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C Melody Saxophone Forum / C-Tenor (C-Melody) Saxophones / Opinions...

Next 20 Messages Newest 20 Messages

Angela Louison
User ID: 0464054 Apr 10th 1:20 PM
Sorry to be bothersome...this is sort of a follow-up to my last post. I've been doing some research, found loads of information almost all of which was really confusing, and then went to E-bay (I know, buyer beware).
Anyone have anything to say about these auctions? All clinkers, what I should be willing to pay, ANYTHING. The last in particular is the one I'm most interested.
Thanks in advance for any advice...it's so appreciated.

auctions #250101339009, #330106643781, #230114252997 and #140106172866.

Captain Muggles
User ID: 8945823 Apr 10th 8:34 PM
Angela Louison....Ebay is a great place to buy anything. I've never been disappointed by anything I bought from Ebay except a German CooCoo clock that I bought from Esellers Auctions. They are scam artists pure and simple. Run for your life if you see that name on an auction. They will RIP YOU OFF and lie through their eye teeth about it. I bought a Pristine mint condition 85 year old Conn C melody in like new condition for $350.00. It looked like it came from a time capsule. The best deals for C melody's are on Ebay, no doubt. BUT you must know what to look for!

Angela Louison
User ID: 0464054 Apr 10th 9:46 PM
Do you have any suggestions, Captain Muggles? Did you have a chance to check out any of the auctions I mentioned, particularly the last one?

bruce bailey
User ID: 0227464 Apr 10th 11:59 PM
The problem with ebay is that most C Melodies will need work. You can end up spending $300+ to get one working. I generally look for nice looking silver plated ones as they tend to look good even after 80+ years. Some of the bargains will be "stencil" horns that were made by major makers for other companies or stores. The closest I have would be a Wurlitzer that appears to be made by Martin. It plays well but the pads are older. $350 shined, adjusted and ready to go. I also have a Buescher for $250 that will need an overhaul. If you want to talk, 305-667-4925.
BB

ukebert
User ID: 7921973 Apr 11th 7:01 AM
your last one looks pretty good. The price will rise though,probably up to $400. One of them has now ended, the nickel one still has some white kid pads, some of which will need replacing, the other seems to have had a partial repad. The last should play straight out of the box.

WW2
User ID: 8973393 Apr 13th 11:45 AM
I have bought three C-Melody Saxophones from eBay. Two needed extensive work, one had the wrong necks (one alto neck, one C-Melody neck that did not fit the sax). One C-Melody was in very good condition and playable immediately.

The prices I paid were: US$275 for the good working sax. US$125 for Silver C-Mel with wrong necks. US$75 for "parts" horn, C-Mel in poor condition that I was going to use for parts for the other one.

Since you know very little about C-Melody saxes, I would recommend a reputable shop such as JandJwoodwinds.com. "Doc" Fraz can help you out. Just expect to pay more for a sax from a shop than from eBay, but you will get a working sax rather than a fixer-upper.

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Apr 13th 2:17 PM
Angela.
If you do decide to contact "Doc" (Phd in car mechanics) Frazier, be prepared to be preached at. You,as he,may be superstitious (a belief in the supernatural) and therefore are prepared to tolerate this.
He can, however mend saxophones even if he is unable to remake bows...as in a straight C Mel...yes, honestly.

Doc Frazier
User ID: 0352454 Apr 13th 9:22 PM
Thank you Bb,
I have already talked to Angela and I didn't "preach" to her as you claim.

If you consider what I believe superstitious then so be it.

As far as the bows, anyone can do that including yours truly. I took alot of lip from a fellow on SOTW about the straight C; should I have to do the same here where I thought we were friends?

I'm too busy doing repairs and custom work (yes, also bows) to be involved with another screamfest like SSM was famous for.

HIS servant, Doc

Captain Muggles
User ID: 8945823 Apr 13th 10:57 PM
Doc Frazier...Don't be unerved by that Captain Bb fellow. Sometimes I think he is Selmer Sax Man in disguise. He likes to be controversial & start arguments. (sort of like me). But I'm with you on this one. You must have done or said something that rubbed him the wrong way in the past. But that was no reason for him to assasinate your character to a complete stranger who was looking for honest advice on this forum. Take it with a grain of salt. He's just bitter and cranky about something! The more I think about it, the more I think he is Selmer Sax Man! (same sort of fascitious insults). Sort of like "If I can't do it, I'll insult somebody who can".

