should I consider this Vito?

[tessy]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to start playing tenor again after a 10 year hiatus. Sadly I sold my horn years ago and am now looking for something to get started again. I found a Vito tenor for sale on craigslist, and have found out that other than the Vito name, there are no other markings on the horn other than the serial number - 23021. Should I check this out? The guy's asking $700. I remember Vitos from my high school band days and had a negative opinion about them, until I read some favorable things on this forum. I checked out the Vito serial number thread, but am still unsure where this fits.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Theresa

[AhCheung]

Tess
there are various types of Vitos, among which very good ones manufactured in Japan and France (but I believe it says so on the horn).
If you can get pics and post them in your thread other SOTWers can help you further.

[goodsax]

What he said. If you can show me the bell engraving, I could give you a better idea about what you're considering, as could Kim Slava, another forum participant who is very knowledgeable of Vitos.

Rob

[saintsday]

Look here http://www.doctorsax.biz/vito_ser_nos.htm
Kim has been working on Vito and this is the best source I am aware of.
It gets tricky because these horns were manufactured by several different companies in different countries.

I've had several of the RH bell key models and they have been nice horns with a good voice and intonation. 700 isn't out of line for a tenor if the horn needs nothing and isn't likely to need anything for a while. I just sold a rough one with an honest description on eBay for 275 that will end up with all of that in it unless the buyer is doing the work himself. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMESO%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160100108316&rd=1&rd=1
If it doesn't look like that one, it better say Japan on it by the serial number and be brand new condition to make 700, or be one of the rare fully bell engraved French made horns.

If you can post a pic, it would help.

[goodsax]

Yikes! I missed that one. I might have gone for it just to get the neck for my Vito Beaugnier tenor. I have a neck for it, but it's sadly rippled and dimpled from dent removal work, and I paid $750 for my Vito tenor thinking it's worth every penny every time I play it.

[saintsday]

It's all fine, Rob. If you read the listing again, you will see that I mention dings in the body and neck. Nothing horrible in the neck, but not the nicest one either.
What kills me, is look at the description that I bought the horn on http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250086027077&rd=1&rd=1. Then look at the close up in my listing of a pad. Like I said in my listing, the seller is either a liar or complete incompetent.
This is not the first time that I've broken even with an honest description on a horn that I got hosed on.

[goodsax]

Saintsday: Thanks for making me feel better with that info. It looks like you did good getting your money back. That horn looks excellent in the photos of the original seller, and at $255 I'd consider it a steal from the info provided. Obviously, your description was much more accurate and complete than the one that lead to you buying the Vito. That pad in one of your photos looks totally destroyed. Is that a glitch in the photo? It's too bad because, otherwise, that's a fine looking Vito from what I can see.

[stefank]

I own Vito tenor 22351, which is isn't far off the one you're looking at, and it should have "MADE IN FRANCE" stamped on it - on mine it's on the front of the bell, immediately above the join with the bow (apart from that, the serial no. and "Vito" on the side of the bell there are no other markings). It also has the characteristic Beaugnier G# key arrangement - check out the patent drawings on saxpics.

Mine is a heavy horn (considerably heavier than the Yani that has recently replaced it) with quite a complex but bright timbre - not the world's easiest horn to make "blend", but it can be done.

I paid about the same for mine (AU$1000). I probably should get rid of it (let's face it, the Yani is more comfortable, easier to play etc etc) but haven't been able to bring myself to do anything about it yet.

Stefan

[tessy]

Thanks everyone for all your comments. I will be seeing/trying the horn in the next few days and will be able to give a better description after that. Is the general opinion that the ones made in Japan or France are usually pretty good horns?

Thanks again,
Theresa

[saintsday]

... Is the general opinion that the ones made in Japan or France are usually pretty good horns?

Hi Theresa,
"Pretty good" is maybe an understatement. The Japanese made horns are mainly Yamahas and a few Yanagisawas, both of which have excellent reputations for both their pro and student horns, and the French made models have some fans that prefer them over any Japanese instruments.
If the one you look at doesn't work out, email me. I usually have one or two of these around for students that are tired of the rental racket.
John

[saintsday]

Saintsday: Thanks for making me feel better with that info. It looks like you did good getting your money back. That horn looks excellent in the photos of the original seller, and at $255 I'd consider it a steal from the info provided. Obviously, your description was much more accurate and complete than the one that lead to you buying the Vito. That pad in one of your photos looks totally destroyed. Is that a glitch in the photo? It's too bad because, otherwise, that's a fine looking Vito from what I can see.

The horn does have a good look and it taught me a lesson. I try to post feedback quickly and have great confidence in my tech to work miracles for cheap, so when it came I gave it a quick look and put it with the next batch to have play conditioned. Posted positive feedback. When we got it under the bright lights of the shop, it became obvious that it needed a complete overhaul and we found the broken bell to body brace. That wasn't a photo glitch; the pads are shot. Still for someone doing the work themselves, after 60 or 70 bucks in materials and a bunch of labor, one could have a pretty nice tenor. I'm happy as long as the buyer pays me. (He hasn't yet.)

[tessy]

I talked to the guy selling the horn, and it does say made in France on it. So, I'm going to check it out later today. Thanks again to everyone who has offered advice!

[goodsax]

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out. - Rob

[tessy]

Well, I checked out the horn, and while it did have a beautiful sound, particularly in the upper register, there were a few problems with this one. The guy selling said it had just been in the shop to get ready for sale. Apparently all pads that needed replacing were replaced. There were still a few funky looking ones though. And the low C was not playing C - more like C#. Very noticeably not C. Truth is, I'm not able to sink money into a horn right now for fixing up, so I passed on it. Also, the LH pinky keys were tricky for my small hands - I'm used to the MKVI pinky cluster, and while I'm sure I could get used to something new, it really was difficult for my hands to get around those keys. Anyway, if any of you French Vito fans are in the Boston area and don't mind putting a little work into a horn, check it out on craigslist!

Theresa

[knighttrain]

Theresa, wise choice. For $700, a used Vito should be in playing condition. You can buy one that needs work for a lot less.