Thinking of buying a saxophone? For most people, the choice of saxophones available where they live is quite limited, especially if they have something specific in mind like a fine old Selmer or Conn. So naturally, people are going online to do their purchases -- millions of dollars' worth of saxophones are sold online every year, with the numbers increasing. If you have thought about buying a saxophone through the internet, you may have wondered if it is a safe thing to do. After all, there is a lot of trust involved. You can't play the sax until it is already yours!
The saxophone is not exactly a cheap instrument to buy, either. A vintage sax that has been sitting in an attic or (worse yet) a basement for many years is highly likely to need a complete overhaul, which will add an unknown amount but certainly hundreds of dollars to your total cost. Even if the pads look good to an untrained eye, old pads do not tend to last once you start playing. There are a variety of other concerns in evaluating an old sax as well -- the most basic being how the fingering feels.
Perhaps you are looking for a student saxophone for your son or daughter. You might think you would avoid the hassles of getting a used instrument and just buy a cheap new one. If that takes you into the realm of Chinese copies, beware. While some Chinese saxophones are not at all bad, in general it can be quite risky. A poorly made saxophone can discourage the student and may also show damage surprisingly soon. It won't hold its value as well as a more expensive known brand, either. This could be a factor in case your child decides to stop playing the sax after a short while.
So what's a person to do when looking for a sax on the internet? While most people are happy with their purchases, there are horror stories out there too. You can make sure you don't become one of them.
Essentially there are two main places to buy a saxophone online:
- Online stores which specialize in musical instruments
- EBay
At eBay, you can find just about everything: new or used, priceless vintage saxophones like the Selmer Mark VI to worthless junk... good serviceable horns for the hobby player to a sturdy alto or tenor sax for a middle school student. It's all there, and often the prices are real bargains. You can even find the once-discarded C Melody saxophone which is now making a minor comeback for specific uses.
And since eBay is called "the world's largest marketplace," you can also find all kinds of sellers there. The vast majority are honest, but be sure to check the seller's feedback very closely. And wherever you decide to buy a saxophone, online or off, at a store or an auction site, be sure to buy one which has a returns policy you find acceptable. You want to be able to play the sax a while, to consult a repair specialist if necessary, and to do these things while the rest of your life is taking up lots of time as it inevitably does. You want a returns policy that gives you enough time that you don't end up a horror story. You want a sax that will please you, your child, or whoever plays it. Provided that you do take care in your selection process, you can certainly end up with a satisfying saxophone which has a sound you like. (Well, maybe not during the first months of listening to a beginner practice!) That sound is what you are after; the music is what it is all about!
For tips (and warnings) about buying a good saxophone online, visit http://saxophonebargains.info/tips-warnings-buying-saxophones-online, which is at Rosie Hart's website, http://saxophonebargains.info There she offers descriptions of a variety of saxophones, along with further comments on where to buy and how to find a really good deal. Hart, a former reference librarian who loves to ferret out information and present it clearly, drew upon the knowledge of her husband Kelly as well, since he has played soprano, alto, and tenor sax for many years. This website also offers a service where you can get convenient access to information about what saxophones currently on eBay have just been listed.
Source: www.isnare.com
