Greetings. Admittedly, I rarely post here but I visit frequently and keep learning from those who do post, and I've bought a couple of horns and several mouthpieces from members. I've played on and off for 50 years, yeah more off than on until about 10 years ago. I own Ref. 36, 10M, SDA, Keilworth tenors.
Anyway, I've come across a 1947 full pearls Super 20 at a somewhat local music store with an asking price of $3000. The ad states that the sax is in good shape, cleaned and oiled (sounds like a watch more than a sax) and ready to play "as soon as you open the case." No commentary on an overhaul or even partial pad replacement, or whether it's a relaq. I haven't yet seen it in person but I can see in the blurry pics that indeed all the pearls (side, G#, palms, and octave key) are present, lacquer generally present although rubbed away in a couple of largish areas but not bad, engraving not visible.
Here's the big butt (no, not Big B): these same blurry pics reveal two out of the three key guards are not original (look similar the wire style on an old Conn) and all the keys are delaquered or perhaps replaced, "silverish" in color. Pics are too poor to see if there is any engraving on the bell keys. The pants guard is gone but no biggie
I recall that someone on here makes or has a source for replacement key guards, and maybe I could live with the incorrectness of the keys if the horn was a playah regardless, but what is the board's opinion on this horn (not seen in person or played yet, but supposing the store's "ready to play" description is good for the sake of argument) if it can be had for $3000 or bargained down to $2500 (it appears to have been around for a little while)? Or should I bite the bullet and pay two or three thousand more for an overhauled horn with a better pedigree?
Thank you for your thoughts.
Anyway, I've come across a 1947 full pearls Super 20 at a somewhat local music store with an asking price of $3000. The ad states that the sax is in good shape, cleaned and oiled (sounds like a watch more than a sax) and ready to play "as soon as you open the case." No commentary on an overhaul or even partial pad replacement, or whether it's a relaq. I haven't yet seen it in person but I can see in the blurry pics that indeed all the pearls (side, G#, palms, and octave key) are present, lacquer generally present although rubbed away in a couple of largish areas but not bad, engraving not visible.
Here's the big butt (no, not Big B): these same blurry pics reveal two out of the three key guards are not original (look similar the wire style on an old Conn) and all the keys are delaquered or perhaps replaced, "silverish" in color. Pics are too poor to see if there is any engraving on the bell keys. The pants guard is gone but no biggie
I recall that someone on here makes or has a source for replacement key guards, and maybe I could live with the incorrectness of the keys if the horn was a playah regardless, but what is the board's opinion on this horn (not seen in person or played yet, but supposing the store's "ready to play" description is good for the sake of argument) if it can be had for $3000 or bargained down to $2500 (it appears to have been around for a little while)? Or should I bite the bullet and pay two or three thousand more for an overhauled horn with a better pedigree?
Thank you for your thoughts.