The preferred places to start looking for a saxophone allow you to actually play the instrument or have someone play it for you. If you are interested in more selection than is available locally, it is highly recommended that you find a national shop or dealer that allows you a period of time to try the saxophone out. I will detail some of the major places to look for a saxophone and some of the issues involved with each type of purchasing location.
The Newspaper
The newspaper is the single best place to look for local, cheap, used horns. I have gotten some great deals through the paper. The only problem with the paper is that it can be a very fickle place to search. There are lots of other players and collectors watching that paper besides you. I have driven many miles to look at a horn, only to find it sold when I got there, or not at all as described. Also, horns sold through the paper are usually student models. You must know how to ask the right questions to determine this ahead of time. Sometimes people forget (sometimes on purpose) to tell you that it says "Bundy" after the "Selmer," or "Cleveland" after the "King." You may think it's a cream puff when it's really a lemon. You will get very good at telling people what to look for on the horn itself. The following is a sample dialogue of how I "interrogate" people over the phone who are selling horns that they know little about.
Jason: Hi, I'm calling about the sax you have advertised in the paper. Can you tell me more about it?
Seller: Well, what would you like to know? It's kinda gold looking.
Jason: Well, start by telling me exactly what it says on the bell...
Seller: It says "Made by something...." uh maybe Conn?
Jason: Okay, is it gold all over, or does it have silver rods?
Seller: It has gold-colored rods. Yeah, it's gold all over it.
Jason: Can you tell me what the engraving looks like? Are there flowers in a pattern around the writing on the bell?
Seller: Why yes... there are flowers all around the name, and they go down to the middle of the bell.
Jason: Okay, what is the serial number? It's located under the hook-shaped piece of metal located on the back side of the horn towards the bottom. It'll probably say something like "Pattented 1914" and have an A by it.
Seller: Yes, I see it. It says: 227104.
Jason: How long have you had the horn?
Seller: I bought it in high school in 1972 and it has been sitting in the case since then.
Jason: Does it have a round, serrated tuner mechanism on the neck?
Seller: No... it just comes out to a piece of cork.
Jason: Are you sure? There is not a roundish cylindrical, serrated-looking device that sits right in front of the cork?
Seller: Yes, I'm sure. It's actually the only part of the sax that has silver on it. It has a silver key on the neck, and it's slightly brighter finish than the rest of the horn.
Jason: Okay, well thank you very much for your time. I wish you luck in selling it.
What this conversation told me was that this Conn saxophone was a "New Wonder" model alto that had probably been relacquered and was missing the original neck. It also told me the date of manufacture and how long the owner had the saxophone. One could suppose that the horn was modified by the person who sold the horn to the seller in 1972.
This whole process may seem like 20 questions, but basic questions like the ones above can save you a lot of misery. Have your checklist handy when calling, and write down ALL of the answers.
The Music Store
This is usually the friendliest place to buy a sax. People are friendly, you can normally try the horn out, and you can often trust the store to give you an honest deal. The music store is a great place to shop because there is usually a mixture of old and new horns to choose from. Compare the feel of a new horn versus an older horn. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The music store can be a great place to learn. I learned a lot about used saxes the Summer I worked at a company called Wally's Music in Oregon City, Oregon. It was there where I learned the essentials of good sax repair and good business. They are always friendly and never consider a question too elemental. I also found out how bad Tarnex smells!
Music stores can also be dangerous for buyers that are uninformed. Music stores sometimes take advantage of the fact that they are businesses and fleece the unsuspecting or uninformed. First-time buyers can wind up paying a lot more than a horn is worth, especially in rent-to-own situations. Music stores are sometimes just as ignorant about saxophones as the uninformed buyer. This can either be good or bad, depending on if they charge more or less for their instruments. The more you know, the better equipped you are to do business with a music store.
The Pawn Shop
It is with some reservation that I bring up a pawn shop as a place to buy a saxophone. I recommend that you avoid purchasing from these kinds of stores unless you know at least a fair amount about saxophones already. Pawn shops are notorious for stolen and over-priced horns. However, if you know what you are looking at, they can also be a good place to find a bargain. Let your good judgment guide you when it comes to these businesses. As you learn more about horns, you will see these places for what they really are.
The Internet
The following sections will deal with purchasing a horn on-line in depth. Two words always apply with any on-line purchase... BE CAREFUL!
Mail Order
Mail order is the method in which most horns are sold on a national level. I suggest an extreme level of caution when buying horns from national dealers. Make SURE you ask all the questions before spending your hard-earned money. There are dealers out there who make a regular point of cheating customers. TJust be careful, and don't take unnecessary chances. If something seems "fishy," go with your gut and keep looking.