SOLD - Another superb alto sax. So first and foremost the lacquer on this sax is worth discussing. According to my expert opinion and microscope inspection I will say this: "Original lacquer, with wear and redness underneath what looks like another layer of clear coat. It was tricky to formulate this opinion." This sax was babied by the owner since about 1965 and I know they never did any finish modifications under their ownership (second owner). Serial number on the neck and body match.
PADS: Currently in newer pads that play well. Original domed, metal resos were reinstalled (according to the owner).
CASE: A non-original hard case. In good condition. It does fit the sax, but the end plug makes the sax fit differently due to the top block for the end. There is plenty of room in the case for the sax to be safe.
Conn 1921 ‘New Wonder I’ Bb Soprano, Curved, Silver #72,71x (Archived)
SOLD - Rebuilt by WWS a few years ago and has very low playing hours. #72k, Keyed to F!, Finish: Original Silver with gold wash bell. There are only a few curved sopranos we can recommend. This is one! Having the high-F key and it being in great shape overall make this one to pursue. No major damage to report except that I will resolder the bell guard foot. The sax is in great shape cosmetically.
CASE: Comes with a nice hard case in good shape.
Item #:WWS00.00.6271.7-C6-11CONS-ML
Martin 1948 ‘The Martin Tenor’ Bb Tenor, #166k (Archived)
SOLD - A beautiful "The Martin Tenor", with an early serial number (matching neck #), and many original features present: brown felt from the factory(under G# lever, F & A pearls, Eb lever), and of course the important tell: the rear sticker. There are some areas of the engraving that seem thinner than others, but due to all the other original factory parts, I still think this sax is factory original. That being said, this is one of the top-10 pretties "The Martin"s I've seen. The horn is in excellent condition and still plays very lusciously with the old setup (no resos, rivet only on some pads). there are only a few small dings to mention (photoed one on the bell lip), and some solder grit on the Eb key cup top, a few misc scratches, and wear on the octave key.
PACKAGE: It also comes with the Martin end cap, and an original Martin mouthpiece!
CASE: original martin case. The early era brown, wood case.
REBUILD: We are planning to offer this sax with a "Sarge Special" rebuild - Black Roo pads($100+), silver plated Resotech resos($200~), WWS Premium upgrade ($300), and full rebuild ($1000~). If you'd like to change these options/price we can discuss that. But we need to talk quickly to get this squared up.
Selmer 1985 ‘Super Action 80 Series I’ Eb Baritone, Low A #376k (Archived)
SOLD - Strong Selmer build, keyed up to F#, down to low A... Here's a real gem. Save your money from the Series II and strongly consider this Series I. Ser#376k dates it to 1985. In original lacquer and overall in good condition. This horn was loved and used all at the same time and has been in the closet for 10 years. There are a few bumps to mention: Eb guard had foot resoldered, and bell lip shows signs of straightening work, also some other common dents/dings from chairs and use.
PADS: Currently it is in the original pads (tan with metal resos). They do play well to Low A but I would recommend some near-immediate maintenance. (PC bill: $200+). They could be stretched longer and a full rebuild is optional, not required.
CASE: A hard case with the Buffet logo on it. It is in good condition.
REBUILD: Optional! - This listing is for "as is", but I would advise a new owner to plan to put in $200-400 of small repairs into it. Or you could hire WWS to rebuild it as part of the purchase. Depending on how the numbers work out, you basically end up with a -$200 savings off a regular rebuild price. please inquire.
Item #:WWSConJN4W3.0W1.00.6281.7-0
Conn 1931 ‘New Wonder II’ Eb Alto, Art Deco-custom #244k (Archived)
SOLD - Ser # 244,xxx, a 1931 model. Another Great "Chu" with Art Deco engraving, nailfile G#, rolled tone holes, tuning neck, everything we love. It has been very nicely relacquered and looks nice and vintage (see pics). I repaded it, with a Conn-style, standard repad (aka, a vintage rebuild). Sarge decided to send it off to Sherry Huntley and have it re-engraved to make this Deco-style bell really pop out (also secretly adding Silver on the engraving for blend/pop). Classic vintage Conn hard case included.
