A diamond in the rough???

[tjontheroad]

I bought this $621 pre-jubilee tenor sax on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7402485694&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fse arch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D7402485694%26fvi %3D1) as a beater horn for outdoor and local biker bar gigs. I opened the case when it arrived and found a very rough looking horn. Lots of scratches and worn lacquer. To my surprise, when I played it sounded and played not bad at all. Good intonation for the most part. No pad leaks. Even the high notes popped out with ease. The tone is even interesting. Overall, it reminds me of my Series III that is plainly designed after.

It's just good to know you don't always have to spend megga cash to get a nice sounding and playing sax.

[Tryptykon]

I have a pre-Jubilee Borgani also yours is a little bit older; although given the
low production numbers, they are, quite possibly, the same year.

Yours is s/n18,7xx, and mine is 19,1xx(Pearl Silver)

I had a Jubliee in 24K gold that was also 19,xxx so I'd say that the quality
by that time in the pre-Jubilee Borgs was completly sorted out despite the
lack of a "J" stamping.

Actually, I preferred the sound of the Silver and sold the Gold Jubilee to a
friend .

They did change some things w/ the Jubliees; different spacing on the RH stack,
the traditional pearl alt. front F pearl became evolved to a teardrop shape spatula.

The Borganis are completely handmade so they all have slight variances.

You have a great horn, for a lot cheaper than you could expect to pay; I
think I might've grabbed that one, at that price, too !8-)

[tjontheroad]

The Borganis are completely handmade so they all have slight variances.

You have a great horn, for a lot cheaper than you could expect to pay; I
think I might've grabbed that one, at that price, too !8-)


It's very "exterior challenged" to be kind. There’s scratches all over the body. The keys have a lots of plating wear. Overall it feels and plays on the klucky side. Mostly, the spatula keys are like handling a pile of spoons. For the money, it was a good deal. Although I can’t see it worth a complete overhaul as that’s what it really needs.

It’s a shame it wasn’t taken better care of. The tone is bright and yet still full sounding. It kinda reminds me of Yamaha like sound. I does play well from top to bottom. I bet it was very nice when new.

[Tryptykon]

If it's anything like mine, it's worth the overhaul-- huge blowing horn.8-)