Inheritance King...

[CBsSilversonic]

I have inherited 2 King saxophones.

Both are Silversonics.

One is an alto and the other is a baritone.

I have done some research and realize both are rare, but the baritone seems to be non-existent.

Any idea of the value. I realize they have pearls on all of the keys. the side keys have pearls on them. I have been offered some for them, but would like to fine more information.

[SaxPlayer1004]

www.saxpics.com

look at king super 20's

[CBsSilversonic]

That's nice and all, but doesn't answer my question.

I have researched it as I already stated. That website is a lot of pictures, some information on the production of them, but NO information on value.

It did not even state that there even existed a Silversonic baritone saxophone with a silver bell, yet it sits in front of me.

The alto I have not like the ones in the pictures they have.

Please do not make offers. This a family item and all I am looking for is it's value.

[Robert_Allan]

I have inherited 2 King saxophones.

Both are Silversonics.

One is an alto and the other is a baritone.

I have done some research and realize both are rare, but the baritone seems to be non-existent.

Any idea of the value. I realize they have pearls on all of the keys. the side keys have pearls on them. I have been offered some for them, but would like to fine more information.


Please post a picture of the horns, if you can. I've never seen a baritone Silver Sonic and until I see one, or a photo of one, I'm going to continue assuming they don't exist.

As far as value is concerned, the exact vintage and condition will have some bearing on value, but assuming excellent condition, and desirable serial numbers, I'll say $7,500 - $9,000 for the alto, and $13,000 - $20,000 for the baritone. That's for Silver Sonics with pearl side and table keys. The bari may be worth even more, since if you've got one it may be a one of a kind instrument.

My opinion is just that, only an opinion. I'm not an expert in any way, and I would be very careful selling either instrument, to make sure you realize maximum value.

Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

[Yellowhorn]

This may help:

KING
Except for the Saxello, I can't find anybody expressing much interest in the Kings made before the Zephyr. I find their intonation to be sketchy at best. The engraving is beautiful, but they just don't play very well. The Zephyr is a killer! The Zephyr Special had a solid silver neck and mother of pearl key touches. I understand there were a few made with sterling silver bells. After the mid 1950's, the Zephyr became an intermediate model, so deduct 30%. The Zephyr baritone remained essentially unchanged throughout the production run and sound great. Most of the Zephyr series was in lacquer, add 15% for silver. 20% for gold. Around number 272XXX, the Super 20 was introduced. The first examples had mother of pearl key touches; sunburst engraving on the bell keys; socket necks; and optional sterling silver necks (add 15%) and sterling silver bells (add 30%). Around 430XXX, the Super 20 was cheapened considerably: the neck changed to a conventional style; the bell key engraving eventually went away; the mother of pearl inlay was long since gone. Deduct 25% for horns after this number. There are a few examples with gold inlay on the silver bell (add 15%), a few rare silver plated horns (I own one, add 20%); and a very few gold plated ones (add 25%). There are, of course, a very few Super 20 baritones, some with silver necks (add 15%) and I have seen one with a silver bell. I think the Kings have strong upside appreciation potential.
Saxello soprano $ 3200 add 15% for gold plate
Alto Zephyr $1800
Alto Zephyr Spcl. $2400 add 15% for silver neck
Alto Super 20 $2600 see above commentary for adjustments
Tenor Zephyr $ 2400
Tenor Zephyr Spcl $ 3000 add 15% for silver neck
Tenor Super 20 $ 3400 see above commentary for adjustments
Baritone Zephyr $ 2900
Baritone Super 20 $ 4000

[bruce bailey]

Worth a lot. Photos will let us make a proper guess.

[donjazzsax]

I've never seen a Silver Sonic with pearls. I have a late model Silver Sonic tenor. I've only come across ones with just the optional silver neck? Post some pics of that bari please

[kingsax]

I think this guy,s a bull*****r i dont think for one moment he has a silversonic bari, people have asked for pics, and he aint produced....speaks for itself i think.

[drakesaxprof]

I've never seen a Silver Sonic with pearls.

Beautiful example--not mine, though!
My own is a brass bell, silver neck, side pearls, 313K, ca. 1951.

[NissanMarkVII]

It was 3 years before I had a way of posting pics. However if I had something that rare, I'd find a way to post it somewhere!

[NissanMarkVII]

I've never seen a Silver Sonic with pearls.

Beautiful example.

Friend of mine has a full pearled Silver Sonic Alto. Not in near the shape as the one pictured though!

[Souportwenty]

I would also like to see pictures of the Silversonic bari. For me, they are still a thing of myth until I actually see one (or at least pictures). The value of the Silversonic bari could be big bucks! I'm thinking it could be as much as $10,000.00!

[bruce bailey]

Maybe that will get the original poster back.

[kingsax]

Maybe that will get the original poster back.

As Clint Eastwood once said, maybe.....maybe not.
Sorry, couldent resist.

[donjazzsax]

Wow, thanks drake for the pic. that looks like the mother ship. Man King saxes rock. Do you have any more pics of that one or the website.

