The Bassic Sax Blog

Every time I turn around, there seem to be more and more new Asian-made bass saxophones appearing on eBay, under brand names that are completely foreign to me.

Take for example, this rather over-hyped bass sold under the brand name Hunter. The photos are blurry, and the ad text is at best, creative. I’d sure like to know why anyone would be tempted to spend $8,000 as a starting bid, on an unknown Asian-made horn. For that price, you can get something of known quality.

Why risk buying online? Buy from the pros that have been serving the music industry for over 50 years in the heart of Manhattan!! Wow, WOW, WOW! Here’s something you probably haven’t seen in quite a while! A brand new Bass Saxophone! Features include Gold Lacquer, Silver plated keys, Low Bb, and a built – in instrument stand! Comes with a case and year long warranty! The bass sax was first put to use in 1844, by Hector Berlioz, and since then has been the rock solid bottom of many a tune! Leonard Bernstein thought a bass sax was a total necessity when he wrote and scored “West Side Story.” One of the more famous names to play a bass was Coleman Hawkins. Typically, these instruments cost over $10,000. A box of reeds for this mammoth is usually $40! However, at NYWWB, we are having a special HOLIDAY SALE. This beautiful beast has been reduced and reduced again! Bid now, before its too late!! Comes with a YEAR LONG WARRANTY ON ALL REPAIRS!!! New York Woodwind and Brass Music 168 W. 48th St. New York, NY

So this horn is a French “short wrap” style, perhaps a Selmer knock-off. I’ve not seen an Asian bass with silver plated keys. Nickle plated yes, but not silver plated. I’m curious about that feature.

BTW, I’d say that Adrian Rollini was way more famous as a bass saxophone player than Coleman Hawkins was, but heh, that’s just me.

    Source: eBay.com

    Source: eBay.com

The horn is keyed to high F#.

    Source: eBay.com

Note the “built-in instrument stand” in the photo below… I’d call it a peg, since the horn can’t stand up on its own with it, but whatever…

    Source: eBay.com

    Source: eBay.com

Now if this Hunter doesn’t tempt you, there is yet another new Asian-made bass saxophone available on eBay at the moment, that I haven’t seen before. This one doesn’t carry a brand name however.

This bass is being sold by DLM Music, in Lancaster, UK. It is described as follows:

This is a superb quality Bass Saxophone, Combining fantastic build with a great finish, and a highly competitive price. This instrument is ideal for beginners to advancing players alike.

More Details:

Bass saxophone in the American Conn/Buescher style. A mighty instrument!

We have produced this quality instrument without compromise to give more people the opportunity to learn and play what is normally a very expensive instrument.

Each 0f our Bass saxophone is now checked and serviced by a qualified technician before dispatch, to ensure you will receive a quality, ready to play instrument.

This sax features an innovative built-in instrument stand, which is particularly useful for younger or smaller players.

Bass Saxophone Outfit Specifications

Bb Bass Saxophone

Low Bb

Lacquered brass body and keywork

Good quality pads with domed metal reflectors

Adjustable thumb rest

Light gold clear polished laquer finish

Includes ABS saxophone case and accessories

14 day money back guarantee:

If you decide this instrument is not ideal for you, simply send it back within 14 days of purchase for a full refund.

2 Year Warranty

Is it just my eyes, or is that “innovative built-in instrument stand”, not visible in this photo? This no-name sax does however, have a few features immediately visible, that are not present on the vintage bass saxes that this horn was fashioned after: It has 2 bell/body braces; the low C key has double arms; the bow is held to the body tube with a connecting ring; and it has triple neck strap rings.

    Source: eBay.com

The Buy It Now price on this bass is GBP 2,920.00, which eBay is showing as approximately US $4,322.77 at the time of writing.

I’m going to go on record and state that I am just outright confused by this proliferation of bass saxophones in recent years. There aren’t enough bass sax players out there to support these numbers of bass saxophone brands. I’m curious to know how many of these horns, under these different names, are actually being produced.

We keep seeing the same vintage bass saxes appear over and over again on eBay, as owners can’t sell them. We’re seeing the same new, brand name bass saxes on eBay as well, as they’re not selling either. I just don’t see how these cheaper-made bass saxes, some without any brand name whatsoever, others with brand names no one has heard of, can sell at this point in time.

Yes, the bass saxophone might have undergone somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, but the build them and they will come attitude of manufacturers, has got to be backfiring as these unwanted behemoths are taking up space in music stores, and tying up cash. Or am I missing something?

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