Worldwidesax - Fine Vintage Saxophones

We are located in WA state, WWS  business hours are Pacific time.

click here for answers about rebuild pricing questions, here for our location or payment info

We don't accept credit cards in the shop, but you can use your credit card to pay through Pay Pal...  just log into your account and use the  "send money"  tab to make your deposit,  or payment, to worldwidesax@verizon.net     Please add a note in the message area, that states what it's for, with serial or other description, if possible.

Below are the links to the various pages of the site, link access changes as you visit other pages, if you get stuck, use your back button to come back to the home page and click around  again.

If you wish to schedule a rebuild, or purchase one of our saxes (and it still needs to be rebuilt),  send us  a 50% deposit to hold your place in my work schedule.  I work from a published schedule (see left margin) so that your sax will only be out of your possession a couple weeks, while i do the actual work, it does not have to just sit on the shop floor, until it's turn comes up... you send it to arrive on schedule and we return it on schedule.

  E-mail "the sarge" with  questions about our vintage saxes at:   worldwidesax@verizon.net  

 Click the links above  to see what's in stock.   If  a horns says "just rebuilt", then it's ready to go, saxes that say "scheduled for a rebuild" are waiting for the work to be done, but it will be included in the posted price.  If a sax says "ON TRIAL" someone is taking advantage of our "Three Day Trial" policy (See Info and Orders page).

Here is a pic of some custom resonator work.  We can size the reso to your tonehole, or whatever you like.

We can get you virtually any resonator made, my favorite is the  Resotech solid silver reso.

Check out our new page all about relacquers 

NEW!

WE DO GOLD AND SILVER ELECTRO-PLATING

That's right, we now have a:

 GOLD STAR Pro plating system

The Industry's Premier Silver and Gold Plating System 
 Ask about having us Plate your Bell interior in 24 carat or  ROSE GOLD 

Our Work Schedule,

Rebuild Progress:  

 12-23-08  Conn Silver C-Soprano: WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild. Sørheim  DONE

12-19-08  Buescher Top Hat Tenor:  Complete  "snap in" rebuild, with a few extra teflon enhancements.  WWS Done

1-1-09 1952  Buescher Aristocrat Tenor 340k:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer  Moranta DONE

1-11-09  King Silversonic Tenor:  receives a Premium Vintage style rebuild. . WWS DONE

1-21-09  Conn 26m Alto:  Customer horn just back from Anderson's Plating, gets it's vintage rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators BOPEP DONE

1-26-09  Conn S#104xxx Alto: Customer horn receives a Vintage style rebuild.  Cairns Done

2-11-09  1953 The Martin 
Bari:   WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer Steinberger  Done

2-21-09  Conn Wonder Tenor:  Customer horn receives a Vintage style rebuild. Reed Done

3-11-09  1954 The Martin 
Bari:   WWS stock receives a Premium Vintage style rebuild, for a customer  Lundgren Done

3-15-09  Conn 10M tenor:   WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer.  Kick  Done

3-21-09  Selmer MK VI Tenor:  Customer horn receives a Premium Vintage style . Peterkin Done

3-30-09  King Saxello:  Customer horn receives a Vintage style rebuild. Rogers Done

4-7-09  THE MARTIN BARI:  wws STOCK RECEIVES A COMPLETE REBUILD, WITH SOME PREMIUM UPGRADES, wws   Done

4-13-09 Holton Silver Tenor:  receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. Hereth   DONE  

4-21-09   Buffet SDA Alto:  Customer horn receives a Vintage style rebuild. Manchester done 

5-1-09 - Selmer C Melody:  Customer horn receives a Premium Vintage style rebuild, Rose gold bell, Lower neck strap ring.       McLean done

5-11-09 Holton RW Soprano:  receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. Weinert  Please ship now

5-18-09  Pierret Super Artiste Alto :  receives a Premiun Vintage style rebuild, with saxgourmt pads, for a customer. Chavez done

5-21-09  Conn 12M Bari:   Customer horn receives a Vintage style rebuild and some dent removal.  Savage Done

6-3-09 Buffet S DA 19k Tenor:  WWS stock gets a  vintage rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators,  for customer  Sharp Done

6-9-09 The Martin Tenor s # 167k:  WWS horn gets a vintage rebuild,  with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for customer  Ruud done

7-1-09 1922  C G Conn C Melody "Alto" Artist model in GOLD PLATE:  receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. Sørheim In Progress

7-11-09 King Mariguax Soprano:  receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer.  Ramoni 

7-21-09 Couesnon Monopole Conservatories alto  receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. Sørheim 

7-31-   time off :>)

8-18-09  Conn GP alto:  customer horn gets a  Premium vintage rebuild, new springs and with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for customer  Beldin

8-21-09  1950 King Zephyr Tenor:  WWS horn gets a vintage rebuild,  with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for customer  Kahlke

8-30-09  Martin Committee 2 Tenor sax # 139k:  WWS horn gets a vintage rebuild,  with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for customer  Ucal  

9-10-09   Buescher Aristo Tenor:  Customer horn gets a vintage rebuild with a premium upgrade, shellacked  in  buescher  snap in pads  griffith

9-20-09   1926 Conn Chu Alto #187k:  WWS horn gets a vintage rebuild with a premium upgrade, for customer  Brown 

If you wish to schedule a rebuild, or purchase one of our saxes and it still needs to be rebuilt,  send us  a 50% deposit and we will schedule it's rebuild before any of our other worldwidesax.com inventory. 

Everybody loves these new Kangaroo skin pads, aka Saxgourmet  Pads and you can get them from Curt, at musicmedic.com you can request that any WWS stock be rebuilt with them, or just click this link and order some for yourself.

Hard to find:

Here is a helpful outline of SML serial Numbers:

Serial Number / Year

0001 – 3000  / 1934 to 1940

3000 – 5500 / 1940 to 1945

5500 – 8000 / 1945 to 1950

8000 – 12000 / 1950 to 1955

12000 – 16000 / 1955 to 1960

16000 – 19000 / 1960 to 1965

22000 – 24000 / 1970 to 1975

24000 – 26000 / 1975 to 1980

Here is a helpful outline of Keilwerth serial Numbers:

Keilwerth Serial Numbers:

1925: 0-800 

1941: 18,500

1947: #20,000

1953: #23,000

1958: #28,000

1960: #38,000

1962: #43,000

1964: #49,000

1966:  #55,000

1971: #69,000

1978: #79,000

1986: #91,000

1993. #99,100

1996. #104,00

1998:  #109,000

Keilwerth made The New King and Tone King  as their main brand names, from 1932 to 1969 or so, but there were always stencils, like Edgeware and later Couf.  Here are few of the other names you may find on Keilwerth made horns.  The new king and tone king saxes were identical except for a high F# key on the tone king model, but keilwerth marketed the Tone King as the "deluxe" Pro model and the New King as the "standard" Pro model

Known Keilwerth Stencils:

