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C Melody Saxophone Forum / C-Tenor (C-Melody) Saxophones / Looking for a C-Mel

Next 20 Messages Newest 20 Messages

Toxic Oreo
User ID: 8785553 Feb 27th 2:15 PM
I am a young saxophone collector of sorts and I am looking for a c-mel to add to my ranks. I already have 3 vintage horns that I gig with and am looking for a different sound, something more laid back for use in both an old school blues band and in a couple local jazz ensembles. Ebay is not helping me in the least as the only listed c-mels are sniped from me within the final few minutes of the auction (I just lost a buescher by $5 with 5 seconds left on the auction). The only catch is I don't have a ton of money, and want a functioning horn. Any places other than local pawn shops and Ebay on where to find this ever elusive horn?

Jungle Jim
User ID: 0262034 Feb 27th 3:20 PM
Toxic Oreo - Ebay is the BEST place to locate a C melody saxophone. How much are you actually prepared to spend?

Jungle Jim
User ID: 0262034 Feb 27th 3:30 PM
Toxic Oreo - The trick to bidding on Ebay is putting the maximum amount you are prepared to spend. It will be bid in increments until the end of the auction. That way tou don't have to sit at the computer with baited bteath hoping that no one will bid higher than you,
. Ebay does it for you. It always worked for me. you cant start with some paltry bid and sit there all night playing ping pong with a bunch of bidders. Put the MOST amount you are willing tp spend right off the bat.

Toxic Oreo
User ID: 8785553 Feb 27th 6:34 PM
I know how ebay works...I have used it many other times in order to get other items.

I am trying to spend $500 tops.

Jungle Jim
User ID: 9182423 Feb 27th 7:47 PM
You should be able to easily get a good horn for between $300.00 and #500.00 with no sweat.

alan (uk)
User ID: 8200143 Feb 27th 8:04 PM
yes, $500 should (in theory) get a good 'un, but Toxic did say "functioning" - and that's never a guarantee with ebay..........

Toxic Oreo
User ID: 1704034 Feb 28th 6:38 AM
Every good condition cmel has been going well over $500 on ebay as of late.

I have 8 hours to decide if a Buescher is worth it. Had a recondition 4 years ago, got a guarantee from the seller that it is ready to roar out of the box. Should I drop $600 on this?

Jim B
User ID: 1913054 Feb 28th 7:18 AM
If you live in the USA a good place to look is at an antique store. Say Hi to the people behind the counter and tell them what you are looking for. Tell them a Conn C melody with straight neck; but will settle for a Buescher. There are many C mel instruments around by private owners that never go to pawn shops or ebay.Since I never buy before I try I never go ebay. If you live outside USA, ebay is only game in town. Best time to bid is within 2 weeks of Christmas when you could not get the instrument by Christmas AND everyone is too busy for ebay.In the USA $500 is too much for a C mel since you have to put in $300-400 in new pads. Only get a C melody if it has all the keys and parts.Another source are old farmers who were in High School band in the 1920s. Talk to senior groups of people. The Conn C mels I got were in the $100 range mostly(2),one Conn with new pads for $300 and a buescher for $325(too much). The Buescher was my first money mistake; don't buy from a musician. While the Buescher need no new pads, it lacked the more modern key feel compared to the Conn. By modern feel I use the words loosely since 1920s instruments do not feel in my hands like my 1967 Mark VI alto.

ukebert
User ID: 7921973 Feb 28th 11:09 AM
You should be able to get a almost perfect c mel that needs a repad for about $150-300. Fully functioning ones are rare though, so don't give up, keep a good look out, and remember that if you're nearing the end of an auction, putting in a large final bid in the last minute or so will pretty much guarentee you the item.

Toxic Oreo
User ID: 8785553 Feb 28th 12:42 PM
Well, 2 hours flat left and I am winning by $75.

If you can't tell, I really want to join the ranks of the proud C-Mel players out there. There is just something haunting about the tone that I cannot get over.

Plus, the horn I am lusting after is absolutely gorgeous. I'm a sucker for vintage.

ukebert
User ID: 7921973 Feb 28th 1:57 PM
Good good, good luck!

