Selmer USA tenor SN 821xxx advice cost

[tsaxy]

Have located a #821,999 USA Selmer tenor . A dealer has it and wants $1200.
He states it is in good playing condition. Lacquer is original, but worn and spotted in and on the back side of the bell, bow, and back side of tube, the usual places . Have just seen pictures...Looks fair to good in a long shot, close ups not so good.

Have read good reviews on this model, but not sure if it is worth $1200. The dealer does allow a trial perod. Have not seen many on ebay to get a feel for what this model sells for.

Thanks

[sycc]

I paid $1799(brand new) for mine back in 1988. 1200 seems like a good deal. The USAs offer big bang for the buck. Very heavy brass on these saxes.

[saxmanglen]

I sold my 828xxx tenor a couple of years ago to Csharp for $1250. It was virtually a closet horn and looked brand new with flower engraving everywhere. He kept it a short while and resold it for the same. It sounds like the one your looking at may be a bit more "used". Picking it up closer to $1000 would be a fairer deal. IMHO.

[tsaxy]

Thanks for the info.
I was thinking in the 1K area, also.
I'll just be patient and wait.

Bob

[honkytone]

I've been watching the altos, and the dealers seem to be asking anywhere from $1,000 to $1,400 for those, all in pretty fine condition. Don't know what they're actually getting for them, though. I'd imagine they might be asking a little more tenors, so $1,200 may not be so bad.

[1saxman]

I usually get USA tenors for $750 to $850 on ebay. However, for #821999 I would probably go higher since it was from the first run of tenors, but it would have to have the original pads in servicable condition and be a good-looking horn.

[tsaxy]

Thanks, 1saxman.
This horn is due to arrive next Thursday. The shop is giving me a trial period.They would not budge from the $1200. price.They say they have been maintaining this sax for the past six years for a regular customer. It is on consignment. They say it is in good playing condition and nothing needs to be done in the way of pads or anything else. We shall see. The owner of the shop compares this horn favorably to his own sax, a 1958 Mark VI tenor.

I am hoping for this horn to ba a back up to my SML GM1 tenor (1958). Looking forward to comparing them. I use a older Miami Dukoff D9 silvolite, and a Dukoff nickle plated brass mpc. ('60s?), depending on the type of gig.

Thanks