SOLD - An intermediate sax with the big brother as the SX90(pro model). You'll love the pro build in quality and slick keys. As a fellow JK (couf) player, the main difference I noticed was the side Bb-C-E placement. It was very close to the body. Perhaps this is a design for smaller hands to not bump them.
SOUND: full of harmonics, like the JK sound is known for. "meaty, robust, round, full".
PADS: It has what seems like mostly original factory pads with nickel resos (domed with rivet center). they have a good pad life left and should be good, with normal, mild maintenance, for the about 2-7 years.
CASE: original case in good, working order; but note the wear and tear to the styrofoam backing in the interior.
This sax was given a recent tuneup on arrival here at WWS. You should be able to leave with this sax and enjoy it right away.
Olds 1940s ‘Super’ Bb Tenor, Silver #1,08x (Archived)
SOLD - The rare OLDS Super tenor sax - in superb condition! These are strongly linked to Martins - think: Committee 1 & 2 blended. These are very well built saxes. There was a tone of love and craftsmanship in this era. This sax arrived in what I believe is likely the original pad setup from that era! - it is only a rivet in the pads, no resonators. The tone of it is thus muted and tubby. I should capture this for history's sake! At any rate, with a proper pad setup these will have a focused core tone and the small bore acts much like a Committee 1 & 2. The silver in very well intact, the neck has the matching serial number... CONS: There is solder evidence near the neck insert. My plan, address some of that on the body neck receiver, and silver plate any repairs (aka: make it awesome!). Otherwise, the sax is in excellent condition!
BEAUTY NOTE: I tried capture the luster of the pearls - I couldn't with a camera! These pearls glimmer with a green/turquoise hue that is so beautiful. I've also taken extra photos for documentation; and you'll notice that I have anti-tarnished/polished a few areas as a test. Enjoy!
CASE: A vintage wood case, with a white/yellow interior fuzz; likely the original also! It's only in "OK+" shape. A horn of this caliber should demand a new case, but I hate to separate the original parts.
REBUILD: Included in the price is a WWS Standard Rebuild: Prestini Tan pads, Resos at 60%+ (flat nickel with rivet), natural cork throughout, plus extra love for OLDS keywork. Ask me about special gold plating on the engraving or other ideas that we are considering.
2016 added research (to be continued): Prior to growing internet knowledge, Sarge used his collection and experience to help with the history and profiles on saxes. This horn needs an update to documentation: The CA company employed a former Martin employee. Thus the strong link in design from Martin. Was is made by Martin?-No; but you can clearly see the direct similarities.
Item #:WWS1S0.2S0.00.661.7-0
Brilhart ‘Level-Air 5*’ Tenor, 1973 Ser#73,173 – 0.089″(Archived)
SOLD - This mpc is a nice free blowing mpc with a tip measuring 0.089". Tooth pad in excellent shape. It blows easy and with a big sound with heavy mid tones for a metal, cliff-style baffle. Vertical denim table marks date it to the 70s as well. These are made of stainless steel.
Currently paired with the original ligature and cap (these are often lost and someone may try to separate these from me).
Item:WWS0W0.0W0.12071.6-C0
Woodwind Co. ‘New York “B6″‘ Tenor, (BP Refaced) – 0.110” (Archived)
SOLD - Terrific material and good classic design. Large chamber makes for a big vintage sound. It arrived with the engraved "BP 0.110" on the side with excellent finish work by Brian - Super professional! I liked it but I felt that it was missing ... just that 'extra umph'. It is opened upĀ a tonĀ from the original to a easy blowing 0.110" with a 25mm facing length.
Buescher 1945 ‘400 – “Top Hat & Cane”‘ Eb Alto, #304k (Archived)
SOLD - A gorgeous Buescher TH&C alto here. These are less common to come available for sale and once you hear and feel this one, you'll know why. Paired with a good mouthpiece, these have great intonation, evenness in tone, and a warm, fat, melodic tone that is tied the Buescher's pinnacle and the big bell on this model. The older pads on this sax have tons of life left, minor tune-ups were done and few more that are included with the price. The sax plays to low Bb easily. Notable mentions: one shipping-damage repair was done here to the octave linkage to replace the lever.