Captain Muggles
User ID: 8945823 Apr 13th 11:09 PM
By the way....As Michael Buffer would say "Let's Get Ready To Rhuuuuuumble"! Don't ya just Love It?

Steve
User ID: 8248813 Apr 14th 2:56 AM
In my opinion, most people are superstitious, they just use different terms to express it!

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Apr 14th 4:35 AM
Muggers.
Even you should be able to distinguish between good advice and "assasination". Some of us find this 14th Century superstition offensive in the extreme.
There are, presumably, many sites where these holier than thou, blinkered believers in the supernatural can talk about God, The Tooth Fairy, Father Christmas or any other fictional character.
This however is a saxophone site.
To end all his messages with "HIS servant" ...for christ's sake...I have no words.
You say " If I can't do it I'll insult someone who can"...take a look at the Conn (Impala) which I rebuilt...it's on Alans site under "saxy link", then shew us something that you have rebuilt. Certainly "Doc" Frazier can mend horns as I satated, but here is no rocket science in saxophones..they did it in 1846 using very primative tools. We know how some of you have to go to a "tech" just to change a reed but that says more about you.
I wonder would "Doc" (dear oh dear) Frazier stick to his grandiloquent "nickname" had he been called stinker or ginger at school.
You will notice also that he never joins in our dialogue but just lurks in the background to appear either when his name is mentioned or when he smells a dollar.
Muggers...it's the weekend and we all know that's when you always start stirring the excrement...simply a troublemaker as you so ably demonstrated on you initial posting.

Doc.
In some blurb that you wrote, posted, I believe, by Wade some time ago, you made the toe curlingly embarrassing statement that "god gave you a clarinet". Well I hope that you kept the signed delivery note..it will be worth more than the fraudulent (as are all religious relics) Turin Shroud.

Yours in SAXOPHONES Bb

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Apr 14th 5:04 AM
Oh yes Muggers, nearly forgot. It was you (and your pal) who wrote all that diatribe about user ID and multiple postings. As, so clearly, you are the Sherlock Holmes on this subject, I am surprised that you confuse me with SSM.. Do try to be consistent old chap! The other obvious difference, apart from the content, is that I do not use ghastly American corruptions such as Dunno and ya.
Also, I take no pleasure in being controversial as you put it...neither am I prepared to say nothing when some talk C*%P or impose upon our intelligence with references to unsubstantiated superstitious 14th century peasant frightening nonsense.

alan (uk)
User ID: 8200143 Apr 14th 6:06 AM
Yep, definately a "Crank Yankers" forum..... Time for another posting holiday, I suspect, so see you guys in May.

I often suspected, as a boy, that God also gave me a clarinet to play in chapel (which I did for many years, merrily squeaking over the 'break'...) - but then the Devil gave me a saxophone which took me off to the "dens of iniquity" ! Much more fun......

Yours in Agnosticism (lapsed Wesleyan-Methodist), Alan.

(P.S. -from Wikipedia- "Agnostics claim either that it is not possible to have absolute or certain knowledge of God or gods; or, alternatively, that while certainty may be possible, they personally have no knowledge." Yep, that about covers it)

PPS - Sorry to seem irreverent, but when Christains hear voices, it's a 'calling from God', but unbelievers call it Hallucinations....

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Apr 14th 8:04 AM
It would be very boring here if all we spoke about was C Saxophone. It is always enlightening to learn of fellow contributors' lifestle, country, taste in music, cars or motorcycles...anything like that.
However, there are taboos. Anyone who is well brought up learns that illness, religion and women are never discussed in polite company. In the last century this could result in being cashiered from the Guards...quite right too!
Why therefore are these admirable standards not adhered to here...to discuss religion is akin to dicussing sexually transmitted diseases...very bad form. Best kept to yourself; like haemorroids. :-))

Captain Muggles
User ID: 8945823 Apr 14th 9:58 AM
Bb...I was just being fascitious and trying to start a row. Looks like I was a success. I know you're not Selmer Sax Man. Please tell me more about Doc Frazier. I thought he was just a religious Zealot. (Christianity). I don't know anything about the other crap. Clue me in about the other wierd belief structure. I am sincere about this. If you won't do it. Doc Frazier, why don't you tell me. Are you a devil worshipper or something Doc.? Looks like I opened up the flood gates on this one.

