How much would you pay for this Martin ?

[JACAM82]

I'm from Germany, and ebay.de has that Martin-Alto Sax:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2539940048&category=23 298&rd=1

How much should I offer ?
Where can I get a Martin Vintage Sax otherwise ?

Thanks!


Sorry, my English is not so good.

[Helen]

The horn looks very nice. If you are close to Berlin, you could email the seller and ask if you could come to try it out.

I don't know what the selling prices for American horns in Germany are, but Martins here in North America sell for less than Bueshers or Conns do. I don't know why really, they are great horns! The Handcraft is a little less expensive than some of the later models of Martins, but I have a Handcraft tenor that I really like.

I used a currency converter, and the prices of 800 EUR = $915 US and the 950 EU = $1086 US seem reasonable.

There must be some European vintage sax dealers you could contact, and find out if they have a Martin for sale. Some American dealers that often have vintage Martins include:

http://www.worldwidesax.com/

Worldwide Sax has a few Martins you could compare it to.

Others to check out include:

http://www.cybersax.com/
http://www.saxquest.com/
http://www.usahorn.com/
http://www.vintagesax.com/
http://www.junkdude.com/

Hope this helps a bit.

[The Martin]

Some shops in Holland...
http://www.saxshop.nl
http://www.saxtrader.nl
http://www.muziekcentrumvangorp.nl
http://www.saxpoint.nl/instrumenten_overzicht.htm

[Stencilman]

Between me and my kids, we have 6 Martin Handcraft altos. I paid anywhere from $200-$350US for 3 of them (the others were obtained through trades or rescued from coffee house walls). These horns were all in good condition but needed to be repadded.

My point is it seems a little high priced but Martins may go for more in Europe. If it is in perfect playing condition, it may be worth the money. I love the Handcraft Alto and f I didn't have the luxury of waiting to find a good one, I'd pay $1000 for one. The one you are looking at does not have the front high-F key which should lower its value compared to the Handcrafts made in the late 1920's that had the front F.