Yet Another American-Designed, Asian-Made Bass Saxophone

Last October when I wrote about the Orpheo bass saxophone, I noted that one of the first new, inexpensive bass saxophones that I remember reading about was the Mason. Because of the proliferation of inexpensive, American-designed, Asian-made bass saxophones seemingly for sale all over the Internet, it had suddenly triggered my memory of the Mason bass saxophones.

The brand had originally been discussed on the Bass Sax Co-Op. Mason was a stencil horn, and Lee Mason was the man behind the name. I hadn’t seen or heard of Lee Mason saxophones in quite some time. I was wondering if they were no longer available. I assumed that perhaps Lee Mason had ordered a certain number of bass saxes, and that he had sold them all.

Yesterday while I was looking through the Vancouver Craig’s List, I suddenly stumbled across a listing for a bass saxophone. I immediately recognized the man in the photo, and the photo itself. I was seeing a Lee Mason bass saxophone for sale.

What’s strange though is that the brand name has been blacked out on the photo. What’s that about?

Source: vancouver.en.craigslist.ca

I wonder if this metal mouthpiece comes with the horn when you buy it for $6,900 US.

Source: vancouver.en.craigslist.ca

Which of these cases do you get when you buy the sax?

Do you get the gig pack?

Source: vancouver.en.craigslist.ca

Or do you get a hard case?

Source: vancouver.en.craigslist.ca

Or do you get any case at all? Do you have to pay extra for it and/or a mouthpiece?

The text in the Craig’s List ad gives you very little to go on. It simply says:

Bass sax $6900 USD EXCELLENT…. I ALSO SELL METAL SILVER PLATED BASS SAX MOUTHPIECES….AND BASS SAX CASES

I don’t know anything about the quality of Mason bass saxophones. Nor do I remember reading reviews from players who have actually played the horn. However, it appears if you are in the market for a new, inexpensive bass saxophone, you have yet another choice.

I’m starting to lose track now of how many inexpensive, American-designed, Asian-made bass saxophones are available. If you’d like a recap of the ones I’ve found over the past few months, and their prices at the time, you can find them in my posts of October 17,  October 19, October 22, and January 27.

Over on the Woodwind Forum we have been discussing American-designed, Asian-made bass saxophones for the past couple of days. Specifically the discussion has centred around their construction, the materials used in their design, and how well these inexpensive horns might stand up to the rigours of use.

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