Captain Muggles
User ID: 8945823 Apr 14th 10:04 AM
Bb....I'm sincere on this one. My apollogies if I struck a nerve. If you don't want to talk about these "14th century beliefs". So be it. I am just sincerely curious about the facts of these statements!

Captain Muggles
User ID: 8945823 Apr 14th 10:06 AM
I guess I was defending someone who I know nothing about. Forgive me!

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Apr 14th 10:33 AM
Muggers. No problem whatsoever young sir; noble of you to apologise.
Doc Frazier is a very good sax repairer who lives in Louisiana. Living in what I guess is the Bible belt he has been brought up to believe in god (voodoo in other parts of the world for the same reasons) Unfortunately it seems to have taken over his life to the extent that he cannot utter a sentence without reference to this mythical being. This is sad in the extreme.. just look at his signing off and see if you can reist sticking two fingers down your throat.
God gave him a clarinet...honestly, he said so. However, he did not get the deliver note signed!
He also made a straight C Mel...what use is that? It would have been of more use were it made of chocolate. The donor C Mel had a badly damaged bell which required replacement. I maintain that it is easy to make a "straight" bow, just turn up a tapered mandrel the required length and wind some sheet brass around it. Making this as the original bow is far more difficult...I maintain that he took the easy way out. He says this is not the case so we must believe him!
Another aspect is that he reads this site and never contributes...I once accused him of being the equivalent of a Moray Eel, lurking un-noticed in the shadows ready to pounce when anyone enquires about either buying or the repairing of C Mels....Just creepy...reminds me of the film Deliverance.
Perhaps it's just me but he really gives me the creeps.
In his favour he will take on aspects of repair which no-one else will touch; like making missing keywork...he still gives me the creeps; probably has one of those severe beards with no moustache. :-))

alan (uk)
User ID: 9245273 Apr 14th 11:09 AM
Just in case no-one noticed Steve's post, and to keep the world informed, new pics of the new C-Sax at -

http://cmelodysax.co.uk/aquilasax.htm

No connection - just admiration.......