Couf Superba 1 & 2

 Royalist

Conn DJH

Buffet

Edgeware

Marco

Vincent Albert

Martelle

Winsall

Tam

Bundy Special

Armstrong

Heritage

King Tempo

Champion

Calvert Deluxe

Silvertone

Hammerschmidt (sopranos)

Keilwerth copiers, such as Amati,  Dörfler & Jörka (1949 to 1968, then purchased by Keilwerth) and B&S

H.Genet

Roxy

Jubilee

Voss

Silvertone

Rene Dumont

Keilwerth relatives:

Max Keilwerth and Richard Keilwerth (Graslitz) made saxes under the names:

Weltklang (baritones only)

Senator

Hohner

I thought it might be fun to see a condensed list of the horns WWS totally rebuilt in the last couple years.  This doesn't include the hundreds of horns we have adjusted or partially rebuilt for customers:

1-2-08  Buescher Top Hat Alto:  WWS stock gets a vintage style rebuild, for a customer.  Done

1-11-07 King Soprano:  A customer's horn gets a  Premium vintage rebuild with Roo pads and small flat metal resonators  Done

1-16-08  G.P. Conn Chu Tenor   WWS stock gets a  vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for a customer Done

1-21-08  Buescher 400 Bari: WWS stock gets buescher style rebuild, for a  customer Done

1-31-08  Buescher Aristocrat Alto:  Silver alto gets a little TLC and some Gold in the bell Done

2-7-08  Buffet DA Tenor:  A customer's horn gets a  Premium vintage rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators DONE

2- 14 -08  1933 Buescher New Aristocrat tenor:  Customers horn  gets a Buescher snap-in Premium rebuild. Done

2- 21 -08  King Saxello::  WWS stock receives a Premium Vintage style rebuild, and custom gold plating of thekeys. Done

2-29-08  Selmer mk vi alto:  Customers horn gets a  french standard rebuild. Done

3-9-08  Martin Comm 2 tenor:  WWS stock receives a premium rebuild, for a customer. Done

3-14-08  Conn Chu S#223 tenor:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. Done

  3-21-08  Leblanc Semi Rational Alto:  A customer's horn receives a Vintage style rebuild. Done

3-29-08  Buescher C Soprano:  A customer's horn gets a  Premium vintage rebuild. Done

4-9-08 1965 King  Super 20:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. DONE

4-19-08  Buffet Super Dynaction Tenor Sax.  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. DONE

4-29-08  Buffet Super Dynaction Alto Sax.  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. DONE

5-9-08  SML GM Tenor:  A customer's horn gets a  Premium rebuild, with saxgourmet pads. DONE

5-19-08   Conn C-Soprano: WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. Done

5-29-08 Buescher Bb Soprano:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer.  DONE

6-9-08   Martin C-Soprano:  a customers c-sop gets a Premium rebuild. Done

6-19-08 Martin Magna Tenor:  WWS stock gets checked over and some dents removed  Done

6-29-08 Conn 28 m alto  A customer's horn receives a Vintage Conn style rebuild.  Done

7-9-08  '39 King Tenor:  WWS stock receives a  Vintage style rebuild. Done

7-19-08 1955 Selmer mk vi alto:  WWS stock gets a  Premium rebuild, resotech resonators. Done

7-29-08  1951 The Martin Tenor:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild.  Done

8-9-08 SML Rev D Tenor:  WWS stock gets a Vintage style rebuild, and partial silver resto,  for a customer.  Done Tilton

8-19-08 Buescher Tru-Tone Alto:  Customers alto gets an authentic buescher style rebuild Done 

 8-29-08 1941 Buescher Big B alto:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer  Sell Done

9-9-08   King  Super 20 Tenor: Customers horn gets an authentic King style rebuild. Brady. Done

9-17-08 1950 King  Super 20 alto:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild. Ellsworth  Done

9-23-08   King  Super 20 alto:  Customers horn gets an authentic King style rebuild Bono Done

10-3-08 1939 Martin Committee 2 Alto :  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild. Hewittson  Done

10-10-08 Conn Chu Tenor:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer Dobson Done

10-19-08  Conn 30m Tenor:  WWS stock receives a Premium Vintage style rebuild. Vedani   Done

10-29-08  Conn 10M Tenor:  Customer horn receives a Vintage style rebuild. Kahlke Done

11-9-08 1952  Buesher Aristocrat Tenor 340k:  original lacquer WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer  Ferrari Done

11-19-08  Buescher Top Hat Alto:  Complete standard "snap in" rebuild, with some extra teflon and enhancements.  Siddoway Done 

11-29-08  SML Tenor:   gets a Vintage style rebuild,  for a customer. Clark  Done

1966 Keilwerth Toneking Tenor:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild. Saleh Done

12-11-08  1940 King Zephyr Alto:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild, for a customer. Berg  IN PROGRESS

12-14-08 1950 King  Super 20 Tenor:  WWS stock receives a Vintage style rebuild. Paraddies Done

12-19-08  Buescher Top Hat Alto:  Complete Premium "snap in" rebuild, with lots of extra teflon and enhancements. Peterkin  DONE

12- 30 -06  Buffet SDA Alto:  WWS Stock gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's. Done

1-2-07 1969 King Super 20 Tenor:  WWS Stock gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's, like original king setups  Done

1-9-07 SML REV D TENOR  WWS Stock gets prepped for a silver restoration at anderson's.  At Andersons

1-10-07 Martin Comm Tenor 137k:  just rebuilt WWS stock, gets a check over and goes to Australia DONE

1-13-07   The Martin Tenor :  WWS stock gets a martin style rebuild, tan prestini pads and flat metal reso's. Done

1-16-07 1948 Conn 10M Tenor:  WWS Stock gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's, like original Conn setups Done

1-19-07  Martin C-Mel Tenor: Customers horn gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's. Done

1-23-07  1940's Conn 10M tenor:  A customer's horn gets a  vintage Conn style rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators  DONE

1-23-07 1925 Conn Artist model alto: Customers awesome Artist model gets a french standard rebuild,  but with Flat metal reso's, like original Conn setups Done

1-27-07 Martin Comm Tenor 139k:  WWS stock gets a martin style rebuild, tan prestini pads and flat metal reso's.  Done

2-6-07  Keilwerth "Bundy Special"  Customers horn gets a french standard rebuild,  but with Flat metal reso's, which are ideal on these. IN PROGRESS 

2-10-07  Martin Comm 1 Tenor:  Customers horn gets a french standard rebuild,  but with Flat metal reso's, which are ideal on these. Done

2-12-07 Selmer MK VI Tenor:  Early 6 digit horn gets a Premium rebuild with saxgourmet pads and seamless domed metal reso's. DONE

2-14-06 Conn C melody, 179k:  A customers C-mel gets a french standard rebuild,  but with small Flat metal reso's, like M series Conn setups Done

2-15-07 Couf Superba 1: Tenor: gets a standard rebuild with saxgourmet pads and Resotech slightly domed solid silver  reso's.  Done

2-28 -07  Martin Committee 1 Tenor:  Customers horn gets a french standard rebuild,  but with Flat metal reso's, which are ideal on these. Done