Toxic Oreo
User ID: 1704034 Feb 28th 2:04 PM
My Aquilasax metalpro 7 came in today, along with a box of reeds.

Could this be fated?

Toxic Oreo
User ID: 1704034 Feb 28th 2:43 PM
Apparently not.

I got sniped with 10 seconds left, $10 over my set maximum.

Dammit, I hate ebay.

So....know anywhere else I can pick up a good horn?

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Feb 28th 3:07 PM
Toxic.
All that means is that your maximum was too low. If you really mean it then put in a high maximum. Nothing wrong with sniping; I always do it simply to leave your opponent with insufficient time to change their mind and raise their maximum.
No good bleating, it's simply that you either ran out of courage, money or conviction.
You say that it went for $10 over your set maximum, but, with respect, the final price depended upon your opponent's set maximum...had there been a third bidder then it could have been sold for $100 over your set maximum.
Ebay is a gambling game.. I once sold a sound, repadded but very ordinary nickel plated King C tenor for Ł780 on ebay. This still remains, I believe, the highest price ever on ebay for a C tenor. It was presented well and two women really wanted it just before Christmas as a present for their husbands. Ironically, neither could play but they wanted a poseur's decoration for their warehouse flats.
A tip if I may...look very carefully at the listings which appear to be badly presented; this could either be a con or general ignorance of the product. I once bought a gold plated C tenor with every touch key pearled from America. The owner apparently thought that all saxophones were like that and thought it not worth mentioning...bad fuzzy photograph too, which helped.
Do not give up Toxic, they are out there somewhere and ebay is your best bet. Also try to be patient...best of luck.

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Feb 28th 3:15 PM
Toxic.
Also type in saxAphone or any other mis-spelling of saxophone...surprising what you find occasionally. Usually, if they know nothing about saxophones then they cannot spell it either.
One caveat however...some of the unscrupulous deliberately photograph mis-spelt horns with, typically, the mouthpiece upside down to give the impression that they know nothing. Some even have the crook the wrong way around...ie. the double ebay position. :-) Again, best of luck.

Toxic Oreo
User ID: 1704034 Feb 28th 3:42 PM
I just wasn't supposed to have a Buescher. It took me 2 years to get both of my current horns and there is nothing I would do to change the ones I got. I'll just keep my eyes open and one will come along.

Who knows...maybe someone around here could help directly...heh.

Still kinda pissed that I have to sit on my shiny new Aquilasax mpc. I bet that thing ROARS.

ukebert
User ID: 7921973 Mar 1st 11:33 AM
Well my plastic one is surprisingly good, I want to try out the metal one soon.

Bb, Ł780, when the Impala went for Ł410 or so? Wow.

Private sellers tend offer a fair price, i.e. well above your limit. Check out Alan's site, I'm sure he's got a few fixers for sale if you fancy doing a repad :-)

I paid Ł200 for my first Cmel on ebay, which was too much, but I wa inexperienced and didn't really know what I was doing. I do now (I hope). My project I bought for about Ł80 less, but the body is very nearly pristine. Only light tarnish and one bent key, and no usable pads...

Paul (UK)
User ID: 9502963 Mar 1st 12:27 PM
I'll be listing a fully re-padded, sprung, and corked Lyon & Healy Buescher stencil in the next day or so which really is in great ready to play shape but postage frm the UK may be prohibitive.

Toxic Oreo
User ID: 8785553 Mar 1st 8:46 PM
What would a good price for this horn be:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180089281070&rd=1&rd=1

alan (uk)
User ID: 8200143 Mar 2nd 10:26 AM
Hard question - dealers like Charles Fail sell refurbed C-Mels, often for less than a grand, and you have all the benefits of dealing with a 'dealer'.

I can't criticise the seller, although I have a feeling there's something familiar about him. I did ask him for copies of his two C-Mel guides, which he supplied, when he was selling another C-Mel, and he seems genuine enough. Bit slap-happy to include a picture of a different C-mel in the listing.... (the sax in the case has a curved neck - Ooops !)

