Buying a Used Saxophone: Things to Consider When Buying a Used Saxophone

In buying a used saxophone, the purchaser must takeand in accordance with the use and purpose for
into account a number of considerations whichbuying the instrument is always a good start in buying
emphasize the value of the price or amount paid asa used saxophone.  
well as the purpose for which the saxophone isSecond would be the price.  Although used
purchased.  saxophones are expected to be cheaper than new
There are generally four types of saxophonesones, an extremely cheap saxophone may hint at the
available. The soprano saxophone, which has theinstrument’s poor and unflattering quality –
highest pitch among the other saxophones, isthough not necessarily.  Nevertheless, used
considered as the least “user friendly” and is thesaxophones may also be sold at a price only slightly
most difficult to play.  Therefore, beginners arelower than the price for other brand new
recommended to shun away from purchasing asaxophones.  This may be due to several factors: the
soprano saxophone for practice.  The altosaxophone’s high quality, brand, make and model. 
saxophone is recommended as the best practiceThus even at that price, the used saxophone may still
saxophone for beginners and is most commonly usedbe worth buying.  This implies that buying a used
in school bands.  The third, the tenor saxophone issaxophone also entails a consideration of the brand,
perfect for jazz tunes as well as some rockmake and model of the instrument.  
music.    The baritone saxophone is the biggest andMost importantly, in buying a used saxophone, one
is very heavy that people who use the instruments willmust never hesitate to ask questions about the
have to put some harness to support the instrumentsaxophone.  It is advisable to ask as many questions
while they play.  as one can pertain to the “history” of the
A person who is buying a used saxophone must firstsaxophone such as: how was it used in the past? 
determine the purpose for which the instrument is toHow often was it used?  Had it even been
be purchased.  If he intends to practice and play therepaired?  When was the last time it had been
instrument as a beginner, then the alto saxophonerepaired?  How long has it been since it was first
would be the choice for him.  It is therefore importantpurchased?  Questions like these will help a person
to remember that it should not be the case that justdecide whether or not he is amenable to buying a
because the used saxophone is sold at a veryused saxophone.  One may also inquire why the
affordable rate one may already rush in buying thesaxophone is being sold.
instrument.  He may have the saxophone at the bestFinally, it is wise to play the saxophone first to test
price but it will not do him any good if he cannotfirst-hand the sound, the tone, and the quality of the
maximize the use of the instrument because it doesinstrument before entering into the deal of buying the
not best serve his purpose.  Simply put, it is not asaxophone.  In case one is a beginner and does not
good choice for a beginner to purchase a sopranoyet know how to play the instrument, bringing
saxophone even if the price is reasonably low.  Thus,someone who knows how to play the instrument
discriminating according to the types of saxophonealong would be practical and reasonable.