How Much Is My Old Saxophone Worth?

If you've got an old saxophone sitting at home, you might be wondering how much it's worth. The difficult part is that there isn't a simple answer.

Two saxophones of the same make and model can be worth quite different amounts depending on their condition, how well they play and how much work they need.

A saxophone that looks almost new and plays perfectly can be worth considerably more than the same model with worn lacquer, tired pads and a lot of repair work needed.

 

What affects the value of a saxophone?

There are several things we look at when valuing a second-hand saxophone.

Make and model

The first thing to establish is exactly what saxophone you have.

The manufacturer and model can make a huge difference to the value. A professional saxophone from an established manufacturer may be worth considerably more than a basic student model, even if the two instruments are a similar age.

The serial number can also be useful because it can help identify the age and sometimes the exact model of the instrument.

Cosmetic condition

The condition of the lacquer or finish is one of the things people tend to notice first.

A saxophone with very little wear can be more desirable than one with significant lacquer loss, scratches or other cosmetic damage. However, cosmetic condition isn't everything.

A saxophone with some worn lacquer can still be a very good instrument if the keywork and pads are in good condition and it plays well.

The condition of the keywork and pads

This is one of the most important factors when we're valuing a saxophone.

Saxophones have a lot of moving parts, and the pads need to seal properly for the instrument to play correctly. Pads naturally wear over time and can become hard, damaged or leaky.

If only one or two pads need attention, this may be relatively straightforward. If a large number of pads need replacing, however, the cost of getting the saxophone ready to sell can become significant. That's something a shop has to take into account when valuing an instrument.

 

What if my saxophone needs a lot of work?

This is where valuations can become particularly difficult.

If a saxophone needs a lot of work, the cost of that work will be factored into its eventual selling price.

Pads are a good example. If several pads need replacing, that can add a significant amount to the cost of getting the instrument ready to sell. There may also be other repairs or adjustments needed, such as work to the keywork, corks, springs or body.

A shop can't simply value an instrument needing extensive work at the same price as a fully working example. The cost of the repairs, the time involved and the risk of unexpected problems all have to be considered.

 

Does an old saxophone have to be in perfect condition to be valuable?

No. An older saxophone doesn't necessarily need to look perfect to be worth buying.

Some players actively look for older instruments, and cosmetic wear doesn't necessarily affect how well a saxophone plays. What matters is understanding what is cosmetic and what affects the instrument's playability.

Worn lacquer, for example, might look dramatic but have relatively little effect on how the saxophone plays. A leaking pad or damaged keywork is different because it can directly affect the instrument's performance and require repair.

 

How can I use eBay to find out what my saxophone is worth?

eBay can actually be a useful place to get an idea of what your saxophone is currently selling for, but it's important to look at SOLD listings, rather than simply looking at instruments that are currently for sale.

A saxophone being advertised for £600 doesn't necessarily mean someone is willing to pay £600 for it. Sellers can list instruments at whatever price they choose, which can give you a huge variety of asking prices.

Sold listings show you what people have actually paid for similar instruments, making them a much better indication of the current market.

When comparing sold listings, make sure you're looking at the same make and model and, as far as possible, similar condition. A fully serviced saxophone in excellent condition isn't directly comparable with one that needs several hundred pounds of work.

 

How can I find out what my saxophone is worth?

The best way to get an accurate valuation is to have the actual instrument looked at.

At Play It Again UK, we can assess the make, model, age, cosmetic condition, keywork, pads and general playing condition of a saxophone. Sometimes an instrument is worth considerably more than you might expect. Other times, the amount of work required means that its value is lower than the price you may have seen for a similar model online. So we will take into account any work that may be needed before the instrument can be sold. The important thing is to look at the individual saxophone, rather than simply the model name.

If you're thinking about selling or part-exchanging an old saxophone, we'd be happy to take a look and give you an idea of what it's realistically worth. For all enquiries or advice, give us a call on (01202) 667320 or message us on our Contact page.