1945 Buescher Aristocrat "Big B", ProTec Case - $2800

This Big B is in remarkably good condition and the engraving looks particularly stunning. It's in good playing condition and comes with a modern ProTec case so it's gig-ready. It has newer pads which were installed elsewhere and I just did $300 worth of work to get it playing well. There are a couple tiny dings but there really hasn't been any notable damage to speak of. It sounds incredible of course because it's a Big B tenor and in my opinion is one of the best sounding tenors ever made. That's why I play one myself! 

1931 Conn Transitional Tenor, Modern Case, Great Playing Condition - $3250

This Conn tenor is a great player with a full, solid tone and blows extremely free with a wide open feel. This is the transitional model so it has features of both the New Wonder II (Chu Berry) and the 10M. It has recently been on tour with the Count Basie Orchestra in the hands of Doug Lawrence. Some of the engraving is not original but looks exceptionally good and I believe was done by Eric Drake and is appropriate to the Conn style. It was overhauled at another shop at some point and I have done some minor setup work so it is gig-ready and plays very well. The case is very nice and colorful and fits the horn well. If you're a Conn fan, you really ought to give this one a try because the tone is glorious and it feels very satisfying to play. 

Yamaha YTS-23 Made in Japan, Maine Saxes Overhaul, Original Case & Mpc - $1250

This one is nearly mint condition, freshly overhauled, playing better than brand new. So that means I replaced all the pads and corks, leveled the tone holes, made the keywork perfectly straight and tightly-fit, adjusted all key openings and spring tensions. It includes the original case and Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, ligature, and cap. 

Archives

SOLD - 1998 Yanagisawa T-901, Maine Saxes Overhaul, Original Case

This is a really nice older Yani in near mint condition with a fresh overhaul. There is a little lacquer wear here and there in the usual spots but there is no damage and it is really gorgeous and plays better than new. I did my usual super meticulous overhaul with all new Pisoni pads, new corks and felts, nickel-plated brass resonators, perfectly fit keys, neck-fitting, leveled tone holes, perfectly adjusted key openings and spring tensions, etc. The original case is in near mint condition as well and is super clean. 

SOLD - 1998 Keilwerth SX90R, Just Serviced, Excellent Playing Condition, ProTec Case

This top-of-the-line Keilwerth tenor is playing like new and is super clean inside and out. I just finished doing an annual service so that was a full disassemble, clean, oil change, setup. I replaced 5 pads, reseated several others and leveled some tone holes, replaced stack corks, regulated, adjusted key heights, repaired a couple dents and replaced the neck cork. The majority of the pads are original (aside from the 5 that I just replaced) but have low milage and I made sure they are seated perfectly and clean. These horns are getting very expensive so this is a great opportunity to pick one up for much less than new and you won't have to worry about it needing any work. It's gig-ready and includes a ProTec case. 

SOLD - 1986 Yanagisawa 880, Maine Saxes Overhaul, Original Case

Here is a classic 880 tenor, Yanagisawa's top of the line horn from 1986 with a fresh overhaul and playing better than new. These horns are in high demand and are widely considered Yani's best horn ever and I really wouldn't disagree with that at all. The 880 has a super solid core sound with lots of bottom, fantastic tuning and response and the ergonomics and build quality are top-shelf. You will find some 880s with the name "Elimona" engraved on the bell and there seems to be some confusion about what that means. Yanagisawa would often engrave the name of the importer/distributor on a run of saxophones so you will see names like Prima or Elimona on some horns but these are the same instruments as the ones without the names, such as this one here. This is a fantastic classic horn and highly regarded and not very easy to find, especially in this condition. It includes the original case which is in pretty good condition. 