3-6-07  Selmer MK VI Tenor:  I'm prepping this one to go to Andersons silver plating, for a nice resto.  I has been custom engraved by Jason DuMars and i look forward to seeing it when it's all done in a few months. at anderson's

3-7-06 Buescher Big B Tenor:  a customer horn needed all new cork, felt and a complete adjustment  DONE

3-14-07  New King Alto:  WWS stock gets a Premium rebuild for a customer Done

 3-18-07  King Zephyr Tenor:  Customer horn gets a complete Vintage rebuild.  DONE

 3-16-07 The Martin Tenor:  WWS stock gets satin finish and Vintage Standard rebuild  DONE

 3- 20 -07  Buffet SDA tenor:  WWS Stock gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's.  DONE

 3- 22 -07  Buescher Super 400 tenor:  WWS Stock gets a Buescher snap-in Standard rebuild. DONE

3- 27 -07  Buffet SDA tenor:  WWS Stock gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's. DONE

 3- 30 -07  Buescher Aristocart tenor:  WWS Stock gets a Buescher snap-in Premium rebuild. DONE

4-2-07 SML Gold Medal Tenor:  WWS stock gets a french/vintage style rebuild, with flat metal resonators.  DONE 

4-15-07   Martin Soprano:  A customer's horn gets a  vintage style rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators  DONE  

4- 18 -06 F. Holton Alto:  WWS Stock gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's. DONE 

4-20-07   Conn Silver and gold Curved Soprano:  A customer's horn gets a  vintage Conn style rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators  Done 

4-24-07 Buescher "Bandmaster" Alto:   A customer's horn gets a  vintage Buescher style rebuild with metal backed  pads and original metal resonators  Done 

4-27-07   Conn Silver and gold C Soprano:  A customer's horn gets a  vintage Conn style rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators   Done

4-28-07  Selmer MK VI Tenor:  Customers h orn gets a Premium Rebuild, Prestini pads and plastic resonators, in the original selmer style  Done 

  5-3-07 The Martin Soprano   WWS stock gets a  vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators  Done

5-8-07   SML Rev D Tenor:  WWS stock is back from Anderson/complete silver restoration, and gets a  vintage style rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators  DONE

5-15-07  S#154k Selmer MK VI Tenor:  Customers horn gets a Premium Selmer style rebuild, and seamless domed metal reso's .  Done

 5-12-07 The Martin Alto:   WWS stock gets a  vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators  Done

5-20-07  S#154k Selmer MK VI Tenor:  Customers horn gets a Selmer style rebuild, and seamless domed metal reso's . Done

5-22-07 The Martin Tenor:   WWS stock gets a  vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators  Done

5-25-07  S#130k Selmer MK VI Alto:  WWS horn gets a Selmer style rebuild, with TAN Prestini kangarooskin pads, metal reso's.DONE

5-29-07 Buffet Dynaction Tenor:   WWS stock, the Dynaction stencil "Kings Musical Instruments" gets a vintage french style rebuild, tan prestini's flat metal resonators. Done

6-1-07 Buescher Top Hat Alto:   WWS stock gets a  vintage Buescher style rebuild with metal backed  pads and original metal resonators, for a customer.  Done

6-6-3-07  Silver The Martin Tenor:   WWS stock gets a  vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for a customer DONE

6-12-07  Lacquer The Martin Tenor:   WWS stock gets a  vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for a customer  DONE

6-19-3-07  Lacquer The Martin Tenor:   rebuilt tenor gets disassembled and P/C for a sale. DONE

6-23-07  Silver Silvertone (Conn) Alto::  Customer alto gets a  Vintage Conn style rebuild with  tan prestini pads, flat metal reso's. DONE

6-27-07 Conn soprano:   WWS stock gets a  vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for a customer  DONE  

  7-5-07   Selmer mk vi Tenor:  Customer horn gets a  Selmer style rebuild with  Saxgourmet  pads, plastic domed reso's. DONE

 7-11-07 Martin silver handcraft alto: Customers horn gets a Selmer style rebuild DONE

7-17-03 Silver Selmer mk vi Tenor:  Customer Resto gets a  Selmer style rebuild with  saxgourmet pads, metal domed reso's. DONE 

7-27-07 SML/king marigaux alto:  Customer horn gets a  vintage style rebuild with Prestini pads and flat metal resonators. DONE

8-7-07 Conn Chu Tenor:   WWS stock gets a  Premium vintage style rebuild with Saxgourmet pads and flat metal resonators, for a customer  DONE

8-17-07 King Zephyr Tenor:   Customer horn gets a  vintage style rebuild with Prestini pads and flat metal resonators. DONE

8-28-07 1960 Buescher 400 Tenor Sax:  WWS tenor gets a original style buescher snap in rebuild for a customer. Done

9-8-07   Buffet S-1 Tenor:   WWS tenor gets a vintage french style rebuild, tan prestini's flat metal resonators.  Done

King/SML Alto:  WWS stock gets a vintage style rebuild, for a customer  Done

9-17-07 Buescher curved soprano:   A customer's horn gets a  vintage Buescher style rebuild with metal backed  pads and it's original metal resonators  Done

9-27-07  King C-Mel Tenor:   A customer's horn gets a  vintage rebuild with tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators  Done

10-8-07  Selmer Signet:  WWS  alto gets a  Vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads, flat metal reso's.  DONE

10-18-07  Dolnet Belair Tenor:  WWS  tenor gets a  Vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads, flat metal reso's. DONE

10-28-07  Gold Plated Conn Wonder Alto:  WWS alto gets a  Vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads, flat metal reso's. Done

11-7-07   King Super 20:  customers silver 20 gets a complete rebuild and some TLC .Done

11-15-07   Lacquer The Martin Tenor 155k:   WWS stock gets a  vintage style rebuild with  tan prestini pads and flat metal resonators, for a customer Done

 12-11-07 Tone King Alto:  customers alto gets a complete rebuild and some TLC. Done

12-15-08 Buffet SDA Tenor : WWS stock gets cleaning,  TLC and set up for customer.  DONE

12-22-07   Selmer mk vi Tenor:  Customer horn gets a poor relacquer stripped from the body and silver plated, then a Selmer style premium rebuild with  Saxgourmet  pads, plastic domed reso's 

_______

1-3-06  Buescher Top Hat and Cane Tenor:  WWS stock gets a premium rebuild. DONE

1-4-06 Conn 10M:  Justin's stock gets a premium Conn style rebuild DONE

1-5-06 Conn 10M:  Sarge's new silver tenor gets some silver touch up, some mods and a premium Conn style rebuild  DONE

1-10-06  SML/King Marigaux:  WWS stock gets a premium rebuild and kangaroo pads,  for a customer.   DONE

1-17-06  .Buescher ARISTO ART DECO Tenor: Customers horn gets a Silver restoration and when it's back it gets custom buescher snap in rebuild.  IN PROGRESS

1-17-06  Conn C melody Soprano:  Customers silver sop gets a hand polish and a conn style rebuild  DONE

