Saxophone Forum


by Stebeeben
(3 posts)
19 years ago

Old Saxophones

I'm playing on a Yamaha Custom YAS 875 and I love it. I've had it for about a year now. I bought it from a saxophone teacher at a local college. I like to say this sax has "good mojo" and I give it partial credit to getting me into the North Carolina School of the Arts. I guess I'm pretty spoiled because this is a beautiful sax, except for a couple places where the laquer is gone from too much love, the sax is in the same condition as my friend's brand new custom, if not better from the occasional tweaking. I went to a friends house, and he showed me his grandmother's "funky old saxophone." It turned out to be this beautiful silver Lyon and Healy C Melody saxophone. It needed alot of work before it could be in playing condition, but there was absolutely no corrosion on this horn. He had started to polish it up a little on the bell. Since seeing this horn, I've been all over ebay looking for old beat up saxophones because I'm completely facinated by them. I guess I'm looking for a diamond in the rough. So I'm asking what you people know about old saxophones. Are there any really old "coveted" saxophones that I could be lucky to get my hands on? What about Lyon and Healy? I've never heard of them before. What are your views on relaquering saxophones? I was always under the impression that it completely skrews with the tone of a good saxophone, and not to do it. Any information I can get I'd be greatful for. I'm really just looking for a hobby I can work on in my spare time. Learning how to fix up 90 year old saxophone could be pretty fun.

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  1. by kneejerk52
    (397 posts)

    19 years ago

    Re: Old Saxophones

    hi steb i have an 1920's tru tone stencil given to me by my aunt, about 35 years ago, i recently got interested in restoring it and just cleaning it by taking it apart and polishing it you would'nt believe what a difference. what notes i could get out of it were so sweet. check your local newspapaer for sales, i found a 1960's VSP vito alto, what a great horn, and for a c-note you could say a bargin. have fun with your search

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    1. by Stebeeben
      (3 posts)

      19 years ago

      Re: Old Saxophones

      thanks for the input

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      1. by [email protected]
        (1 post)

        19 years ago

        Re: Old Saxophones

        Hi Guys. Have been working on old saxes and just about all other instruments for ever. Had music store in Ohio for over 25 years, father was in the business from the early 30s.to the 70s. Repairs have always been the basis of out stores.

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