Grassi 1993 ‘Professional 2000’ Eb Baritone, Low A #64k (Archived)
SOLD - A superb baritone that will blow the doors down! This Grassi has a tone that blows us away for its "crispness" & "bark". It reminds me of Keilwerth bark, but with slightly less spread in the harmonics. "Professional 2000" engraved under the serial #, elongated C/Eb key touches (added modern comfort). There are other great features also: Grassi's elaborate tube rings, bell engraving, F#-arm adjustment screws, ...note that there is no high F#. There were ding dings/one dent to mention on the lower, front bow--*I can take this dent out; It will clean up nicely. There may be a few small pings on it too. She's not perfect, but she is very very pretty.
Not many people have ever played a Grassi, even more so, there is not a ton of information on these. These were "Made in Italy" and do have a respectful following - as long as you are working with the professional model. This #64k is later in the factory run.
CASE: Original Grassi Hard case. It is a little lighter-grade, (light, and a little flimsy) but overall it's in excellent condition.
FINISH: Original Lacquer Body & Keys.
SOUND: Powerful, presence, a little "bark", crisp. This is not ideal for quiet chamber work. (I really liked the tone with a Medium Chamber mouthpiece best -- see: similar to Yamaha 5C or Meyers, as an example.)
PADS: Current pad setup is original and plays very well. It has tan pads and larger metal resonators - nickel; with a seamless, light dome; and no-rivet.
I think you could fall in love with this sax as-is and enjoy it for several years without needing major pad work. I am happy to tune up the sax with some precision. There are minor things that I'd love to perfect.
Any one who actually knows what these horns offer will agree with the common statement: "These horns are highly undervalued, and offer you more for the money than many others in the same price range". Item #:WWS2E4.6E3.35.222.17-F
Yanagisawa 1972 ‘[Vito Stencil] 6 Series/B6’ Eb Baritone, Low A, Bare Brass #1,272,9xx(Archived)
SOLD - Early era professional Yanagisawa/Yani baritone known as the "6 Series". This is the earliest years of the 'stencil' lines (a "stenciled" name engraved on the the bell - built by Yani; and it says "Japan" under the serial number). You can see the Yani logo on the neck brace and the clothes guard. This sax arrived as a trade in, after it had received an estimated $1,200.00 repad + the new case. I will inspect it and make some adjustments as needed. The sax was ADULT OWNED and played semi-professionally by a 30+ year sax player.
FINISH: It was stripped from the original finish to bare brass; it has tarnished to a nice, golden color.
CASE: Comes with near new Protec case. ($300)
PADS: The pads are in great shape; tan pads with plastic resonators.
Buescher 1926 ‘True Tone’ Eb Alto, Series III, Silver, #205k (Archived)
SOLD - Serial #205k, the first good era with roller G#. In great condition, and a little tarnish to wipe off (it will shine great!). Silver is 90% intact, the bell is silver inside, not goldwash. Some wear inside the bell down to brass. I'm not sure if it was gold and was rubbed out over time--my gut says silver since the beginning. It has the earlier-era engraving, with a crisp "Buescher" on the bell. Neck is # "1". This model has a great tubby-warmth to the sound --Sigard Rascher made this one famous! They have a tone that is uniquely 'Buescher' for early vintage saxes--very woody--but intonation was not perfected well on these 1920s horns; having a proper mouthpiece will help! (A larger chamber will be recommended.) It has the original wood case in "Good/ok" shape. Currently we are treating the case with some anti-odor methods. Please check in with me on this topic. I believe we'll be able to make it work well for you. This sax was rebuilt with tan pads and plastic resos (no snaps present) by a very reputable Northwest WA sax repairman. The work was done 10yrs ago and the sax was barely played during that first year. It has been in its case since.