Sunseed Music

In buying a used saxophone, the buyer must think about a number of things which emphasize the value of the price or amount paid in addition to the intended use for which the saxophone is purchased. 

There are typically four types of saxophones available. The soprano saxophone, which has the highest pitch among the other saxophones, is believed to be most user “unfriendly and is the most difficult to play.  That being said, beginners are suggested to avoid purchasing a soprano saxophone for practice.  The alto saxophone is recommended as the best practice saxophone for beginners and is usually used in school bands.  The third, the tenor saxophone is perfect for jazz tunes as well as some rock music.    The baritone saxophone is the most massive and is very heavy, so thos who play the “barry” will have to wear some harness to support the instrument while playing. 

An individual who is considering a used saxophone may first have in mind the use for which the instrument is to be purchased.  If he intends to rehearse and play the instrument as a beginner, then the alto saxophone may be the best choice.  It is therefore important to remember that it should not be the case that just because the used saxophone is bought at a very affordable rate one may already rush in and purchase the instrument.  He may have the saxophone at the best price, but it will not be worth the time and investment if he cannot make the best use of the instrument because it does not best serve his purpose.  Simply put, it is not a good choice for a beginner to buy a soprano saxophone even if the price is reasonably low.  Therefore, being picky about the types of saxophone and in accordance with the use and reason for buying the instrument is always a good start in buying a used saxophone. 

Second is to consider the price.  Although used saxophones are given to be less expensive than new ones, an extremely cheap saxophone might suggest the instrument’s poor and/or unflattering quality – though not necessarily.  Nevertheless, used saxophones could also be priced only slightly lower than the price for other brand new saxophones.  This may be due to several factors: the saxophone’s high quality, brand, make and model.  Thus even at that price, the used saxophone may still be worth buying.  This implies that buying a used saxophone also entails a consideration of the brand, make and model of the instrument. 

Most importantly, in buying a used saxophone, one must never hesitate to ask questions about the saxophone.  It is advisable to ask as many questions as one can pertain to the “history” of the saxophone such as: how was it used in the past?  How often was it used?  Had it even been repaired?  When was the last time it had been repaired?  How long has it been since it was first purchased?  Questions like these will help a person decide whether or not he is amenable to buying a used saxophone.  One may also inquire why the saxophone is being sold.

In conclusion, it is wise to play the saxophone first to test first-hand the sound, the tone, and the quality of the instrument before entering into the deal of buying the instrument.  In case one is a beginner and does not yet know what to listen for, bringing someone along who knows the things to look and listen for in a quality instrument would be a good idea.