C Melody Saxophone Forum

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C Melody Saxophone Forum / C-Tenor (C-Melody) Saxophones / C-melodies in Ireland?

Next 20 Messages Newest 20 Messages

Sam
User ID: 0331974 Oct 23rd 3:58 PM
Hello. I live in Ireland and I'm interested in getting a C-Melody Sax. I've got a very good reason, too. You see I play Irish music and I think it sounds great on my Jupiter alto (I only started 4 weeks ago). Anyway, almost all Irish music is in the key of D, and it's really hard to transpose on an E flat instrument, epecially with the spatula keys. So a C-mel Irish music would be ridiculously easy to play. So the point I'm getting to is, as I haven't a clue about restoring saxes, where's the best place to get on that works? (There's only one brass and woodwind shop in Ireland - http://www.paulryanmusic.com/)
Thanks
Sam

Jim B
User ID: 9454293 Oct 24th 8:25 PM
I might add that the C soprano might be a good choice. I tried C melody with folk music and a higher voice instrument might be a better choice. I did hear a C melody in a Klizmer band (Jewish folk music) in Prague once and it sounded good an octave lower than the lead instrument which was a trumpet. Since Ireland is only a short distance from the UK, maybe the UK people in this chatroom could fix you up with a buescher C melody or like instrument. I'm sure after you get the instrument your one shop you mentioned could do a good repadding job. The fingering like you mentioned would be identical to the D irish whistle with none of the cross-fingerings.

Steve
User ID: 9774843 Oct 24th 11:26 PM
Isn't Alan selling a couple?
cmelodysax.com

Sam
User ID: 0331974 Oct 25th 11:56 AM
Thanks.
The only brass/woodwind shop in Ireland only repairs instruments it has sold!! Apparently they get more instruments than they can handle.
When I tune my alto down, and my friends tune their instruments up, so that we're playing in between D and E flat, it sounds great (In my opinion)
Anyway, I would have to get it in working order (If I can get the money together), already refurbished.

As for the fingerings, I meant that they are very hard for me playing in D on an Alto, because of the spatula keys.

ukebert
User ID: 9112483 Oct 25th 12:02 PM
Hi Sam, it's nice to meet a fellow 'folkie'. I would think about the C Sop as well, I've heard wonderful soprano players playing the D whistle parts. C Tenor adds a bit of bite, but it isn't to everyone's taste. C Sop is safer probably. Although your piece about tuning your alto down and everyone elses up sends shivers down my spine (in a bad way), I wish you the best of luck.

Owen

Sam
User ID: 0331974 Oct 26th 10:43 AM
Is there anywhere I could hear a recording of a C soprano?

Also, it seems like they are harder to get
(I still want a C tenor)

Jungle Jim
User ID: 8026483 Oct 26th 12:52 PM
Sam....Think "Snake Charmer". That's your C soprano. Nasal to the max.

WW2
User ID: 1585334 Oct 26th 1:14 PM
I will try to get a recording of my C-Soprano on the web site. I is very powerful and has a decidedly oboe like sound.

ukebert
User ID: 9112483 Oct 27th 5:36 AM
Sam,
C Sops are sweeter than Bbs, and can sound very oboey. However, played well they're a really nice instrument. At the moment, it's about £250-£300 for a fixer, I've seen around 4 in the past month.

However, if it's a C Tenor that you wnat, you will find that there are a lot more about, so you'll have a lot more choice. You'll also find that fixers are around £100-£150 on eBay.

Ultimately, it's which sound you prefer.

Owen

ps Alan's site at www.cmelodysax.co.uk has plenty of samples to help you make up your mind

Sam
User ID: 0331974 Oct 27th 12:16 PM
I think that the C soprano is just a bit too high for me. I generally prefer bassy instruments, so if I ever get a C saxophone, it'll be a C tenor.
Thanks for all the help
Sam

Sam
User ID: 0331974 Oct 29th 3:29 PM
What sort of expertise would restoring a C tenor require, and what materials would you need?
And how long would it take (first time)?

