some makes and brand names you will no doubt be making a smart purchase with others you may be getting a deal in the short run but losing in the long run. Be clear on the purpose of the saxophone whether it is a start up horn or a semi professional model. Think of how long you will own the saxophone and what your plans are for after it has served its purpose. Will you trade it in towards a step up model? Will you donate it to a needy school music program? Will it sit in the closet for nostalgia purposes? Will you want to pass it on as a family heirloom? There are many reasons for keeping and selling saxophones but one must formulate a game plan for the saxophone and determine when a new one needs to be implemented. Most importantly go armed to purchase a saxophone with reeds, a mouthpiece, a neck strap, a tuner, cork grease, a flashlight to detect leaks, a pencil and paper for notes, a list of questions on the history (repair, ownership, brand information) of the specific saxophone and finally someone who plays the saxophone and can give you an honest and qualified opinion about the instrument you are interested in purchasing.