CASE: Comes with original red case in ok/good shape (all latches work etc).
I'm more than happy to queue up a Sound File to prove this baby plays lusciously.
Item #: ConsBG.1W8.0W1.00.10101.7-C20
Selmer ‘”Soloist E”‘ Alto, 1950s Short Scroll Shank – 0.079″ (Archived)
SOLD - Very rare, desirable "Soloist E" + single screw ligature!!! Made of excellent hard rubber, these mouthpieces have the horseshoe chamber and offer a clean, warm, vintage tone that can do many genres - that's probably helped the demand go up.
The tip measures 0.079" (+) and is a bit on the [larger] side for most alto players. Good for legit, concert band, or orchestra work, or subtle, vintage jazz, lead alto or solo work! I bought this from a friend who had it with her Super Balance Action (SBA) alto that she was the second owner of; it's likely that she may have had this as the original mouthpiece that was paired with her 1950s SBA.
LIGATURE and CAP: vintage single-screw ligature ($+100) and cap. I don't really plan to split these up.
Item: WWS2.0W0.0W0.7181.7-C30
SML 1952 ‘Revision D’ Bb Tenor, Silver #9,74x (Archived)
SOLD - A stunning example of a Rev. D, previously owned by Peter Ponzol (with documentation), and the famous SML sound that people crave. COLLECTOR PACKAGE: Complete set with original SML rubber mouthpiece, ligature and cap, and end plug. Also, there is a vintage lyre that is so unique, it's a new sight for me! I will definitely document it for the "Cool Stuff" area on the website. I will honestly try to not write too much on this one. The photos should tell you all you need to know. ***However, I will say that there is that extra "it" factor in the tone when I play it - It's just special. (Bias note: I love JK's and SML's as I own and play a SML Rev D alto.) Ā There is only one negative to mention - and that is the small crack at the seam of the bell flare. Due to the horn's amazing condition, this must be a factory flaw and it is recommended to "leave it be".Ā There are no dings and pings that jump out at me to mention. The neck looks excellent to match.
REBUILD: It was worked on at the MusicMedic Pro Shop for their high-end Rebuild in 2014 (before some key personnel changes - hint) and it plays fantastic. The work at that time was billed at $1,980. The workmanship is fantastic and the horn plays effortlessly. It was setup with black kangaroo pads, and seamless domed resos(slight dome). The springs are blue steel needle springs and the tension is "medium-fast"(via WWS),
CASE: original hard case in fantastic shape to match, green interior, sleek outside.
Item#:WWSConsMP-8091.7-MM14
Martin 1953 ‘The Martin Tenor’ Bb Tenor, Near Mint, #184k (Archived)
SOLD - Wow - One of, if not, THE nicest, gorgeously beaming "The Martin Tenor" saxophones for sale in the world right now. It's rebuilt and ready to play! With a mid-range serial number era (1946~63), it is right in the middle era for tone (earlier is darker). It's gorgeous; I'll stop blabbing now.
COLLECTOR PACKAGE: Original Martin mouthpiece, ligature and cap, and end plug.
REBUILD: Rebuilt elsewhere, is has black Saxgourment kangaroo pads ($100) and Silver ResoTech Resos (Oversized, flat, $200+).
The tone is popping on this one due to the resonators; there is added crispness to the 'cutting ability' all while still completely filling the room with the [Martin Tone] that you may be seeking. (I'll try to get a sound file). It really reminds me of Sarge's "Official Music Man"; probably due to the same pad setup! You can hear it below.
CASE: original Martin case in excellent condition. The early era brown, wood case.
My photos don't do this horn justice.
Item #:WWSConsignMP-08091.7-98-0517
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