Now I'm thinking I might restore one

Sam
User ID: 0331974 Oct 29th 6:30 PM
Alright, I've found this C melody on Ebay. address is :

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230042180455&fromMakeTrack=true

Number is:230042180455

It's a "1925 BUESCHER SILVER CURVED BELL C-MELODY SAXOPHONE"

It looks to be in good nick.
My questions are:
Does it use the buescher snap-in pads?
What sort of price would it go for in the end?

Is it worth restoring?(I want to restore it myself and I have no previous experience but a lot of determination and free time)
What would restoring it involve? (I would hope only taking it apart, polishing it, repadding it and adjusting the cork and felt setup)

How much should I be prepared to pay for it?
I would appreciate a quick reply, because it's ending tomorrow
Thanks,
Sam

Alan (UK)
User ID: 8200143 Oct 30th 8:57 AM
Sam - by the look of the small resonators, it has the original white 'snap-in' pads. (see below about the pads) But as to what price it will end up, do you have a crystal ball ? I'd say $250-300 - depends if someone really wants it, could fly or flounder.......

All you can do is bid as much as you are prepared to pay, bearing in mind ebay is very much a 'lucky dip' - and what you get often is either a bargain or a disappointment.

Remember to add in another 20-25% for import tax/duty/factoring into the EU, plus that $70 for shipping (you also pay tax/duty on that !)

You can still buy sets of brown/tan snap-in pads (from the UK or US, around £40 a set ( but some in the set don't always fit , I've found....) That can be easily sorted (happy to explain), and so you could just replace any that need to be changed, relatively easily.

Good luck if you go for it !!

Alan (UK)
User ID: 8200143 Oct 30th 9:11 AM
Sam - just to clarify, when I talk about "adding in" the mport tax/duty/factoring charges, I just mean remember you'll usually have to pay that to the man that delivers the sax this side of the Atlantic - Parcelforce delivers big USPS parcels in the UK , don't know about Eire/Republic (or whatever it's called these days.....)

( 17.5% VAT, + 5% Import duty, plus around £10 for 'submitting' the parcel for Customs inspection - piracy, isn't it ? )

Alan (UK)
User ID: 8200143 Oct 30th 9:33 AM
(third and final email) Sam - also note the seller doesn't accept Paypal, so it makes paying him just that little bit more difficult.

You may have to get a $US cheque/draft (costs up to £10) from your bank and post it to him, as the "new" Bidpay doesn't do $US Money Orders any more. Just one more hurdle..... If you're from the south then obviously you're talking equivalent Euros, not UK Pounds. Why they ever gave up the Punt in favour of the Euro is beyond me !

ukebert
User ID: 9112483 Oct 30th 10:13 AM
Sam, I've recently bought a Conn for slightly less than the one featured in your description. However, mine will require a complete overhaul, the works. It's a pain all these extra charges, I think I paid around £60 more, ridiculous. However, don't be put off. With the payment method, I went to my bank and talked to them about it, and they said that I should use an international money order, which was no problem.

Also remember that you'll have to buy stuff to restore it with, e.g. pads, torch, shellac, oil, etc. Music Medic does a kit. Allow £50 or so for that.

The costs do mount up. If you want to get all your money back at resale, you won't, at least for the fist one.

If you really want a cheap one, then you'll have to trawl through the listings that are misidentified as alto or tenor...

Regards,

Owen

Paul (UK)
User ID: 9252363 Oct 30th 11:13 AM
If you're in too much of a hurry I may be in a position to help. You can contact me at - paultrading@googlemail.com.
Paul

Sam
User ID: 0331974 Oct 30th 12:29 PM
I think it could reasonably go for $340, including $70 shipping. I wouldn't want to pay much more than that. I hadn't factored in import duty, though.

So as it's a Buescher, I don't think I'll need shellac. I can make my own leak light with parts I have in my house (I take lots of things apart), so I would only really need the pads and a few other things. So it could go for $340 x 22.5% = 416, plus maybe about $50 for pads, etc. So $470ish, which in euros is around €370ish. But it would be an interesting thing to do, and at the end of it I might have a working C-mel.

And Alan, I don't know why you didn't all give up the pound over in Britain.

And, to quote the constitution,
"Article 4:

The name of the State is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland."
So it's Ireland unless you're speaking Irish.

What a long post

Paul (UK)
User ID: 9252363 Oct 30th 12:34 PM
Sorry, that should have been not too much of a hurry.

