Vintage Meyer New York? 4M? Value?

[Saxaholic]

I was at the music store across the street today, just testing out a metal bari alto sax mouthpiece they had, when I happened to see this older looking hard rubber alto piece. It was on a student Wexler I think? Just as like a mouthpiece to be able to play (its a guitar store more than anything, but they do have saxes). Turns out its an old Meyer....says New York USA on it....size 4M medium chamber.

Has some discoloration and two tooth grooves, and one of the rails has a very, very slight deformity. The piece plays wonderfully, much better than my current Meyer 5M, although it plays equally if not more open. I'd compare to maybe a 5 or 6 in the current models.

I'm going to see if they'll sell it to me cheap....they probably don't know what it is since it was on a crap economy horn.

How much you guys think its worth in that condition, and if I could get it fixed up a bit, how much would it cost? Thanks.

Saxaholic

[Razzy]

Heh, offer them $60 and see what happens! If the piece plays great, all the better. A very slight deformity in a piece that old is pretty good, my new meyer 5M has a slight deformity in the tip rail too, but plays incredibly. Only problem I can foresee are the tooth grooves, I hate it when players bite so much that those grooves get in the piece. You could get it filled in if you think it's worth it, though I'd just slap a black bitepatch on it.

4M on one of those is pretty much equivalent to a new 6M. The old N.Y. meyers are more open by about two sizes than the label according to the newer meyer's standards.

[Joe]

Saxaholic, as to value, if it's the older NY USA model, then it will sell for $400 to $600. If it's the newer model, $300 to $500 is more the range they're going for. The older model has curved sidewalls that are rounded where they meet the baffle. The newer model has straight sidewalls, coming to an acute angle where they meet the baffle. Many players prefer the older NY USA over any other vintage Meyer. The newer model NY USA's that I've tried have played very similar to the current Meyers, only louder and brighter. Evidently the flaw isn't seriously affecting the way it plays and shouldn't be a major factor. The teeth grooves can easily be filled. Mouthpieceheaven.com has some good info about vintage Meyers.

I would talk to the store to see what it would take to get it. They may be willing to swap for another Meyer and you might have to throw in some cash. My philosophy has always been that if it's a shop/dealer selling something, then it's their job to know what it's worth and you're under no obligation to tell them their business. Now, if it's a private individual selling grandad's old mint Mark VI for $300, that's a different situation best left to the buyer's conscience.

[Saxaholic]

Joe: Thanks for your information and opinions. They are very much appreciated. I talked to the store owner today, he said the mouthpiece was going to be part of a saxophone purcahase: basically when this King saxophone was purchased, the mouthpiece went with it. He told me that he couldnt't sell it individually b/c it was consignment, and not his sale. I told him to throw $30-$50 at the owner of the horn/mouthpiece to see if he would bite. I don't think they have any idea to its value.

Let's hope he bites at a nice offer and see what I can come up with. I should know tomorrow. I'll post with any new information.

Joe: Where would I get the best market for the mouthpiece? And who does excellent mouthpiece "fix-up" jobs for a nice price? Thanks for your wisdom.

Saxaholic

[weinsteinwoodwinds]

Markings: 4 to left of Table, M to right. On front of Shank is "SMALL CHAMBER" and on Back of Shank is NEW YORK. On back side just above the shank it says "maYer" in large letters and below that "Bros" in very small engraving. Anyone have any idea of approx. value? Thanks. mark