1-24-06  SML Tenor:  Customers horn gets some TLC and a complete rebuild DONE

1-31-05 Kohlert Alto:  we will strip and Premium rebuild a very cool Czech made Kohlert, for a customer  DONE

2-6-06  1945 King Zephyr Tenor:  WWS stock gets a total rebuild for a customer to trial.  DONE

2-14-06  Conn Gold Plate Tranny Tenor:  Customers horn gets TLC and a complete Conn Style rebuild.  DONE

2-15-06:  Silver New King Tenor:  WWS stock get a complete rebuild and some TLC, for customer.  DONE

2-21-06  Selmer MK VI gets a total restoration, for a customer.  DONE

2-23-06 Martin Troubador Alto:   WWS stock get a complete rebuild for a customer.  DONE

2-27-06  SML Tenor:  WWS stock gets some TLC and a complete Silver Restoration for a custome: at andersons

2-28-06 Buescher  Big B:  Customers alto gets an original Buescher style rebuild.Done

3-7-06  The Martin Tenor:  WWS stock gets a original martin style rebuild for a customer. DONE

3-7-06   emergency repairs for a local customers MK VI Tenor Done.

3-8-06  Conn C mel Soprano:  work begins on this restoration.  Done

3-12-06  The Martin Tenor:  WWS stock 153k   gets a premium rebuild and saxgourmet pads DONE

3-14-06  Buescher C-melody tenor:  WWS stock get completely rebuilt, for a customer DONE

3-16-06  The Martin Tenor:  A customers horn gets a complete rebuild and some key extensions, etc.  DONE

3-18-06 Buescher  Big B:  Customers alto gets an original Buescher style rebuild, with a premium upgrade. DONE

3-21-06 1970 Buescher  400 tenor: Gets an original Buescher style rebuild, for local customer.  Done

3-25-06  Conn C-melody Alto:  WWS stock get completely rebuilt, for a customer  DONE 

4-2-06  King Super 20 Tenor:  WWS Stock 411k, gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's, like original king setups DONE

  4-4-06  1961 Buescher Super 400 Tenor Sax:  WWS stock gets completely rebuilt, for a customer  Done

4-4-06 Keilwerth New King Tenor:  WWS stock gets a french standard rebuild and all new stainless springs.  Done

4-8-06 Conn 10  399K    WWS stock gets completely rebuilt, for a customer DONE

4-15-06 King Silversonic Tenor:  One of my personal collection finally gets some attention, a premium rebuild with Saxgourmet pads and  oversized Resotech Solid silver domed reso's.DONE

4-18-06 Silver Buescher Aristocrat:  Justin rebuilds his aristo for a customer DONE

4-20-06 SML Alto  Customers alto gets an original SML style rebuild, but with the premium upgrade, to smooth the key action  Done

4-25-06  1956 King Zephyr:  WWS stock gets completely rebuilt, for a customer Done

4-29-06 Buescher Soprano:  Customers soprano gets a complete rebuild, with buescher snap in pads. DONE

5-9-06  Martin "Typewriter"  Alto:  Customers silver alto gets a complete rebuild.  DONE

5-16-06  Conn C melody Alto:  Customers silver c- alto gets a complete rebuild.  DONE

5-10-06  New King Soprano:  WWS stock gets a complete rebuild for a customer Done

5-13-06  Conn Chu Baritone:  Silver Restoration gets it's custom rebuild  Done

5-14-06  The Martin Tenor 206k:  WWS stock gets a premium rebuild, for a customer Done

5-17-06  The Martin Tenor 192.2k:  WWS stock gets a premium rebuild, for a customer Done

5-19-06 Conn Curved Soprano  A customers deco model soprano gets a complete Premium rebuild.DONE

5-24-06  King Zephyr Tenor:  WWS stock gets a complete French rebuild for a customer. DONE

5-27-06  Selmer SBA Baritone:  Prep and send to Anderson's Silver Plating. DONE

6-1-06  1961Buffet Tenor:  WWS stock gets a complete rebuild, for a customer. DONE

6-6-06    Silver The Martin Tenor :  WWS stock gets a premium rebuild, Saxgourmet pads and seamless domed reso's.  DONE

6-14-06  Selmer MK VI  Tenor:   customers horn gets prepped for a total silver restoration, and eventually a selmer style repad DONE

6-19-06  Selmer MK VI  Tenor:   Another customers horn is just back from its  total silver restoration, now gets it's  selmer style repad  DONE

6-24-06  Buescher Art Deco Aristo  Tenor:   Another customers horn is just back from its  total silver restoration, now gets it's  Buescher style repad.  DONE

6-22-06  The Martin Alto:  WWS stock gets completely rebuilt for a customer in Japan. DONE

6-28-06  Selmer SA80  Tenor:    Customers horn gets a premium,  Selmer style repad, Saxgourmet pads and metal domes  IN PROGRESS

7-6-06 Conn Curved Soprano  A customers deco model soprano gets a complete Premium rebuild. DONE

7-12-06  The Martin Tenor:  A customers horn gets a complete rebuild  DONE

7-14-06  Buescher Art Deco Aristo  Tenor:   WWS stock gets prepped and ready to go for it's  total silver restoration, at Anderson silver plating In Progress/ At Andersons

7-17-06  King Zephyr Baritone:  Customers horn gets a "Vintage King Rebuild", with tan prestini pads and flat metal reso's. DONE

7-20-06  King C-Melody Tenor:  Customers horn gets a 1920's style repad. DONE

7-20-06  King Zephyr Special Tenor:  Sarges "special" gets a premium rebuild. DONE

7-25-06  Dolnet "Le Chambre" Tenor:  Customers Belaire model gets a complete rebuild. DONE

7-27-06  Silver Martin Alto:  A customers horn gets a complete rebuild. DONE

8-5-06 Martin Imperial Alto:  A customers horn gets a complete rebuild.  DONE

8-6-06    Silver The Martin Tenor :  WWS stock gets a premium rebuild, Saxgourmet pads and seamless domed reso's.   DONE

8-9-06  "The Martin  Baritone":  Customers horn gets resprung, with stainless steel springs and a  "Premium Rebuild", with Saxgourmet pads and Noyak reso's. DONE

8-10-06  King Zephyr Baritone:  Customers horn gets a "Vintage King Rebuild", with tan prestini pads and flat metal reso's.  DONE

8-22-06  Buescher Aristo Alto:  Customers horn is prepped and sent to Anderson's, for a  silver restoration  AT ANDERSONS SILVER

8-25-06  SML GM Tenor:  WWS stock horn gets a Premium complete rebuild, with Resotech Solid Silver reso's.done

8-29-06  Conn New Wonder "Chu Berry" Tenor:  WWS stock gets a premium rebuild for a customer in the UK SOLD

9-2-06  SML /  King Marigaux Tenor:  WWS stock horn gets a Premium complete rebuild, for a customer.  Done

9-5-06  Selmer MK VI 105k Tenor:  A customers horn will undergo a  Silver Restoration and complete Premium Rebuild Done

9-5-06  Selmer MK VI 143k Tenor:  Customers tenor is back from Andersons and now it gets it's gets a complete rebuild. Done