Sam
User ID: 0331974 Oct 30th 1:01 PM
I intend to restore it myself, and I'm not in any sort of hurry. Paul, are you going to offer a C-melody or a restoration service?

Next 20 Messages Newest 20 Messages

Sam User ID: 0331974	Oct 23rd 3:58 PM Hello. I live in Ireland and I'm interested in getting a C-Melody Sax. I've got a very good reason, too. You see I play Irish music and I think it sounds great on my Jupiter alto (I only started 4 weeks ago). Anyway, almost all Irish music is in the key of D, and it's really hard to transpose on an E flat instrument, epecially with the spatula keys. So a C-mel Irish music would be ridiculously easy to play. So the point I'm getting to is, as I haven't a clue about restoring saxes, where's the best place to get on that works? (There's only one brass and woodwind shop in Ireland - http://www.paulryanmusic.com/) Thanks Sam
Jim B User ID: 9454293	Oct 24th 8:25 PM I might add that the C soprano might be a good choice. I tried C melody with folk music and a higher voice instrument might be a better choice. I did hear a C melody in a Klizmer band (Jewish folk music) in Prague once and it sounded good an octave lower than the lead instrument which was a trumpet. Since Ireland is only a short distance from the UK, maybe the UK people in this chatroom could fix you up with a buescher C melody or like instrument. I'm sure after you get the instrument your one shop you mentioned could do a good repadding job. The fingering like you mentioned would be identical to the D irish whistle with none of the cross-fingerings.
Steve User ID: 9774843	Oct 24th 11:26 PM Isn't Alan selling a couple? cmelodysax.com
Sam User ID: 0331974	Oct 25th 11:56 AM Thanks. The only brass/woodwind shop in Ireland only repairs instruments it has sold!! Apparently they get more instruments than they can handle. When I tune my alto down, and my friends tune their instruments up, so that we're playing in between D and E flat, it sounds great (In my opinion) Anyway, I would have to get it in working order (If I can get the money together), already refurbished. As for the fingerings, I meant that they are very hard for me playing in D on an Alto, because of the spatula keys.
ukebert User ID: 9112483	Oct 25th 12:02 PM Hi Sam, it's nice to meet a fellow 'folkie'. I would think about the C Sop as well, I've heard wonderful soprano players playing the D whistle parts. C Tenor adds a bit of bite, but it isn't to everyone's taste. C Sop is safer probably. Although your piece about tuning your alto down and everyone elses up sends shivers down my spine (in a bad way), I wish you the best of luck. Owen
Sam User ID: 0331974	Oct 26th 10:43 AM Is there anywhere I could hear a recording of a C soprano? Also, it seems like they are harder to get (I still want a C tenor)
Jungle Jim User ID: 8026483	Oct 26th 12:52 PM Sam....Think "Snake Charmer". That's your C soprano. Nasal to the max.
WW2 User ID: 1585334	Oct 26th 1:14 PM I will try to get a recording of my C-Soprano on the web site. I is very powerful and has a decidedly oboe like sound.
ukebert User ID: 9112483	Oct 27th 5:36 AM Sam, C Sops are sweeter than Bbs, and can sound very oboey. However, played well they're a really nice instrument. At the moment, it's about £250-£300 for a fixer, I've seen around 4 in the past month. However, if it's a C Tenor that you wnat, you will find that there are a lot more about, so you'll have a lot more choice. You'll also find that fixers are around £100-£150 on eBay. Ultimately, it's which sound you prefer. Owen ps Alan's site at www.cmelodysax.co.uk has plenty of samples to help you make up your mind
Sam User ID: 0331974	Oct 27th 12:16 PM I think that the C soprano is just a bit too high for me. I generally prefer bassy instruments, so if I ever get a C saxophone, it'll be a C tenor. Thanks for all the help Sam
Sam User ID: 0331974	Oct 29th 3:29 PM What sort of expertise would restoring a C tenor require, and what materials would you need? And how long would it take (first time)? Now I'm thinking I might restore one
Sam User ID: 0331974	Oct 29th 6:30 PM Alright, I've found this C melody on Ebay. address is : http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230042180455&fromMakeTrack=true Number is:230042180455 It's a "1925 BUESCHER SILVER CURVED BELL C-MELODY SAXOPHONE" It looks to be in good nick. My questions are: Does it use the buescher snap-in pads? What sort of price would it go for in the end? Is it worth restoring?(I want to restore it myself and I have no previous experience but a lot of determination and free time) What would restoring it involve? (I would hope only taking it apart, polishing it, repadding it and adjusting the cork and felt setup) How much should I be prepared to pay for it? I would appreciate a quick reply, because it's ending tomorrow Thanks, Sam
