SOLD - Sarge's Collection: Whew! this baby always gets more looks in the shop than most. What a color! This Uber-professional level Bb Tenor saxophone is fabricated and hand made from 72% formulated Copper alloy yellow brass with full rib post construction and hand hammered bell. All rods are solid nickel silver with stainless steel screws, springs are tempered blue steel and authentic Mother of Pearl key buttons are used throughout. All the Guardala extras come standard, like hand engraving on the bell (not laser engraved like the later made Guardala's), high F#, plus extensive fine tuning key adjustment screws at all critical points, but you can't miss the meticulous, fancy, hand engraving on the bell. Upper and lower key stacks are ergonomically designed for smooth, accurate and positive digital feel.
The serial number is super low FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION ( #00832 -- CORRECTED NUMBERS 10/2016, Made in Germany). This sax was manufactured long before Dave Guardala's association with LA Sax started (that is, the "LA SAX" Laser engraved saxes bearing his name, after B&S folded), and LA Saxes compromises in the quality of the product began appearing. Don't be tricked, the DG500's are the real thing, serial numbers will differentiate the B&S models from the LA sax ones. The mouthpiece (in the pics) is sarge's and is not for sale or included. I never knew Sarge to even play this one and the set up is with tan pads and metal domed resos with rivet (like modern selmer). There are only two cosmetic things to mention and it is 1) a small lacquer burn on the low B key (see pics) and 2) the bow rib (very bottom) was resoldered at one point. I don't know the story there but I just reduced the price $500 to reflect this. Rare rose gold lacquered brass is so beautiful. I will have to find a nice case for her.
Buffet 1975 ‘S-1’ Bb Tenor, #23,9xx (Archived)
From Sarge's Collection: This rare Buffet S-1 looks and played absolutely great on arrival but the pads were a big mix bag of old and new ones. The whole horn is pretty clean and is original. we can see a few original acid bleeds (D key cup, C# post...), includes yamaha replacement case. Known for its well design, these heavy horns keep adjustment well and are very reliable, also excellent intonation and crazy gadgets on the Eb/C rocker, Low Bb table, High F#, & opt. F#--Highly over-engineered. The serial number is 23,9xx, which means it was made in 1975. the 70's model Buffets had a little more edge and some folks prefer them for that trait. The S-1 is actually quite brighter and bolder than the previous SDAs; so they're a cross between the Buffet SDA & a King Super 20. We decided to give it a French Standard rebuild with premium extras and put flat metal resos w/ rivet to match its original factory setup.
Guardala 1990s ‘DG500-SP ‘ Bb Tenor, Silver Plate #003822 (Archived)
SOLD - Sarge's Collection: Another really fantastic German sax is a B&S stencil, for Dave Guardala. I just bought this one, i have been searching for a early serial number Guardala model 500 for some time. The craftsmanship is awesome on these horns. Ergonomics are up there with Keilwerth and Selmer, the materials used are far above par. The sound is unique and falls somewhere in-between a Conn "Chu" Tenor and a Selmer MK VI. Here is the Official Description:
The serial number is below 4000. This sax was manufactured before Guardala's association with LA Sax started, and compromises in the quality of the product began appearing."This professional level Bb Tenor saxophone is fabricated and hand made from 72% formulated Copper alloy yellow brass with full rib post construction and hand hammered bell. All rods are solid nickel silver with stainless steel screws, springs are tempered blue steel and authentic Mother of Pearl key buttons are used throughout. Custom hand made French pads, by Chanu, with metal resonators come standard along with hand engraving on the bell, high F#, plus extensive fine tuning key adjustment screws at all critical points. This horn has triple silver plating finish with meticulous fancy hand engraving on the bell. Upper and lower key stacks are ergonomically designed for smooth, accurate and positive digital feel."
CRB addendum: SERIAL : #03822 (updated 10/2016)
LeBlanc 1962 ‘Rationale’ Bb Tenor, #513 (Archived)
SOLD - From Sarge's Collection: This is an amazing and rare Leblanc Tenor saxophone, a pro horn with the unique Leblanc mechanism, where the G# tone hole is at the rear and all the front pads remain open - the fingerings possible on a Leblanc are far more versatile than a conventional sax allowing for easier transitions in what are usually difficult passages - as well as multiple false fingerings and a greater range of altissimo fingerings. The Leblanc has a strong individual voice and speaks extremely well, one of the great advantages of the system is that normally stuffy notes like middle D and E speak with a clear open voice - the uniformity throughout the range is simply unachievable in any other horn. This one has at least 95% original lacquer and is in top notch condition. I haven't had to do too much to it, except a minor tune up. It even has the original green print case in great shape! Serial #513.
King 1952 ‘Super 20’ Bb Tenor, Full Pearl, #325k (Archived)
SOLD - From Sarge's Collection: Nice original lacquer super 20, with the Serial number 325,692. These have a lot of nice features, like pearls on all the keys and Sterling Silver, sleeve style neck, but what i really love is the rich, big tone. Super 20's are more or less divided up into 3 categories, early, middle and late production, this one falls in the middle and has a great balance of sound. The King horns sure get my vote and i gig with them often. This one was rebuilt with thick brass resonators, oversized, I believe originally from a TM setup.
Conn 1942 ’10M’ Bb Tenor, #306,8xx (Archived)
SOLD - Sarge's Collection: Prime era 10m in original lacquer, S# 306,843. the thing is 30-m's and 10-m's are so different , i felt like i need to have both... the 30m is more of a jazz horn and the 10m works better for my rockin' R&B stuff. It has never seen any notable body damage, although some minor dents may have been rolled out before i got her. Rolled tone holes, Naked Lady engraving. The neck is slightly pulled down, i corrected that and eventually i will do a Conn Style Premium Rebuild, with Saxgourmet Kangaroo pads and flat metal resonators. The premium upgrade, with Teflon and Ultrasuede, will really do a lot to smooth out the action on her. Chadd comments: This one is a real screamer. Setup with oversized flat metal resonators, and the Black Saxgourmet Roo pads. Just the real deal here, everything you'd expect from the fable of 10M's.