SOLD - Rare. Stunning condition. Deluxe JK. A silver plate, professional Julius Keilwerth with high F# key, and G# trill, and the plastic guard in tact. If this is for the collector in you, I might even throw in a JK slimline mouthpiece to the sale of my baby. She is not perfect, as you can see the dreaded sax-stand scratches on the bell.
PADS: She was rebuild elsewhere with black roo pads and plastic resos. (The pads are far too new/nice for me to be unhappy with the setup that was choosen, so I will leave them. JK would have had domed-metal resos originally.)
CASE: Original "JK" emblemed, green case in excellent condition. It's super cool to see these with the case, but they are hard to trust for safety of the plastic guard.
Item #:CP-WWS1E5.7E8.58.10181.7-98
Keilwerth 2001 ‘EX-90 Series II’ Bb Tenor, #113k (Archived)
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
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
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.) 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". 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
Martin 1949 ‘The Martin Alto’ Eb Alto, #174,5xx (Archived)
SOLD - A sax with that "It Factor" in the tone: easy to play, outstanding response, and makes your head tilt in joy after a few notes. That's one of the main reasons we are considering the restoration.
FINISH: some correct color, clear engraving, but heavy lacquer runs. I'm left to input my expert opinion as: Original without heavy buffing with addition spot relacquering that was messy.
CASE: We'll find a nice one to pair with it, a Protec ProPac.
King 1939 ‘Zephyr’ Eb Alto, Series II #216k (Archived)
SOLD - Original lacquer finish at 90%, Matching serial number 216k on the neck and body. This horn has a very nice, sweet tone.
It does have a few scratches shown in the photos. No known resolders to mention. You may notice the two different hues of lacquer (bell vs bow), and I have seen this before on Super 20s; I see this trait as fully original. (See my WWS Zephyr Special with the similar trait.)
I love Kings; and these models surely hold their own for those with an ear like mine.
CASE: Original case in great condition. (missing one corner of leather cap)
PADS: Rebuilt elsewhere with tan pads and plastic resos (vintage Selmer style).