SOLD - 1955 Selmer Mark VI Tenor

Here's a great chance to get that holy grail 1955 Mark VI and have it overhauled to play like new. It's playable as-is but you'll definitely want it overhauled to get it to its full potential. There is a fair amount of typical dents, re-solders, and general wear-and-tear but overall it is in very good condition for a player's horn of this age. The neck is in excellent condition and I do see evidence of a slight pull-down that was repaired in the past.  The pads are pretty old and the horn has seen a lot of mileage but with a complete overhaul, this might just be one of the best-playing tenors you will ever find. One of my longtime clients has a tenor from this vintage that I overhauled several years ago and it's definitely one of the most memorable saxophones I've ever played. These really just play like butter and sound fantastic. It comes with the case shown here but you will definitely want to budget for a new case.

SOLD - Yamaha YTS-23, Maine Saxes Overhaul, Protec MAX Case, Yamaha 4C Mpc

Here's the best student model tenor you can buy and I gave it a complete overhaul so it plays better than new. It has all new pads, corks, felts, carefully leveled tone holes and pad cups, straight and tight key-work, perfect spring tensions and key heights, and is spotless inside and out! It includes a Protec case and Yamaha 4C mouthpiece and ligature which are both in good used condition. 

SOLD - 1954 Buescher Aristocrat Tenor, Maine Saxes Overhaul, New Hiscox Case

This is what they call the "Model 156", identical to the "Big B" from a few years earlier, just with different engraving. My own personal tenor is a 1949 Aristocrat and I still have yet to find a better-sounding tenor at any price. Not only are these horns the best value for a vintage saxophone but the tone and tuning are impeccable and the action is very light and comfortable. I seek out these horns in particular because I absolutely love them and I find that people who have never played a good Buescher are consistently thrilled with the sound when they try them. I just did a complete overhaul on it and it's playing just like my own Big B. This is the original finish and it looks gorgeous. All original snap-on resonators and gold-plated Norton springs are intact. I'm pairing it with a brand new Hiscox case which fits like a glove. Give me a call if you have any questions about this beauty! 

SOLD - 1935 Conn 10M #265xxx, Rolled Tone Holes, Ex. Condition, Maine Saxes Overhaul

Here's a gorgeous 10M from the "golden era" that everyone is looking for right now, serial #265xxx. This one is actually from the first year of manufacture for the 10M. I did a complete overhaul with very expensive solid brass reusable resonators and my favorite Pisoni pads. It's playing at 100% and sounds just how you would want it to sound - fat, full, and complex with very little resistance and tons of flexibility. If you've been chasing that early Dexter Gordon sound, you won't be able to get there without one of these! The horn is in really excellent condition with no signs of heavy damage. I suspect the horn was relacquered but I'm not 100% certain which means to me that if it was, it was done very well. The engraving is still very present and not buffed out but it does appear to be a little filled-in with lacquer. The tint is correct and it was clearly not over-buffed. The price does not include a case but I have some good new modern cases available. This is a great opportunity to get one of the best classic American tenors in perfect playing condition. 

SOLD - Yamaha YTS-23 Made in Japan, Maine Saxes Overhaul, Excellent!

The Yamaha 23 is still the best inexpensive saxophone you can buy and this one is from the earlier days when they were still made in Japan under very high quality control with very strong, stiff keys. I gave this a complete overhaul so it plays better than brand new. It has all new pads, corks, felts, carefully leveled tone holes and pad cups, straight and tight key-work, perfect spring tensions and key heights, and is spotless inside and out! Check out the new prices for these (now made in China and with much softer brass) and you'll see that this is a steal. This one includes the original hardshell case. 

