Buying a Saxophone: New vs. Vintage

This is a topic that comes up quite often in my conversations with sax enthusiasts of all ages. Very recently on a visit to a local music shop, the woodwind specialist "James" and I became caught up in a discussion about our favorite saxophones. James' prized horns ranged from an old Selmer Bundy that he began playing on in grade school, to the Yamaha Custom 82z, Keilwerth Sx 90, and the 'ole Buescher 400 (top hat 'n' cane). My personal favorites are the Yamaha 82z, Selmer Reference 54, and the Conn 6M (naked lady). Not once during the conversation did the name "Mark VI" come about, which is surprising given this Selmer Paris classic's popularity among the saxophone community. The constantly appreciating price of the Mark VI's seem to have garnered them the prestige of an untouchable collector's model; not to be played, but rather preserved and displayed.

I have carried extensive saxophone collections with me over the years. I say "collection(s)" plural because I've bought, traded and sold just about every make and model of saxophone - and of course managed to play quite a few while in my possession. Vintage saxes definitely hold a particular charm in character that tends to be a bit more distinguishable from horn to horn. Many of them are on the heavier side, a bit harder to control in the tone and much darker and/or stuffier than modern makes. Chances are, any used saxophone you come across is going to need adjustments and miscellaneous repair to be in tip-top shape. For those who absolutely adore the saxophone, as do I, there is certainly no bar set on how many vintage beauties one can and should scrounge up purely for love of the instrument. Though in more practical terms of seeking a good playing sax that is durable and gig ready, buying new is definitely a safe bet. Today's saxophones are generally machine made, which sounds less appealing than "handcrafted," though consider the accuracy of computerized specifications and consistency over a pair of human hands.