Alan (UK) User ID: 8200143	Oct 30th 8:57 AM Sam - by the look of the small resonators, it has the original white 'snap-in' pads. (see below about the pads) But as to what price it will end up, do you have a crystal ball ? I'd say $250-300 - depends if someone really wants it, could fly or flounder....... All you can do is bid as much as you are prepared to pay, bearing in mind ebay is very much a 'lucky dip' - and what you get often is either a bargain or a disappointment. Remember to add in another 20-25% for import tax/duty/factoring into the EU, plus that $70 for shipping (you also pay tax/duty on that !) You can still buy sets of brown/tan snap-in pads (from the UK or US, around £40 a set ( but some in the set don't always fit , I've found....) That can be easily sorted (happy to explain), and so you could just replace any that need to be changed, relatively easily. Good luck if you go for it !!
Alan (UK) User ID: 8200143	Oct 30th 9:11 AM Sam - just to clarify, when I talk about "adding in" the mport tax/duty/factoring charges, I just mean remember you'll usually have to pay that to the man that delivers the sax this side of the Atlantic - Parcelforce delivers big USPS parcels in the UK , don't know about Eire/Republic (or whatever it's called these days.....) ( 17.5% VAT, + 5% Import duty, plus around £10 for 'submitting' the parcel for Customs inspection - piracy, isn't it ? )
Alan (UK) User ID: 8200143	Oct 30th 9:33 AM (third and final email) Sam - also note the seller doesn't accept Paypal, so it makes paying him just that little bit more difficult. You may have to get a $US cheque/draft (costs up to £10) from your bank and post it to him, as the "new" Bidpay doesn't do $US Money Orders any more. Just one more hurdle..... If you're from the south then obviously you're talking equivalent Euros, not UK Pounds. Why they ever gave up the Punt in favour of the Euro is beyond me !
ukebert User ID: 9112483	Oct 30th 10:13 AM Sam, I've recently bought a Conn for slightly less than the one featured in your description. However, mine will require a complete overhaul, the works. It's a pain all these extra charges, I think I paid around £60 more, ridiculous. However, don't be put off. With the payment method, I went to my bank and talked to them about it, and they said that I should use an international money order, which was no problem. Also remember that you'll have to buy stuff to restore it with, e.g. pads, torch, shellac, oil, etc. Music Medic does a kit. Allow £50 or so for that. The costs do mount up. If you want to get all your money back at resale, you won't, at least for the fist one. If you really want a cheap one, then you'll have to trawl through the listings that are misidentified as alto or tenor... Regards, Owen
Paul (UK) User ID: 9252363	Oct 30th 11:13 AM If you're in too much of a hurry I may be in a position to help. You can contact me at - paultrading@googlemail.com. Paul
Sam User ID: 0331974	Oct 30th 12:29 PM I think it could reasonably go for $340, including $70 shipping. I wouldn't want to pay much more than that. I hadn't factored in import duty, though. So as it's a Buescher, I don't think I'll need shellac. I can make my own leak light with parts I have in my house (I take lots of things apart), so I would only really need the pads and a few other things. So it could go for $340 x 22.5% = 416, plus maybe about $50 for pads, etc. So $470ish, which in euros is around €370ish. But it would be an interesting thing to do, and at the end of it I might have a working C-mel. And Alan, I don't know why you didn't all give up the pound over in Britain. And, to quote the constitution, "Article 4: The name of the State is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland." So it's Ireland unless you're speaking Irish. What a long post
Paul (UK) User ID: 9252363	Oct 30th 12:34 PM Sorry, that should have been not too much of a hurry.
Sam User ID: 0331974	Oct 30th 1:01 PM I intend to restore it myself, and I'm not in any sort of hurry. Paul, are you going to offer a C-melody or a restoration service?