SOLD - 1972 King Super 20, Maine Saxes Overhaul

Here is the perfect opportunity to get that King thing without spending an arm and a leg on one of the early "Full pearls" models. This horn has obviously been played A LOT over the years and seen a lot of stage time but it has a new lease on life and is ready for several more decades of playing. I just finished a complete overhaul which included completely rebuilding the neck, removing lots of dents, re-fitting and straightening all of the keys and posts, making 3 new hinge rods, leveling all of the tone holes and pad cups, re-fitting the neck tenon to the body, and of course replacing every pad, cork, and felt. It plays better than new but it still looks totally legit and road-worn because I didn't re-lacquer or strip it, just lots of hand polishing and cleaning. It has black Kangaroo pads and flat nickel-plated brass resonators. This Super 20 plays with tons of power and a wide open sound with flexibility and the key-work is extremely comfortable, light, and fast. This price does not include a case so if you don't have one that fits, I highly recommend a new Hiscox Pro-II which I have available here for $329 and it fits perfectly and is super protective. 

SOLD - 1968 Selmer Mark VI Tenor #156,XXX, Original Lacquer

I just did about $300 worth of work on this VI and it's playing quite well. There was a neck pull-down that was repaired well and some typical dents in the bow and bell that are mostly smoothed out. This horn has the typical wear and tear of a well-loved player's horn but has no signs of major damage and plays really well. It comes with the original case which is in similar condition. 

SOLD - 1960 "The Martin" Committee III Tenor, Maine Saxes Overhaul

Wow, this Martin came out really great and has a very big and powerful sound. It has lots of punch and character and can be pushed really hard but also has one of the most lush and beautiful ballad tones I've experienced. I did a complete overhaul on it with black kangaroo leather pads and seamless flat nickel-plated brass resonators. I re-soldered two tone holes and two posts and lifted a few dents in addition to my usual overhaul process. The lacquer appears to be original and I see no signs of buffing. The engraving is very clear and beautiful. It includes the original case although I would recommend a good modern case like a Hiscox which I have available here. This is one of the great classic American tenors and it's playing at 100% right now and includes my one-year overhaul warranty. 

SOLD - 1960 King Super 20, Maine Saxes Overhaul

This is from the "Early Eastlake" period, circa 1969, serial number 450,XXX. It has the original lacquer which is about 80% present. This classic American tenor has probably the most powerful and punchy sound of any tenor I've ever played. This is a real player's horn and I've just given it a complete overhaul worth about $1500 so it's in top playing condition. It has the original case which is in very rough condition so you'll want to budget for a new case. I recommend the Hiscox Pro-II which I have in stock for $329. 

SOLD - Viking M60 "Valkyrie"

This lightly used Viking is in excellent playing condition and is gig-ready. The finish is nearly flawless and has that really gorgeous dark gold lacquer. This model has the two-piece bell key guards like a Balanced Action. I think this is a great value for someone looking for a gig-ready horn without spending an arm and a leg. It includes the original hardshell molded case which is in mint condition. 

SOLD - P. Mauriat "System 76" Mint Condition, Original Case 

This Mauriat is barely used, sounds great and is gig-ready. This is a really nice sounding tenor for not a ton of money. Fat sound, easy to play, tunes well, looks great. 

SOLD - P. Mauriat 66SS Satin Silver 

I just replaced the low Eb pad and made a few setup adjustments and this Mauriat is gig-ready. It is in excellent condition and includes the original case. 

SOLD - Selmer Super Action 80 Series III Tenor, Maine Saxes Overhaul 

The Series III is easily one of the finest modern tenors and I just gave this one a complete overhaul so it's playing as well as any modern Selmer you will find. These are very popular horns with both classical and jazz/commercial players and have fantastic tuning and the action is impeccable when properly setup as this one is now. The big retailers are selling these for almost $9000 and I can assure you that this one plays as well or better than any new Series III because I've spent a full week making sure everything is just right! This one comes with a molded SKB case and my usual one year warranty that I include with every overhaul. 

SOLD - 1937 Buescher Aristocrat Tenor, Maine Saxes Overhaul, New Hiscox Case

These early Aristocrats are some of the sweetest-sounding tenors out there. This one appears to have been relacquered a long time ago. Whoever did it did a very good job and the tint is almost an exact match for the original which suggests to me that it may be a factory job but there's no way to tell for sure. Because it was relacquered, it will cost you less than a original finish example but it plays as well as any Aristocrat out there. It still has every original snap-on resonator and gold plated Norton spring. I gave it a complete overhaul and I'm including a brand new Hiscox Pro II case so it's ready to take to the gig.  

