Music enthusiasts and instrument collectors make a good target market for antique instruments. Many of these people are interested in vintage saxophones. To make sure you are getting a genuine antique sax, it is important to have information on how you can locate them and what you should be looking for.
One of the most common and possibly easiest ways to locate antique saxes is through the Internet. Similar to most other online purchases, you need to take extra precautions to protect yourself against scams. It can be hard to check if a sax is not counterfeit or has been appraised without documentation. For online shopping, you will need extra pictures of the sax for sale, the manufacturer, and year. You should also find out if there is a satisfaction guarantee or refund policy.
Make sure you know precisely what you are looking for. You need to be informed on what attributes a counterfeit sax would have and what a genuine one should look like. Saxes can vary from one year to the next. It is also important to learn the differences between alto and tenor saxes, not just in their appearances but also in their sounds.
Most vintage items, including saxes, are not used for a long time. Parts can become damaged, brittle, or even stuck. Whenever possible, physically examine the sax. Check for broken, missing, or damaged parts. Pay close attention to the keys, neck screw, and octave pin.
It is a good idea to comparison shop so that you have a general price range that is acceptable. You can contact other experts about a specific sax and the asking price to determine if it is reasonable. Some sellers may have an asking price that is much higher than what the sax is really worth. When in doubt, walk away from it.
The sellers you deal with should have experience. They should know a substantial amount about saxes, including the worth of particular models. Sellers should also be credible. A quick check with the Better Business Bureau can show you if there are consumer complaints, what the issues were, and if they were resolved satisfactorily.
Sellers should have licensing and some kind of certification from a related organization. While this is not applicable for an individual person, dealers should have a proper business license for sales. Always ask for licensing information and verify it. Do not settle for excuses or vague answers when you request this information.
Experienced instrument collectors have a huge advantage over beginners. They have the ability to quickly look at a sax and determine if it is a worthy purchase. Although you have to take more time to learn and shop around, it does not have to be a complete disaster. Make an effort to gather information before you start looking around.
One of the most common and possibly easiest ways to locate antique saxes is through the Internet. Similar to most other online purchases, you need to take extra precautions to protect yourself against scams. It can be hard to check if a sax is not counterfeit or has been appraised without documentation. For online shopping, you will need extra pictures of the sax for sale, the manufacturer, and year. You should also find out if there is a satisfaction guarantee or refund policy.
Make sure you know precisely what you are looking for. You need to be informed on what attributes a counterfeit sax would have and what a genuine one should look like. Saxes can vary from one year to the next. It is also important to learn the differences between alto and tenor saxes, not just in their appearances but also in their sounds.
Most vintage items, including saxes, are not used for a long time. Parts can become damaged, brittle, or even stuck. Whenever possible, physically examine the sax. Check for broken, missing, or damaged parts. Pay close attention to the keys, neck screw, and octave pin.
It is a good idea to comparison shop so that you have a general price range that is acceptable. You can contact other experts about a specific sax and the asking price to determine if it is reasonable. Some sellers may have an asking price that is much higher than what the sax is really worth. When in doubt, walk away from it.
The sellers you deal with should have experience. They should know a substantial amount about saxes, including the worth of particular models. Sellers should also be credible. A quick check with the Better Business Bureau can show you if there are consumer complaints, what the issues were, and if they were resolved satisfactorily.
Sellers should have licensing and some kind of certification from a related organization. While this is not applicable for an individual person, dealers should have a proper business license for sales. Always ask for licensing information and verify it. Do not settle for excuses or vague answers when you request this information.
Experienced instrument collectors have a huge advantage over beginners. They have the ability to quickly look at a sax and determine if it is a worthy purchase. Although you have to take more time to learn and shop around, it does not have to be a complete disaster. Make an effort to gather information before you start looking around.
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