danasgoodstuff Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 As I may have mentioned previously, i am the proud owner of two c-melody saxophones--a Conn and a King. I even play them occaisionally (ok, several times/week for a total of maybe 2-3 hr/wk). Can't say I play 'well' by any definition but I do enjoy them. Now I see a Buescher c-melody in a local shop, not restored, like new! Big deal you say? This is a pre-WWII horn and it looks like it's never been played. So am I insane for wanting to spend $600 to get it? I know I'll have to sell at least one of my other horns to afford/justify it...so, what do you say fellow sax maniacs? Quote
scottb Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 I've been thinking about getting a sax lately. What did you say the name of that shop was that had the Buescher? Quote
BERIGAN Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 As I may have mentioned previously, i am the proud owner of two c-melody saxophones--a Conn and a King. I even play them occaisionally (ok, several times/week for a total of maybe 2-3 hr/wk). Can't say I play 'well' by any definition but I do enjoy them. Now I see a Buescher c-melody in a local shop, not restored, like new! Big deal you say? This is a pre-WWII horn and it looks like it's never been played. So am I insane for wanting to spend $600 to get it? I know I'll have to sell at least one of my other horns to afford/justify it...so, what do you say fellow sax maniacs? You know, I don't know jack about the value of C-melody saxes, but should be worth more than that in good condition, right??? It is an investment then! Quote
BERIGAN Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 (edited) Gosh, I take it back..why are really old saxes not worth more??? edit...bastards at ebay won't let you even post a link to auctions anymore! Edited March 17, 2004 by BERIGAN Quote
wesbed Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 As I may have mentioned previously, i am the proud owner of two c-melody saxophones--a Conn and a King. I even play them occaisionally (ok, several times/week for a total of maybe 2-3 hr/wk). Can't say I play 'well' by any definition but I do enjoy them. Now I see a Buescher c-melody in a local shop, not restored, like new! Big deal you say? This is a pre-WWII horn and it looks like it's never been played. So am I insane for wanting to spend $600 to get it? I know I'll have to sell at least one of my other horns to afford/justify it...so, what do you say fellow sax maniacs? Errr... save your money on the c-melody and buy Mosaic box sets instead? Quote
mikeweil Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 I'd say try it if possible, and if you like it, go for it and trade in or sell the lesser of your two other horns. Quote
BeBop Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 I picked up my 1927 C-Melody for $30. Passed on two that were $25. (This was at a major music shop.) In general, I don't thing the C horns are all that desireable as collectors items. James Carter and Branford Marsalis (I think) have made them a bit more acceptable as player horns, though, by and large they are constructed out-of-tune. Quote
BERIGAN Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 I picked up my 1927 C-Melody for $30. Passed on two that were $25. (This was at a major music shop.) In general, I don't thing the C horns are all that desireable as collectors items. James Carter and Branford Marsalis (I think) have made them a bit more acceptable as player horns, though, by and large they are constructed out-of-tune. Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANY time I am in pawn stores, or music shops...junk is $500-1000, perhaps I need to dig deeper in ATL, I would love to mess with a cheap C... Quote
7/4 Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 (edited) though, by and large they are constructed out-of-tune. They are? ...and....how are they out of tune? Edited March 17, 2004 by 7/4 Quote
BeBop Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 The horns I've played - about four different C-Melodys - have been challenging to keep in tune. For instance, the lower and upper "G" are not always an octave apart. Alternate fingerings of the same note (e.g., Bb bis) result in significant pitch variation. I don't have the chops to 'lip up' the pitch on selected notes. On the other hand, no transposition! Quote
7/4 Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 The horns I've played - about four different C-Melodys - have been challenging to keep in tune. For instance, the lower and upper "G" are not always an octave apart. Alternate fingerings of the same note (e.g., Bb bis) result in significant pitch variation. I don't have the chops to 'lip up' the pitch on selected notes. On the other hand, no transposition! Interesting. Thanks for the info. Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted March 17, 2004 Author Report Posted March 17, 2004 (edited) There is nothing inherently wrong with c-melodies--all other things being equal a Conn, King, Buescher or other name brand professional model C should play as well as the same make/model tenor or alto of the same vintage. BUT we are talking about horns made in the 1920s (mostly) so you have a lot of wear and tear to take into account, not to mention the effects on intonation of using modern alto or tenor mouthpieces (vintage mouthpieces are too 'stuffy' for most player's tates). Although prices have risen as demand rises to meet a set stock of old horns, they are still cheaper than comparable altos and tenors, even when mint, and aften way cheap when in need of major repairs (which can run far more than initial purchase price). The sticking point for me is that I have house repairs that need to be done but which I can't be sure of the cost depending on what they find re water damage so I don't really know if I can afford it. Not like that usually stops me from spending $! Oh, and thanks for the input everyone! Edited March 17, 2004 by danasgoodstuff Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted March 20, 2004 Author Report Posted March 20, 2004 OK, so I went and played it yesterday and it wasn't all that. It was shiny and generally in nice shape but it just didn't feel as solid as my Conn or King. It's serial # is 133370, I'll have to see if I can find a ref for Buescher, but I suspect it's 30s or later 'cause the keywork is more modern than the '20s horns I've played. So I think I'll pass. If anyone else is interested it's at The Music House at approximately 60th & NE Glisan in Portland, they have web site which a Google search should find pretty easily. Thanx again for the input & letting think 'out loud' here. Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted March 20, 2004 Author Report Posted March 20, 2004 Ooops! I checked several serial number lists for Buescher on the web and they all say 1923, so what do I know! Quote
BERIGAN Posted March 23, 2004 Report Posted March 23, 2004 Ooops! I checked several serial number lists for Buescher on the web and they all say 1923, so what do I know! Claim Frankie Trumbauer played it , and sell it for thousands! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted February 11, 2006 Report Posted February 11, 2006 They are crazy! Some nice noises, though. Hearing various minor chords reminded me of a piece Yehudi Menuhin published in the British press a few years back, complaining that ambulance sirens should surely oscillate between notes a major, rather than the customary minor, third apart. Quote
Guest Posted March 29, 2006 Report Posted March 29, 2006 From what I've heard it's not so much that C Melody saxes are out of tune. It used to be a VERY popular music instrument. More so than the guitar! So...many cheap ones were built. There are good ones to be had. Another problem is getting a proper mouthpiece. Finding a repairman who knows how set up the horn. Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.