Next 20 Messages Newest 20 Messages

Angela Louison User ID: 0464054	Apr 10th 1:20 PM Sorry to be bothersome...this is sort of a follow-up to my last post. I've been doing some research, found loads of information almost all of which was really confusing, and then went to E-bay (I know, buyer beware). Anyone have anything to say about these auctions? All clinkers, what I should be willing to pay, ANYTHING. The last in particular is the one I'm most interested. Thanks in advance for any advice...it's so appreciated. auctions #250101339009, #330106643781, #230114252997 and #140106172866.
Captain Muggles User ID: 8945823	Apr 10th 8:34 PM Angela Louison....Ebay is a great place to buy anything. I've never been disappointed by anything I bought from Ebay except a German CooCoo clock that I bought from Esellers Auctions. They are scam artists pure and simple. Run for your life if you see that name on an auction. They will RIP YOU OFF and lie through their eye teeth about it. I bought a Pristine mint condition 85 year old Conn C melody in like new condition for $350.00. It looked like it came from a time capsule. The best deals for C melody's are on Ebay, no doubt. BUT you must know what to look for!
Angela Louison User ID: 0464054	Apr 10th 9:46 PM Do you have any suggestions, Captain Muggles? Did you have a chance to check out any of the auctions I mentioned, particularly the last one?
bruce bailey User ID: 0227464	Apr 10th 11:59 PM The problem with ebay is that most C Melodies will need work. You can end up spending $300+ to get one working. I generally look for nice looking silver plated ones as they tend to look good even after 80+ years. Some of the bargains will be "stencil" horns that were made by major makers for other companies or stores. The closest I have would be a Wurlitzer that appears to be made by Martin. It plays well but the pads are older. $350 shined, adjusted and ready to go. I also have a Buescher for $250 that will need an overhaul. If you want to talk, 305-667-4925. BB
ukebert User ID: 7921973	Apr 11th 7:01 AM your last one looks pretty good. The price will rise though,probably up to $400. One of them has now ended, the nickel one still has some white kid pads, some of which will need replacing, the other seems to have had a partial repad. The last should play straight out of the box.
WW2 User ID: 8973393	Apr 13th 11:45 AM I have bought three C-Melody Saxophones from eBay. Two needed extensive work, one had the wrong necks (one alto neck, one C-Melody neck that did not fit the sax). One C-Melody was in very good condition and playable immediately. The prices I paid were: US$275 for the good working sax. US$125 for Silver C-Mel with wrong necks. US$75 for "parts" horn, C-Mel in poor condition that I was going to use for parts for the other one. Since you know very little about C-Melody saxes, I would recommend a reputable shop such as JandJwoodwinds.com. "Doc" Fraz can help you out. Just expect to pay more for a sax from a shop than from eBay, but you will get a working sax rather than a fixer-upper.
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Apr 13th 2:17 PM Angela. If you do decide to contact "Doc" (Phd in car mechanics) Frazier, be prepared to be preached at. You,as he,may be superstitious (a belief in the supernatural) and therefore are prepared to tolerate this. He can, however mend saxophones even if he is unable to remake bows...as in a straight C Mel...yes, honestly.
Doc Frazier User ID: 0352454	Apr 13th 9:22 PM Thank you Bb, I have already talked to Angela and I didn't "preach" to her as you claim. If you consider what I believe superstitious then so be it. As far as the bows, anyone can do that including yours truly. I took alot of lip from a fellow on SOTW about the straight C; should I have to do the same here where I thought we were friends? I'm too busy doing repairs and custom work (yes, also bows) to be involved with another screamfest like SSM was famous for. HIS servant, Doc
Captain Muggles User ID: 8945823	Apr 13th 10:57 PM Doc Frazier...Don't be unerved by that Captain Bb fellow. Sometimes I think he is Selmer Sax Man in disguise. He likes to be controversial & start arguments. (sort of like me). But I'm with you on this one. You must have done or said something that rubbed him the wrong way in the past. But that was no reason for him to assasinate your character to a complete stranger who was looking for honest advice on this forum. Take it with a grain of salt. He's just bitter and cranky about something! The more I think about it, the more I think he is Selmer Sax Man! (same sort of fascitious insults). Sort of like "If I can't do it, I'll insult somebody who can".
Captain Muggles User ID: 8945823	Apr 13th 11:09 PM By the way....As Michael Buffer would say "Let's Get Ready To Rhuuuuuumble"! Don't ya just Love It?
Steve User ID: 8248813	Apr 14th 2:56 AM In my opinion, most people are superstitious, they just use different terms to express it!
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Apr 14th 4:35 AM Muggers. Even you should be able to distinguish between good advice and "assasination". Some of us find this 14th Century superstition offensive in the extreme. There are, presumably, many sites where these holier than thou, blinkered believers in the supernatural can talk about God, The Tooth Fairy, Father Christmas or any other fictional character. This however is a saxophone site. To end all his messages with "HIS servant" ...for christ's sake...I have no words. You say " If I can't do it I'll insult someone who can"...take a look at the Conn (Impala) which I rebuilt...it's on Alans site under "saxy link", then shew us something that you have rebuilt. Certainly "Doc" Frazier can mend horns as I satated, but here is no rocket science in saxophones..they did it in 1846 using very primative tools. We know how some of you have to go to a "tech" just to change a reed but that says more about you. I wonder would "Doc" (dear oh dear) Frazier stick to his grandiloquent "nickname" had he been called stinker or ginger at school. You will notice also that he never joins in our dialogue but just lurks in the background to appear either when his name is mentioned or when he smells a dollar. Muggers...it's the weekend and we all know that's when you always start stirring the excrement...simply a troublemaker as you so ably demonstrated on you initial posting. Doc. In some blurb that you wrote, posted, I believe, by Wade some time ago, you made the toe curlingly embarrassing statement that "god gave you a clarinet". Well I hope that you kept the signed delivery note..it will be worth more than the fraudulent (as are all religious relics) Turin Shroud. Yours in SAXOPHONES Bb