He talks about an "$850 Job" - I wouldn't want to spend that much.

Next 20 Messages Newest 20 Messages

Toxic Oreo User ID: 8785553	Feb 27th 2:15 PM I am a young saxophone collector of sorts and I am looking for a c-mel to add to my ranks. I already have 3 vintage horns that I gig with and am looking for a different sound, something more laid back for use in both an old school blues band and in a couple local jazz ensembles. Ebay is not helping me in the least as the only listed c-mels are sniped from me within the final few minutes of the auction (I just lost a buescher by $5 with 5 seconds left on the auction). The only catch is I don't have a ton of money, and want a functioning horn. Any places other than local pawn shops and Ebay on where to find this ever elusive horn?
Jungle Jim User ID: 0262034	Feb 27th 3:20 PM Toxic Oreo - Ebay is the BEST place to locate a C melody saxophone. How much are you actually prepared to spend?
Jungle Jim User ID: 0262034	Feb 27th 3:30 PM Toxic Oreo - The trick to bidding on Ebay is putting the maximum amount you are prepared to spend. It will be bid in increments until the end of the auction. That way tou don't have to sit at the computer with baited bteath hoping that no one will bid higher than you, . Ebay does it for you. It always worked for me. you cant start with some paltry bid and sit there all night playing ping pong with a bunch of bidders. Put the MOST amount you are willing tp spend right off the bat.
Toxic Oreo User ID: 8785553	Feb 27th 6:34 PM I know how ebay works...I have used it many other times in order to get other items. I am trying to spend $500 tops.
Jungle Jim User ID: 9182423	Feb 27th 7:47 PM You should be able to easily get a good horn for between $300.00 and #500.00 with no sweat.
alan (uk) User ID: 8200143	Feb 27th 8:04 PM yes, $500 should (in theory) get a good 'un, but Toxic did say "functioning" - and that's never a guarantee with ebay..........
Toxic Oreo User ID: 1704034	Feb 28th 6:38 AM Every good condition cmel has been going well over $500 on ebay as of late. I have 8 hours to decide if a Buescher is worth it. Had a recondition 4 years ago, got a guarantee from the seller that it is ready to roar out of the box. Should I drop $600 on this?
Jim B User ID: 1913054	Feb 28th 7:18 AM If you live in the USA a good place to look is at an antique store. Say Hi to the people behind the counter and tell them what you are looking for. Tell them a Conn C melody with straight neck; but will settle for a Buescher. There are many C mel instruments around by private owners that never go to pawn shops or ebay.Since I never buy before I try I never go ebay. If you live outside USA, ebay is only game in town. Best time to bid is within 2 weeks of Christmas when you could not get the instrument by Christmas AND everyone is too busy for ebay.In the USA $500 is too much for a C mel since you have to put in $300-400 in new pads. Only get a C melody if it has all the keys and parts.Another source are old farmers who were in High School band in the 1920s. Talk to senior groups of people. The Conn C mels I got were in the $100 range mostly(2),one Conn with new pads for $300 and a buescher for $325(too much). The Buescher was my first money mistake; don't buy from a musician. While the Buescher need no new pads, it lacked the more modern key feel compared to the Conn. By modern feel I use the words loosely since 1920s instruments do not feel in my hands like my 1967 Mark VI alto.
ukebert User ID: 7921973	Feb 28th 11:09 AM You should be able to get a almost perfect c mel that needs a repad for about $150-300. Fully functioning ones are rare though, so don't give up, keep a good look out, and remember that if you're nearing the end of an auction, putting in a large final bid in the last minute or so will pretty much guarentee you the item.
Toxic Oreo User ID: 8785553	Feb 28th 12:42 PM Well, 2 hours flat left and I am winning by $75. If you can't tell, I really want to join the ranks of the proud C-Mel players out there. There is just something haunting about the tone that I cannot get over. Plus, the horn I am lusting after is absolutely gorgeous. I'm a sucker for vintage.
ukebert User ID: 7921973	Feb 28th 1:57 PM Good good, good luck!
Toxic Oreo User ID: 1704034	Feb 28th 2:04 PM My Aquilasax metalpro 7 came in today, along with a box of reeds. Could this be fated?