9-15-06 Selmer Tenor #137k  gets a French + Premium complete rebuild, for a customer. Done

9-14-06  Martin "Dick Stabile" Tenor:  Customers DS model gets a Vintage Rebuild. DONE

9-21-06  SML /  King Marigaux Tenor:  WWS stock horn gets a Premium complete rebuild, for a customer.  DONE

9-26-06  Selmer "SBA" Bari:  WWS stock  is back from Andersons and now it gets it's gets a complete rebuild.DONE

 10-1-06  Buescher 400 Top Hat Tenor:  WWS stock horn gets a Premium Buescher snap in rebuild and some TLC.  DONE/FOR SALE

10-3-06 Conn ART DECO TRANNY TENOR:  A customers awesome, but filthy Tranny gets a Premium rebuild, Roo pads and gold plated seamless domed reso's.  DONE

10-3-06 SML Rev D  Tenor:  WWS stock horn gets a Premium complete rebuild  DONE 

10-6-06 JK Amati Silver Bari:  WWS stock horn gets a complete rebuild, for a customer.DONE 

10-17-06  King Zephyr Tenor:  WWS stock horn gets a complete rebuild, for a customer. DONE

10-18-06 Selmer MI VI  Bari: customer horn gets a complete rebuild.DONE

10-24-06  1936 Conn 10M Tenor:  WWS stock gets a Silver Resto, starting with prep. IN PROGRESS / AT Andersons

10-27-06  Buescher Tru-tone Tenor:  Customer horn gets a Buescher snap in rebuild and some TLC.  DONE

10-31-06  Buescher Aristo / Art Deco Tenor:  WWS stock tenor gets a Buescher snap in rebuild and some Premium upgrades. DONE

Gold Conn "Chu" Tranny model Gets a White Roo Pad/Gold Plated Pisoni's, Premium rebuild  DONE

11-14-06  Conn C-Melody Tenor:  A Customers horns gets a complete rebuild. Done

11-17-06  Buescher Aristo Alto:  Customer horn gets a Premium Buescher snap in rebuild.Done

11-18-06  Selmer MK VI tenor:  A customers Silver Restoration is back from Anderson's and gets a complete rebuild  Done

11-24-06 Selmer MK VII Alto:   Customer horn gets a Premium  rebuild, including Saxgourmet pads. Done

11-25-06  Selmer MK VI tenor:  WWS stock gets a complete rebuild DONE

12-8-06 Holton Silver Alto:   Customer horn gets a Premium  rebuild, including Saxgourmet pads Done

12-5-06  1940 Buescher Aristo Tenor:  WWS stock gets a premium rebuild for a customer. Done

12-10-06  The Martin Tenor:  A customers horn gets a complete vintage style rebuild Done

12-12-06 1969 King Super 20 Tenor:  WWS Stock gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's, like original king setups Done

12-19-06 Buescher Aristo Alto:  Silver Resto is back and gets its rebuild, for a customer.Done

12-18-06  Martin Committee 2 Tenor:  WWS stock gets a Premium vintage rebuild and new stainless steel springs  Done

12-23-06  Conn Satin Gold Plate "Chu" Tenor:  WWS stock(former sarges collection) horn gets a last playtest/check before shipping to UK  DONE

 12-26 -06  Buffet SDA Tenor:  WWS Stock gets a French Standard rebuild, but with Flat metal reso's.Done

1-1-05  Selmer SBA Alto: 

1-03-05   Conn Chu Alto: 

1-4-05 SML "KING" Marigaux Tenor gets The Total Silver restoration, Custom engraving from Jason DuMars and a Premium rebuild with Saxgourmet pad and Stainless Steel springs   

1-7-05 Buescher New Aristocrat Silver Tenor:

1-12-05  The Martin Indiana Alto: 

1-13-05  Buffet SDA Tenor:  

1-21-05  Buescher Curved Soprano: 

1-27-05  Conn Bass Sax:   

2-7-05   Conn "Chu" Silver Tenor.   

2-17-05 1958 SML TENOR.  Just back from Anderson and stunningly beautiful, gets a premium rebuild, for customer. 

2-22-05  Selmer MK 7 alto

2-28-05  Buescher True tone alto:   

3-7-05 Buescher Big B Bari:   

3-11-05  Buescher Elkhart alto:  

3-14-05  Buffet S1 Tenor:   

3-18-05  Martin Comm 1 Tenor:  Prep for Silver Restoration.  At Anderson Silver Platers... .

3-20-05  SML Primax alto:   

3-26-05  Buffet SDA Tenor:  

3-30-05  Conn Art Deco Chu Tenor:  Silver Resto, then a complete rebuild

4-1-05  King Soprano:   

4-2-05  Martin Handcraft Alto: 

4-6-05  Selmer N.Y. Alto:  

4-13-05  B&S Silver Tenor: 

4-18-05 The Martin Tenor:  Silver Resto, then a complete rebuild

4-22-05  King C-Melody Tenor:  

4-29-05  SML Rev D Tenor: 

5-5-05  Conn 6M  

5-10-05   The Martin Tenor:   

5-17-05  Conn 30M

5-24-05   Martin "Typewriter" Soprano:   

5-30-05  King Marigaux Tenor:  Just back from andersons silver plating and ready for it's premium rebuild.  

6- 4- 05  The Martin Tenor 

6-7-05  Conn Curved Soprano:  

6- 14- 05  The Martin Tenor  

6-15-05  Martin  Curved Soprano:  

6-15-05 Buescher Top Hat Tenor: 

6-22-05 SML Gold Medal Alto:  

6-28-05 The Martin Baritone:  

7-5-05  Conn ART DECO Tenor Restoration: Satin Silver Resto completed,  for a rare art deco model, now it gets its rebuild  Done

7-9-05 Buescher Big B Tenor:  

7-12-05 Conn Chu Alto: 

7-19-05 Conn Chu Tenor: 

7-23-05  Selmer MK VI tenor: 

7-26-05  Conn Tranny Bari:  WWS stock gets prepped for Total Silver Resto. DONE

7-28-05 Couf Superba 1 Tenor:  

8- 02- 05 Sml Gold Medal Tenor:  

8-7-05  Selmer MK VI tenor:  undergoes a Silver Restoration, prepping and shipping get things started.DONE

8-9-05  Buescher curved soprano: 

8-17-05  Buffet SDA Tenor:   

8-23-05 Martin Indiana Alto: 

8-30-05  Yanagasawa Alto:  

9-06-05  Martin Handcraft Soprano:  

9-13-05  Conn silver plate 6M:   

9-20-05 Conn gold plate Portrait Alto:   

9-27-05  
Buescher Curved Soprano: 

9-28-05 The Martin Tenor Committee: 

10-4-05  Yamaha 61alto:  

10-1-05  Buffet SDA 12k Tenor:  

10-8-05   Conn Art Deco Tranny alto:  

10-11-05  The Martin Tenor:  WWS stock is back from anderson's, complete silver resto and gets a premium kangaroo repad 

10-15-05  Selmer 116k Mk Vi Tenor:  WWS stock is back from anderson's, complete silver resto and gets a premium kangaroo repad 