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Apr 14th 5:04 AM Oh yes Muggers, nearly forgot. It was you (and your pal) who wrote all that diatribe about user ID and multiple postings. As, so clearly, you are the Sherlock Holmes on this subject, I am surprised that you confuse me with SSM.. Do try to be consistent old chap! The other obvious difference, apart from the content, is that I do not use ghastly American corruptions such as Dunno and ya. Also, I take no pleasure in being controversial as you put it...neither am I prepared to say nothing when some talk C*%P or impose upon our intelligence with references to unsubstantiated superstitious 14th century peasant frightening nonsense.
alan (uk) User ID: 8200143	Apr 14th 6:06 AM Yep, definately a "Crank Yankers" forum..... Time for another posting holiday, I suspect, so see you guys in May. I often suspected, as a boy, that God also gave me a clarinet to play in chapel (which I did for many years, merrily squeaking over the 'break'...) - but then the Devil gave me a saxophone which took me off to the "dens of iniquity" ! Much more fun...... Yours in Agnosticism (lapsed Wesleyan-Methodist), Alan. (P.S. -from Wikipedia- "Agnostics claim either that it is not possible to have absolute or certain knowledge of God or gods; or, alternatively, that while certainty may be possible, they personally have no knowledge." Yep, that about covers it) PPS - Sorry to seem irreverent, but when Christains hear voices, it's a 'calling from God', but unbelievers call it Hallucinations....
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Apr 14th 8:04 AM It would be very boring here if all we spoke about was C Saxophone. It is always enlightening to learn of fellow contributors' lifestle, country, taste in music, cars or motorcycles...anything like that. However, there are taboos. Anyone who is well brought up learns that illness, religion and women are never discussed in polite company. In the last century this could result in being cashiered from the Guards...quite right too! Why therefore are these admirable standards not adhered to here...to discuss religion is akin to dicussing sexually transmitted diseases...very bad form. Best kept to yourself; like haemorroids. :-))
Captain Muggles User ID: 8945823	Apr 14th 9:58 AM Bb...I was just being fascitious and trying to start a row. Looks like I was a success. I know you're not Selmer Sax Man. Please tell me more about Doc Frazier. I thought he was just a religious Zealot. (Christianity). I don't know anything about the other crap. Clue me in about the other wierd belief structure. I am sincere about this. If you won't do it. Doc Frazier, why don't you tell me. Are you a devil worshipper or something Doc.? Looks like I opened up the flood gates on this one.
Captain Muggles User ID: 8945823	Apr 14th 10:04 AM Bb....I'm sincere on this one. My apollogies if I struck a nerve. If you don't want to talk about these "14th century beliefs". So be it. I am just sincerely curious about the facts of these statements!
Captain Muggles User ID: 8945823	Apr 14th 10:06 AM I guess I was defending someone who I know nothing about. Forgive me!
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Apr 14th 10:33 AM Muggers. No problem whatsoever young sir; noble of you to apologise. Doc Frazier is a very good sax repairer who lives in Louisiana. Living in what I guess is the Bible belt he has been brought up to believe in god (voodoo in other parts of the world for the same reasons) Unfortunately it seems to have taken over his life to the extent that he cannot utter a sentence without reference to this mythical being. This is sad in the extreme.. just look at his signing off and see if you can reist sticking two fingers down your throat. God gave him a clarinet...honestly, he said so. However, he did not get the deliver note signed! He also made a straight C Mel...what use is that? It would have been of more use were it made of chocolate. The donor C Mel had a badly damaged bell which required replacement. I maintain that it is easy to make a "straight" bow, just turn up a tapered mandrel the required length and wind some sheet brass around it. Making this as the original bow is far more difficult...I maintain that he took the easy way out. He says this is not the case so we must believe him! Another aspect is that he reads this site and never contributes...I once accused him of being the equivalent of a Moray Eel, lurking un-noticed in the shadows ready to pounce when anyone enquires about either buying or the repairing of C Mels....Just creepy...reminds me of the film Deliverance. Perhaps it's just me but he really gives me the creeps. In his favour he will take on aspects of repair which no-one else will touch; like making missing keywork...he still gives me the creeps; probably has one of those severe beards with no moustache. :-))
alan (uk) User ID: 9245273	Apr 14th 11:09 AM Just in case no-one noticed Steve's post, and to keep the world informed, new pics of the new C-Sax at - http://cmelodysax.co.uk/aquilasax.htm No connection - just admiration.......