Toxic Oreo User ID: 1704034	Feb 28th 2:43 PM Apparently not. I got sniped with 10 seconds left, $10 over my set maximum. Dammit, I hate ebay. So....know anywhere else I can pick up a good horn?
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Feb 28th 3:07 PM Toxic. All that means is that your maximum was too low. If you really mean it then put in a high maximum. Nothing wrong with sniping; I always do it simply to leave your opponent with insufficient time to change their mind and raise their maximum. No good bleating, it's simply that you either ran out of courage, money or conviction. You say that it went for $10 over your set maximum, but, with respect, the final price depended upon your opponent's set maximum...had there been a third bidder then it could have been sold for $100 over your set maximum. Ebay is a gambling game.. I once sold a sound, repadded but very ordinary nickel plated King C tenor for Ł780 on ebay. This still remains, I believe, the highest price ever on ebay for a C tenor. It was presented well and two women really wanted it just before Christmas as a present for their husbands. Ironically, neither could play but they wanted a poseur's decoration for their warehouse flats. A tip if I may...look very carefully at the listings which appear to be badly presented; this could either be a con or general ignorance of the product. I once bought a gold plated C tenor with every touch key pearled from America. The owner apparently thought that all saxophones were like that and thought it not worth mentioning...bad fuzzy photograph too, which helped. Do not give up Toxic, they are out there somewhere and ebay is your best bet. Also try to be patient...best of luck.
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Feb 28th 3:15 PM Toxic. Also type in saxAphone or any other mis-spelling of saxophone...surprising what you find occasionally. Usually, if they know nothing about saxophones then they cannot spell it either. One caveat however...some of the unscrupulous deliberately photograph mis-spelt horns with, typically, the mouthpiece upside down to give the impression that they know nothing. Some even have the crook the wrong way around...ie. the double ebay position. :-) Again, best of luck.
Toxic Oreo User ID: 1704034	Feb 28th 3:42 PM I just wasn't supposed to have a Buescher. It took me 2 years to get both of my current horns and there is nothing I would do to change the ones I got. I'll just keep my eyes open and one will come along. Who knows...maybe someone around here could help directly...heh. Still kinda pissed that I have to sit on my shiny new Aquilasax mpc. I bet that thing ROARS.
ukebert User ID: 7921973	Mar 1st 11:33 AM Well my plastic one is surprisingly good, I want to try out the metal one soon. Bb, Ł780, when the Impala went for Ł410 or so? Wow. Private sellers tend offer a fair price, i.e. well above your limit. Check out Alan's site, I'm sure he's got a few fixers for sale if you fancy doing a repad :-) I paid Ł200 for my first Cmel on ebay, which was too much, but I wa inexperienced and didn't really know what I was doing. I do now (I hope). My project I bought for about Ł80 less, but the body is very nearly pristine. Only light tarnish and one bent key, and no usable pads...
Paul (UK) User ID: 9502963	Mar 1st 12:27 PM I'll be listing a fully re-padded, sprung, and corked Lyon & Healy Buescher stencil in the next day or so which really is in great ready to play shape but postage frm the UK may be prohibitive.
Toxic Oreo User ID: 8785553	Mar 1st 8:46 PM What would a good price for this horn be: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180089281070&rd=1&rd=1
alan (uk) User ID: 8200143	Mar 2nd 10:26 AM Hard question - dealers like Charles Fail sell refurbed C-Mels, often for less than a grand, and you have all the benefits of dealing with a 'dealer'. I can't criticise the seller, although I have a feeling there's something familiar about him. I did ask him for copies of his two C-Mel guides, which he supplied, when he was selling another C-Mel, and he seems genuine enough. Bit slap-happy to include a picture of a different C-mel in the listing.... (the sax in the case has a curved neck - Ooops !) He talks about an "$850 Job" - I wouldn't want to spend that much.