[drakesaxprof]

Wow, thanks drake for the pic. that looks like the mother ship. Man King saxes rock. Do you have any more pics of that one or the website.
I snagged that from an auction a few years ago, along with these below.

[kingsax]

Wow, thanks drake for the pic. that looks like the mother ship. Man King saxes rock. Do you have any more pics of that one or the website.
I snagged that from an auction a few years ago, along with these below.




There was a guy only last year selling one of these, an aniversary limited edition(tenor) Frank Catlyano or some such name and he was asking somewere in the region of $16000 he was also selling a very nice S.B.A. again for big bucks, not sure if he sold them though.

[Souportwenty]

It seems the mythical Silversonic bari remains an unsolved mystery. When I said #10,000, I was actually thinking more like $20,000.00 but thought the price might encourage CBsSilversonic to post a picture or two. Alas, the legend lives on and the proof remains shrouded in secrets...

[kingsax]

It seems the mythical Silversonic bari remains an unsolved mystery. When I said #10,000, I was actually thinking more like $20,000.00 but thought the price might encourage CBsSilversonic to post a picture or two. Alas, the legend lives on and the proof remains shrouded in secrets...

Yeah, kind of like the loch ness monster of saxophone land, ok he's got the alto and like many of us here maybe he has the tenor two and not the bari?

[mascio]

i really think the op doesn't know the difference between a tenor and a baritone. She'll find out on her own.

[donjazzsax]

Wow, thanks drake for the pic. that looks like the mother ship. Man King saxes rock. Do you have any more pics of that one or the website.
I snagged that from an auction a few years ago, along with these below.




Man, that is the ultimate king. Simply put "beautiful craftmanship".

[CBsSilversonic]

Hello again. I have read the comments above. I have no need to post any pictures. Why should I? It is an alto and a baritone. Not a tenor. They both look like the tenor piectured. I found out what I needed to know. It won't be for sale so please don't ask. Thank you for your time.

[Palomorado]

If you do have such a mythical beast and can prove that one was ever built then you do have a reason to show pictures. It doesn't hurt you to do this and you would be helping out the vintage saxophone world tremendously.

Until the time that the saxophone world at large sees pictures of a Silversonic Bari there will be no reason to believe that such a thing exists. If you are truly the guardian of this information and you choose to keep it entirely to yourself that is your choice to make.

[drakesaxprof]

Any idea of the value. I realize they have pearls on all of the keys. the side keys have pearls on them. I have been offered some for them, but would like to fine more information.


Hello again. I have read the comments above. I have no need to post any pictures. Why should I? It is an alto and a baritone. Not a tenor. They both look like the tenor piectured. I found out what I needed to know. It won't be for sale so please don't ask. Thank you for your time.

To be clear, you came here with a request for information. Clearly, no value can be assessed in the absence of photographic evidence. If you don't feel like taking or posting pictures, that is your right. If you don't know how, we can help you. It's a strange thing to come here with request like yours, and then respond as you have. No one here has asked if they are for sale, yet several of us have kindly attempted to provide you with information. The least you could do is come forward with a few photos that would shed light on your original question.

In light of this information from hnwhite.com, it would be interesting to some. "...the baritone Super 20 may have come with a silver bell."

[CBsSilversonic]

This is new to me. the reason I ask for the value is for insurance. I have personal reasons that I connot show pictures at the moment. Family issues can be complicated. Yes I did come here, but now I know more of what I have and did not want to raise doubt. I am a cello player. The family memeber I recieved this from was a saxophone player. I undersatnd the value of intruments. My cello is worth much more.

Please forgive my lack of your requests for pictures and more information.

Thank you.

[drakesaxprof]

This is new to me. the reason I ask for the value is for insurance. I have personal reasons that I connot show pictures at the moment. Family issues can be complicated. Yes I did come here, but now I know more of what I have and did not want to raise doubt. I am a cello player. The family memeber I recieved this from was a saxophone player. I undersatnd the value of intruments. My cello is worth much more.

Please forgive my lack of your requests for pictures and more information.

Thank you.

Perhaps in the future, when your family issues have resolved, you will be willing to post some photos for us. There are many King enthusiasts here who would be very interested to see a Silversonic baritone saxophone, as I have not seen a picture of one anywhere, either print or electronically. At that time, if you like, feel free to send me a PM (click on my name and select from the drop-down list), and I can help with the process of posting photos. Many would be very appreciative.

Your cello bow is probably worth more than many of our saxophones...but we still get excited about them!

[kingsax]

Personal reasons why he cant post pics? the only one i can think of besides the obvious one is that maybe he can't afford a digicam....but wait a minute he has two saxes potentialy worth $20.0000 plus and a chello worth more! so that cant be right.
As Drakesaxprof said it was YOU who came wanting information that people here have tried to help you with, if you can't be bothered to provide pics why should we be botherd with you, remember many of the guys here are professional players who have been playing most of their lives and something as significant as this is of great interest... but hay, you can't be bothered hope you enjoy it.

[bruce bailey]

Maybe he doesn't want Uncle Bill to realise his saxes are missing.