10-25-05   Martin Comm II Tenor:  

10-28-05  Martin Imperial Tenor: 

10-28-05  King Super 20 Alto:   

11-1-05 King Zephyr Alto  

11-4-05  Martin Comm II Tenor:  WWS stock, Silver Restoration, gets a custom martin rebuild, for a customer. DONE 

11-7-05   Conn 10m:  

11-10-05  SML gold plate REV D Tenor:

11-13-05  Selmer BA-  

11-15-05 King Marigaux:  

11-22-05 Buescher Bass Sax:  

11-29 05  The Martin Tenor:   

12-07-05  The New King Tenor: 

12-13-05   "The Martin Alto: 

12-20-05  Martin Centennial Model Tenor:  

12-14-05  Selmer SBA Tenor:  

12-24-05 The Martin Magna Tenor:   

12-27-05 SML Alto: 

12-27-05 Martin Comm II Tenor: 

1-5-04 Buescher Aristo Tenor:    

1-15-04  Selmer MK VI  Bb Bari 

1-21-04  Selmer SBA  Bb Bari  w/ silver resto

1-31-04  1937 Conn 10 M:  

2-3-04  New King Alto:  

2-10-04 SML Rev D Tenor   

2-17-04  Buescher Elkhart model Alto:

2-23-04 Buescher Big B Tenor: 

2-26-04  1948 Conn 10 M: 

4-2-04  Conn 6 M:   

3 6-04 Keilwerth SX90R BG:  

2-26-04  1957 Conn 10 M:  

3-1-04 Keilwerth SX-90 Tenor  

3-15-04  Buescher Big B Tenor: 

3-22-04  SML alto:  

3-26-04 Selmer MK VII Tenor: 

4-2-04  Conn 6 M:   

4-9-04 Buescher New Aristo: 

4-11-04  Selmer MK VI alto

4-15-04 The Martin Tenor: 

4-21-04 King Super 20 Alto: 

4-26-04 Conn  M Series C melody:  

5-1-04  Conn 30 M: 

5-7-04 Buescher Aristocrat Bari:  

5--17-04 Conn   C melody:  

5-26-04  King Soprano: 

     6-3-04  Selmer MK VI Tenor: 

 6-9-04  Conn New Wonder Gold Plate "Chu Berry" Tenor:   

 6-17-04  SML tenor:   w/ silver resto

6-25-04   Martin Handcraft Committee Alto:  

6-30-04  "The Martin Tenor": 

7-6-04  "The Martin Bari":  

7-12-04  King super 20. 

7-20-04  Buescher Big B alto  w/ silver resto

7-17-04   Martin Handcraft Tenor:   

7-20-04 1928 Conn "Chu" Tenor:  

7-27-04 1942 Conn 10m Tenor":  

8-03-04  King Tempo Bari:  

8-10-04  King Zephyr Bari:  

8-13-04  Buescher THC Tenor:  

8-19-04   "The Martin Tenor  Music Man  Model":   

8-22-04 Conn 10 M:   

8-28-04 The Martin Tenor: 

9-3-04   "The Martin Tenor  Music Man  Model": 

9-10-04   Buescher Big B  tenor:  

9-15-04   King curved soprano: 

9-22-04  Couf Superba 1 Low A Bari:  

9-28-04  King gold plate soprano:  

  9-30-04 Conn Silver and gold plate soprano:  

10-4-04  Martin Alto:  

10-9-04  SML mk I alto  

10-14-04   Buescher Big B alto    w/ silver resto

10-19-04 SML Tenor:  

10-26-04 the Martin Alto:  

11-02-04  Total Silver Restoration for Conn Bass Sax, for a customer. 

11-4-04 Big B Tenor:  

11-09-04  Conn Chu Tenor 

11-13-04 SML/King Marigaux Tenor:  

11-18-04 Total Premium Rebuild for another Martin Music Man Tenor

11-21-04  Total Silver Resto and  MK VI Rebuild rebuild for Selmer MK VI  

11-25-04   SILVER RESTORATION AND REBUILD FOR CUSTOMERS 1958 SML TENOR.  

11-29-04    SML Standard

12-03-04  Total restoration in silver and gold plate,  Conn Chu Alto

12-13-04   Selmer MK VII 

11-16-04 SML Gold Medal Tenor:    .  

12-20-04  Buescher 400 Alto:   

12-27-04  Selmer SBA Alto:  

Our Finest Works, Past and Present

This page is a chance for me to feature some of my favorite jobs over the years.  This is perhaps 10% of the work I have done.  Sometimes our finest work is done on the least likely of horns... it doesn't have to be a five digit Selmer to be a fine sounding sax.  

Folks see my restorations and think i push that kind of stuff, but i don't.  i always like to see people keep their horns as original as possible.  if you like the sound now, i would keep your original finish, even if it's ugly.  if you look at a lot of the classic players horns, they weren't too pretty.  i usually only do silver and gold resto's on horns that have been relacquered or otherwise compromised already. 

None are for sale, as they all have very happy homes.  I will use thumbnail links to help with the pages loading time, so click on the pics:    

  finished 2-2009.  The following is a letter from Bo:

Sarge,

The tired old Lady I sent to you was so different than the one you returned, I had to ask her for a positive ID when I took her out of the case.  She showed me her serial number and sure enough, it was the same Lady, but you would never know it.

She is drop-dead gorgeous, easily the best looking sax I've ever held and these old fingers have held many.  But, as the old saying goes, "Beauty is as beauty does," and WOW does this beauty do it!  All the keys are tight, low and light as a feather and I totally forget I'm holding a mechanical device as I'm playing - it's all fluid sound, just as it should be.  At times I feel as if I'm not moving my fingers at all, just 'thinking' the notes coming out of the horn - a beautiful experience only made possible by perfect spring tension, perfectly seated and height adjusted pads.

You are truly a master and I'm certain that every horn leaving your hands is going on to lead a better, more musical life.  There are not many of you around anymore.  My 26M Lady and I are deeply grateful for your expertise and it's been a pleasure exchanging emails throughout the process.

(An unusual thing happened after I took the alto out of the case and put it on the double stand next to my 30M - I heard an odd whimpering sound.  It was my Lady tenor crying over the fact that I had chosen the alto over her for the face lift and restoration.  "Maybe next year, my dear," I said.)

With much gratitude and pleasure,
Fraternally,
Bo

This unique Selmer is all done now and came out just beautiful.

  SML Rev D TENOR:   S# 132XX indicates circa 1955, one of the very last made before the Gold Medal model was introduced.   so, this one is sold, but i thought you might like to watch as she comes back together... SOLD

here are some before pics   

She is back together and I just started playing her.  I like too do a three day play/test on my rebuilds, so that i can check it with the light each morning, play it, then clamp the keys down until the next morning.  This really helps get the pads seated and the horn off to a good start.

Here's some pics of her all assembled (it was spring, so you know... flowers.)

This SML has a huge, rich voice, impeccable intonation and isn't bad on the eyes either...

