Does this vintage R & C cost too much?

[CandyHearts]

I just recently bought a vintage Martin alto, and now have the opportunity to buy a vintage Rampone and Cazzani that the buyer says has been sitting around and needs TLC .... they want $250 for it ... is that too much?

Thanks!

Candy

[Captain Beeflat]

The modern R&C saxophones are amongst the very best; as good as they get. This I know from personal experience.
Again from personal experience, I would be reluctant to attribute such an accolade to their vintage models.... especially as you have, in the Martin, one of the best altos ever made.

[CandyHearts]

Thank you, Captain Beeflat!

Even tho the listing says "vintage" it does not appear to look "vintage" to me, so I figured I would just post the ebay link here.

Good deal? Or scam?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200169506569&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010

[Captain Beeflat]

Hmmm. Why should you want that when you have a Martin?

[Kritavi]

I've seen some of these early R+C horns, they have nothing to do with the current product line. Given the choice of something like this a Martin or even a Yamaha student horn I would pass on the R+C. This may look good but you'd be better off with most Martins assuming good playing condition.
What model Martin do you own?

[CandyHearts]

Thanks for the input! I will be staying away from that "unknown" R&C.

As for my Martin .... it is actually a stencil, says Wurlitzer on it, but is definitely a Martin Handcraft. I can tell by how it feels and examining it closely that it is a good solid horn and no doubt one of the best made, 80 years ago. The 2 techs who looked at it also agreed that it is a Martin Handcraft and great quality ..... BUT ......

I had it serviced after I bought it and still am unsatisfied with the lower range. I can hardly get any sound from the low notes at all, even tho the mid and high registers sing loud and clear. I am thinking that I would have to just have it completely overhauled, starting from square one, to get it set up to my liking. And I don't want to spend that kind of money on it, especially since it was supposed to be already "overhauled."

So if I decided to sell my Martin stencil, I would want to get out of it what I have put into it, as right now it is frustrating me.

Candy

[Captain Beeflat]

CandyHearts.
Easy answer...buy a modern Rampone & Cazzani.

[Stan]

CandyHearts.
Easy answer...buy a modern Rampone & Cazzani.

at least until you will find a rare "vademecum" model :)

Stan