Martin Magna Low A Baritone Sax For Sale On Italian eBay

Now here is one, rare vintage bari that will most likely get a lot of players checking their G.A.S. levels. Up for auction at the moment, on the Italian eBay site, is a Martin Magna, low A baritone saxophone.

    Source: eBay.it

Now since this ad is in Italian, and I don’t speak or read the language, I had to rely on a web-based translation programs. Well the results were all pretty funny, and most likely not really too reflective of what the owner of this sax was actually saying. Here though, are the salient points:

• Martin Magna baritone sax;
• This instrument has a suburb sound and is in excellent condition;
• This sax has been re-padded & comes ready to play;
• On the Sax Gourmet website, Steve Goodson writes that Martin baritones are among the best of the vintage baritones;
• Steve says that they have a sweet sound & lush bottom end;
• The Vintage Saxophone Value Guide, that Steve has put on his site, states the Martin baritones are valued at $3600 US.

    Source: eBay.it

In the photo above, it looks like the lacquer is coming off the bow region. For me, this raises the question if we’re not looking at a relacquered horn.

    Source: eBay.it

    Source: eBay.it

Now while this is indeed a rare horn—and a very nice looking example of one at that—the ad fails to address some key questions, such as: Has it been refinished? Does it come with a case?

If the seller is going to quote Steve’s Vintage Saxophone Value Guide, then perhaps he/she also note what Steve writes in the introduction to the Guide:

I have based my valuations upon the following assumptions: (1) the instrument is in perfect playing condition and needs nothing in terms of repair (2) the finish is original and completely intact (3) the original case is intact (4) the instrument has not been altered or modified from its original condition, having the correct style pads, springs, no neck pickups etc. Deduct for needed repairs and/or restoration to original condition. Relacquers are generally worth 25% less than 100% originals.

The Buy It Now price for this vintage rarity of the baritone world is €2950.00, which according to the Bank of Canada currency calculator, is approximately $4,391.92 US. 

The auction for this Magna low A bari runs until October 26. As of the time of writing, there were no bids or offers yet on the sax.