Before 

After    Buescher Aristocrat Tenor:  Rare early version of the Aristo, with the small bell for a more focused, sweeter sound.  Beautiful Art Deco engraving.  Think Johnny  Hodges tone.  Serial # 272,xxx, built about 1937.    No major damage ever done to it.  Neck looks great and has a matching S#.   I am going to remove a couple small dents/dings and do a Satin Silver Resto on this one, then when it's back from Anderson Silver Plating, I will do a complete rebuild/repad with metal backed Buescher style pads and snap the reso's back in.  It just returned from Andersons.  New pics above.

I've just finished her up, really quite beautiful.  Beautiful is really the right work for the tone produced by the small parabolic bore.  I would say it's a compact, or centered tone that is very warm and rich.

here are the "just finished" pics:

Here, She's about halfway together.  Just to be clear, i never do re-lacquers, and i usually only do my silver resto's when a sax has already been relacquered... it's the only way to add back the weight and beauty again.  Here's half way finished pics

This customer checked out our Rebuilds page and added the Premium Rebuild to this package.  It really does make the action much smoother and faster...

It's all done.  This one has a fabulous Getz like sound, like when he was doing the "Latin jazz" sound era, using my hard rubber mouthpiece... the sound is full and warm, but has a good crispness to the top.  Just great!

Before >   

Above is the before shot of this weeks silver restoration project.  This is a customers horn and it was in good condition overall, but had been relacquered.   This is the ideal candidate for one of my silver resto projects, the sax is not beat, just needs to be restored to it's former glory and adding silver plating can give them back the sound they were intended to have.  I don't like to remove original lacquer and wont take a project anymore, unless there is 25% original lacquer or less remaining, or it has been relacquered... but the right horn can come out absolutely beautiful, sound stronger and have more resonance once a relacquer is removed and the new silver adds to the weight of the sax.  In every case the resto has opened up the sound, like taking a blanket off or something.

   In this case, i removed a few small dents and then had it Chemically stripped, no buffing is done at all.  Then Anderson Silver and Sherry Huntley of "Artistic Engraving", work together to prepare it for it transformation.

here is the first "after" pic:

I've got the springs back in, the pads installed in the keys and the sax reassembled now.  i will be spending the next few days adjusting and regulating the whole sax.

here are the pics as it looks today

i thought i'd post my answer to an email i received on this very subject:

This week i'm finishing up on one of my silver Restorations.  This sax came to us relacquered and needing much TLC. 

So i Prepped it, removed scratches, removed dents, cleaned up previous bad soldering work, buffed out small imperfections and sent it to Anderson's Silver Plating for plating and Artistic Engraving's for re-engraving.  It came out beautiful, have a look:

I'll put up some more pics of it, as soon as i've made some progress...

She's coming together.  Just to be clear, i never do re-lacquers, and i usually only do my silver resto's when a sax has already been relacquered... it's the only way to add back the weight and beauty again.

the finished product is beautiful and plays like a dream.  

Here is The Owners comment on the MK VI restoration:  

OK friends, i know it took a while, but it's back together.  looks good too!

 and she's playing again, after what must have been 40 years of sitting without any care.  

The previous rebuild had left it in pretty goofy condition, so i  did an authentic French style rebuild, with my premium teflon and ultrasuede upgrade.  The customer wanted Saxgourmet pads and selmer plastic domed reso's.  Here are some after pics:

the pics aren't as good as usual, because it's rainy outside and i had to take them inside with a flash...

   She's all finished now, has an awesome tone that is full and powerful, the keys feels so smooth opening and closing... and she looks absolutely beautiful too.

The new stainless springs are in.  The new pearls are in.  The Premium Repad with Saxgourmet pads and flat metal reso's are in...  All back together and playing like a house a fire, this thing is a powerhouse...  not to bad to look at either. 

  Buescher "Big B" Bari, IN ORIGINAL SILVER PLATE:  For many, this would be the Holy Grail in baritones.  i had to take some dents out of the neck curl, but the body was great.  I  did my Premium Buescher Style repad, with Saxgourmet pads.  These bari's have a big, warm sound and are fantastic for Big Band, Swing and even Classical.

This classic mk vi is no longer for sale, but i will try to find another good candidate and do this type of resto again sometime.

3-05  SML Silver Plate Tenor:  This is another of our restoration jobs.  It came from a customer who had this lacquer model in poor shape and we prepped it and had it silver plated and re-engraved.  it really came out beautiful...

Those are the original engravings... Sherry Huntley, of Artistic Engravings did an excellent job re-engraving this one.

 Bob, fom Goldmasters, did some custom gold plating and that put the icing on the cake... All Done!

2-05:  Conn Bass Sax :  This is a big one!  it took longer than my usual to rebuild, as the body and bell must be soldered back together and all the keys had to be hand re-fitted, all new stainless steel springs cut, ends flattened and installed... and most of the hinge tube screws had to be fabbed.

Before 

This is a total silver restoration.  It took months and great patience on the part of the owner, to bring this "project" to completion.  It needed everything you can even think of restored or repaired and that just takes time.

I prepped it and sent it to Anderson's for a satin and polished silver finish, with a 24 carat bell interior.

This is a Premium rebuild, so i'm using lots of Ultrasuede and Teflon... I'm putting in Music Medics "Saxgourmet" black Kangaroo pads and snapping the original reso's in place.

and she's all done... a really warm and fat sounding alto and so pretty, you can barely look at it.

    "The Martin Tenor" Committee:  Lacquer model, that was relacquered, very carefully, with no buffing, but to really make it superb, I chem stripped it and did   S# 198,xxx 1956, a really good year for TMT's.   i put in Music Medics "Saxgourmet" black Kangaroo pads and Noyaks reso's and this thing is a monster.  it has huge sound, is full of lush overtones and can crank out R&R just as easily.

Conn  New Wonder "Chu Berry" style, C- Melody Alto:  Serial number M170,xxx, dates it from 1927. this near mint example has the nail file G sharp key, micro tuner neck and and rolled tone holes and it's also in the more rare nickel plate.  We are doing a Premium rebuild for a customer with this one and getting some very nice custom "Conn Artist style" engravings (as it originally had no engravings, aside for C.G. Conn), created by Jason DuMars.

 Here's some  pics of Jason's custom engravings...

   and here's after the custom plating...

      and finally, the icing on the cake    Neck Engravings.  

The finished sax is a bold and beautifully warm sounding, work of art that can be played and enjoyed for years to come.

.             

   Our friend Robert, from Goldmasters    came today and 24 carat Gold plated the bell, bell to body brace and crook brace.  These were hard to reach parts that were soldered onto the body, that could not be dip plated and he has done a beautiful job on a very difficult project that required masking off and carefully detailed work.

    I measured every tonehole and custom ordered a set of solid silver flat resonators that cover 90% of the tonehole.