SOLD - Cannonball "Raven" Big Bell Stone Series, Mint Condition, Two Necks

I just finished doing a full Annual Service on this horn so it's gig-ready and looks brand new. I disassembled, cleaned, changed the oil, adjusted all spring tensions, replaced two pads and regulated all of the keywork. This horn has low miles and is playing better than the day it left the factory so this is a great opportunity to get a better-than-new Cannonball at about $1200-1400 less than the new price. 

SOLD - 1999 Yanagisawa T900 Tenor, Maine Saxes Overhaul

I just finished a complete overhaul on this gorgeous Yani tenor with premium brown Kangaroo pads and nylon resonators and it's playing fantastic! These are some of the finest modern saxophones you will find and I would say they offer the best design and craftsmanship. They really get all of the little details just right and the design really shows that a lot of thought went into it. Even though Yanagisawa makes more expensive models, this is a professional instrument in every respect and it even has a few bells and whistles that a lot of other pro horns don't have, like the F/F# helper arm, real mother of pearls, and the fantastic Teflon-lined octave mechanism which is the best I've seen. It plays fantastic and effortless - focused, colorful, and centered. It includes the original hardshell case and mouthpiece, cap, and ligature. 

SOLD - 1937 Buescher Aristocrat "Art Deco" Tenor 

This is one gorgeous tenor and it sounds amazing - very full, focused, and rich. It's most likely a factory re-lacquer. I'm not 100% positive that it's not original but I'm pricing it as if it were a factory relacquer because I'm fairly sure it is. This one is very hard to tell. Most of the pads are pretty old except for the 4 I replaced but everything is covering well and I made sure it was in good adjustment. This is in 100% playing condition but I think most pros would probably want to have it overhauled in the next few years because the pads are pretty old so I have priced it accordingly. It still has all of the original gold-plated Norton Springs. It comes with an old hardshell King case that fits well. 

SOLD - 1948 Buescher Aristocrat "Big B" Tenor Fresh Overhaul 

This is just like my own personal tenor except one year older and in a bit nicer condition! I just finished a complete overhaul and it's playing like crazy. If you've never played a proper Buescher in top playing condition, you owe it to yourself to come try this out. It has all of the original snap-on resonators and gold Norton springs and original lacquer. I would have charged around $1300-1400 for the overhaul I just did on this horn. You won't find one that plays better. 
$2900 includes a non-original hardshell case and one-year warrantee on the overhaul.

SOLD - Keilwerth SX90 Tenor, Black Nickel Plated, Excellent Condition 

This beautiful tenor just received a $300 service and is in 100% playing condition and includes a one-year warranty from me. I did a full disassemble, clean, oil change,  setup, and replaced four pads and it's playing great. There are no dents or other damage and the finish is around 85-90%. If you've never played one of these before, I would describe it as free-blowing, big, and round, with a bit of edge when pushed. It comes with a ProTec XL case that's in good condition. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a top-of-the-line professional German-made tenor for less than half of what they cost brand new and since it's just been serviced, I can guarantee it's in 100% playing condition, super clean, and ready to gig right now. 

SOLD - Cannonball Gerald Albright Model Tenor With 3 necks and Original Case

This has been my own personal tenor for the last three years and as you might imagine, I've taken great care of it. It is in excellent condition and I just gave it a full disassemble, clean, oil change, and setup. There are no dents or any other damage and it's super clean. It includes 3 necks - black nickel plated traditional neck, polished silver Fat Neck, and matte silver Fat Neck. This great horn is in 100% playing condition and needs nothing. 
The horn's finish is part silver-plate and part black nickel-plate. It really plays great - very comfortable keywork, great tuning, powerful sound, very big with lots of harmonics.