Thursday, June 26, 2014

Finding And Purchasing Vintage Saxophones

By Ina Hunt


Music enthusiasts and instrument collectors make a good target market for antique instruments. Many of these people are interested in vintage saxophones. To make sure you are getting a genuine antique sax, it is important to have information on how you can locate them and what you should be looking for.

Similar to other collectible items, you may find a lot of sax listings online. As with any other online purchases, it is important to be cautious and thorough to avoid getting scammed. It may not always be possible to request authenticity or appraisal documents, so you need to ask questions. You should ask the seller specific information about the year it was made and the manufacturer. Request current pictures and find out if there is a written return agreement.

Make sure you know precisely what you are looking for. You need to be informed on what attributes a counterfeit sax would have and what a genuine one should look like. Saxes can vary from one year to the next. It is also important to learn the differences between alto and tenor saxes, not just in their appearances but also in their sounds.

In most cases, the saxes for sale will have been out of use for some time, which means that it can have some parts that are not in the best condition. You should thoroughly examine the saxophone whenever you can, paying particular attention to the octave pin and keys because these can be more difficult to repair or replace on an antique sax.

Before making the purchase, do some research to determine that you are not paying more for the sax than its average appreciated value. Although it will probably be on the more expensive side because it is an older instrument, you should not be charged an outrageously high price. For example, if you located a sax and the seller asks for eight thousand dollars but an expert says it is only worth two thousand dollars, you can either negotiate down to that price or move on.

Choose a seller that knows what they are doing. You may occasionally come across an individual person selling a sax they own, but most sellers will be dealers or large collectors. Avoid doing business with dealers who are not credible. They should be a member of some type of professional group or organization, such as the Better Business Bureau or something related to antiques and antique instruments.

Certifications and/or licensing is a must for dealers. A dealer should have a verifiable sales or antique dealer license. Certifications should be from a known professional organization. You have the right to ask for details to verify any information that is supplied by the seller. Keep in mind, however, that licensing laws vary from state to state and are often different in other countries. In many instances, a seller only has to be licensed in the state where he or she operates.

Experienced instrument collectors have a huge advantage over beginners. They have the ability to quickly look at a sax and determine if it is a worthy purchase. Although you have to take more time to learn and shop around, it does not have to be a complete disaster. Make an effort to gather information before you start looking around.




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