And I thank Randall, for this nice review of my services

From: Randall Pennington

Hi Sarge,
Now that summer vacation has fully begun, I just wanted to tell you about the SBA bari you restored for me earlier this year.  As you know, I have a pretty imposing set of horns (some of my very best are on your page of bests!). One of them is a custom made JK bari, a MK VI low A and of course the SBA. Recently I started playing bari full time in my salsa band too, so I have been trying out all 3 baris to see what works best.
Well, the SBA has won, hands down....the sound is exactly what I needed for the tunes I we do and the action is just perfect. The work you did on this horn is as good or better than what you did on my Buescher TH&C tenor. This horns simply screams, grunts, wails and honks!
I couldn't ask for a better restoration than the one you gave it. It is worth every cent I payed.
Next is the beauty of the horn...it is absolutely stunning from the plating and gold accents and inner bell plating that you had added later, to the elaborate engraving....my many thanks to your wife for helping with the drawing for the angel in the bell!
I just performed with this bari at a salsa festival and virtually every member of the Cuban band that was doing a sound check before us, when they saw the horn as they were leaving the stage, literally ooohed and aaahed when they saw the horn. And they were all BRASS players! One guy came up to me after our performance and told me he wished they could find a bari sax for their band. They liked the sound that much!
This is not the first time that horns you have restored for me have gotten kudos from non-sax players.
I don't know what else to say that I haven't said before Sarge. I love what you have done for my horns....I couldn't be happier!
Looking forward to getting another masterpiece done in the near future....
Kindest regards,

Randall Pennington
Fukuoka, Japan

Very interesting saxes, the Houvangal design used ideas from the Boehm tuning method, so it looks quite different than 90% of other tenors.  This one's in pretty good shape, except for one deep dent under the palm keys and several posts that have been pushed into the body a little ways.  I pushed out the dents and installed  special order pads, along with some Ultra suede, and Teflon

here's how it all started:

1-23-03  Total restoration begun, with new Anderson Silver Plate, on SML Gold Medal Tenor. This is a 4-6 month process, but here are some BEFORE  prep pics.   There were some repairs that needed to be done, the Eb keyguard and tonehole had been smashed and pushed into the body, we fixed that.  The strap hook was worn on the top inside, so we flipped it.  Part of the prepping is removing a many dents as possible and we are still going over it for those.  We got a crease and a dent smoothed out pretty nicely in the Bell rim.      The sax has to be prepped and sent to Anderson plating for a beautiful silver and gold plate and then finally back here for a premium repad.  Part of the fun of making a primo horn is a little customizing... here we added a comfy Selmer thumb hook.

Now that it's back, we will do our Premium Total repad and make it play better than new.  Using Black Goatskin pads, with gold foil, Noyak oversized reso's, and synth cork and ultra suede for quieting and bumper materials.

She's coming along very nicely and gets more gorgeous daily!

She's all done and I hope Big Al doesn't  HAVE TO SNEAK THIS ONE IN THE DOOR AT MIDNIGHT, SO HIS WIFE DOESN'T GET JEALOUS!   Seriously, this SML has a great big, warm and distinctive sound that I can only describe as FABULOUS!

Here is without a doubt, one our finest works, a Buescher 400 Top Hat and Cane:  these are the finished pictures, there are pics from the beginning of the reassembly below

 This incredible sax has been custom engraved to Randall Pennington's specifications, with Sherry Huntly's Artistic Engravings, Silver plated as well as 24 c. Gold plated inside the bell and has been totally rebuilt with our Premium Repad, with Prestini Black Goatskin Pads and Solid Silver Resonators.  Click on the pics above for a more detailed image, or click here for backside, bell, gold inside bell and back engraving,  key engraving and  Bell Keys 

  SML Strasser Mariguax Lemaire Baritone:  This beauty got the full restoration treatment.  It had old brownish lacquer, so we got it mist stripped and silverplated at Anderson plating, re-engraved with Sherry Huntly's Artistic Engravings, then did our premium repad.  This is one of my finest works.  What a big, strong  sound!  Huge tone production...enough to get you thrown out of most orchestras!

  Keilwerth SX90 Straight Alto:  One of three projects for Randall Pennington.  It came to us in lacquer and retuned to Randall in Japan, as one of our finest works.  Silver and gold plating, custom engraving, with Sherry Huntly's Artistic Engravings virtually everywhere, and a premium repad.  Best sounding alto I can recall and so beautiful it is like a piece of art.

. 

We used Grey Joey's light gray Kangaroo skin pads, really nice look and sound.  Well, she's all done now and came out just beautiful.  First play test sounded rich and vintage.  

It had an original York mouthpiece that looked like a Sigard Rascher make, so I opened it up from .045" to .075" and it adds a dark tone and great overtones.  Just a beautiful warm sounding sax.  I'm very happy with the way it came out.   Here's the email we got after the owner had been playing it a while:

Steve

I've had the York back now for a week and I still feel like I need to be
wearing white gloves whenever I play it. It turned out much better than I
ever imagined. It amazes me at what beautiful sounds come out of an
instrument that is 75 years old. Of course now it is essentially better than
new. When people see my sax they can't believe how beautiful it is.

Your suggestion to open up the mouthpiece has made a world of difference.

I'm fortunate that I live only an hours drive away from you. However, I want
to take this opportunity to let your customers around the world know that
when they are dealing with you, they are dealing with the best!

The quality of your work, your knowledge, and your professionalism are
outstanding. I'm so glad I found you to perform your "magic" on my vintage
sax.

Please feel free to use my name as a reference. I can assure you we will be
keeping in touch.

Thanks again!
Mike Spencer   spencermichael@hotmail.com (Michael Spencer)
Maple Valley, Washington

I sold this nice Conqueror about 8 years ago...

  Conn Connqueror 26m:  This was my personal alto for many years, until it found a new home in Japan.  Probably Conn's finest hour.  a Standard rebuild with domed nylon reso's seemed to make her play and sound best.  

This nice SML alto just sold a few years back...

  SML Rev B Alto:  This was one of our restorations, it had dog ugly relac and we sent it to Anderson for Silver plate and re-engraving and it came out just fabulous too.  It's sporting our Premium rebuild and has been in the capable hands of a very promising student for a couple years now.  Great Horn!

      Removed dents  in body and neck, then reassembled neck curl top and bow.

Finally, align the posts and re-install the keys, level the pads and adjust the key heights...

We're all done now, and she's looking really good.

1936 Conn 10M Tenor:   Serial #272,xxx, made about 1936.  Very little of the original finish left, but in excellent physical condition, minimal dents, no previous repairs.  Rolled tone holes, big 10m sound. I plan to send her to Anderson Silver Plating for a Satin silver Finish, with polished highlights and a 24 carat gold bell interior... and while she's in Elkhart, Sherry will re-engrave the lady too.  When she's back, I'll totally rebuild her with Tan Prestini pads and flat metal resonators... and a full Premium Upgrade, to enhance her old design and make her feel smooth and fast. appx. 2999.00  Sold the 2nd day it was in stock... but i'll try to get another classic like this soon.

It will take about 3 months to complete, so i will put it up here again, when it gets back, so you can see the before and after...

That's all for now folks... I have a couple shoeboxes of photos, from years past, before the digital camera came into existence, so I'll dig into it some time and include some more of the great horns I've been lucky enough to work on.