In fall I noted in a post that Noteworthy Musical was selling their Orpheo bass saxes on eBay for $5495. Just a couple months later, a regular reader of my blog found the Orpheo bass sax on Amazon.com for $3,999! This price difference of $1,500 seemed ridiculous. It got me wondering: How much is the markup on these instruments? How much does it actually cost to produce these “hand made” horns? Are the people working in these factories making more than sweat shop wages? I am beginning to seriously think not.
Last night I was looking at eBay listings, and guess what? Noteworthy Musical is now selling their Orpheo bass saxophones for $3,995. And to make this even more tempting for would-be bass players, they are offering free shipping on your bass saxophone. Huh?
The pictures they included with their eBay ad are the same as the ones they used the last time around, with a couple of new additions. For example, this time, they added this partial shot of the left side of the horn.
Source: eBay.com
Noteworthy did also include a better shot of the low C key, which does indeed show that the key has double arms. (In October I mentioned that it appeared the horn had this feature, but the photo was a tad too blurry to be sure.)
Source: eBay.com
This is how Noteworthy Musical describes the Orpheo bass saxophone on eBay:
This Orpheo Bass Sax is based upon the great vintage Saxophones from the golden era of Bass saxophones. It is totally handmade and represents a breakthrough in recreating the essence of bass saxophone performance.
The Orpheo Bb Bass Saxophone goes from low Bb up to high F#. The sound is gloriously mellow, with complete ease of resistance. Believe me, it is nothing like the old boat anchors from hock shops that took years of adjusting just to play. The keywork has been totally modernized so the hand position is as natural as playing on an alto saxophone. All of this would not be possible if it weren’t for the exacting intonation this Orpheo bass produces from top to bottom. It has a 3 Ring neck strap, and is supplied with 2 necks.
The Orpheo Bass comes with a real hard rubber Bass Sax mouthpiece so it can be played right out of the box. And speaking of boxes, it comes with a lightweight Hard Case with WHEELSs, so you don’t have to break your back. The instrument is Brand New and comes with our one year warranty and money back guarantee.
To make it even more amazing, we are giving FREE SHIPPING! Experience a legend…..
I’m not sure what the point of the 2 necks is, since they appear to be identical, and nothing in the ad copy indicates otherwise.
Source: eBay.com
So if you’re in the market for a bass saxophone, and want to take the gamble on a $4,000 new horn, apparently there are 2 available for purchase through Noteworthy. If you don’t manage to get one of those, Amazon.com is still selling them as well.
A few days ago, myself and one of the other Content Experts/Moderators of the Woodwind Forum, were discussing these very instruments. Grant was wondering if anyone had played an Orpheo bass, and was able to speak to their strengths/weaknesses. I told him that I hadn’t heard from anyone, anywhere, that they had experience with this brand of bass saxophone. So if you have, please leave a comment here. People are curious about these instruments, and would like to know what players’ reactions to them are.
Update: Noteworthy Musical has 3 Orpheo bass saxes listed back in its on-line store. (Wonder if they’re the same 3 that were listed in Feb., or if they managed to sell any since then?)
The But It Now price on an Orpheo bass has dropped again. It now sits at $3995.00. This current listing ends on July 26.
Update: Noteworthy Musical has upped their prices a bit on this bass. When I checked tonight, the price was now $4,495 for Buy It Now, and offers were no longer being accepted. They also only have 3 basses left, so they appear to have sold 1.
Perhaps the new owner will chime in here with a review of his/her new saxophone when they get it!
Yup, it would be. BTW Jim, how’s that straight jacket fitting these days? 😉
Owning two bass saxes, that’s just insane!
Hi.
The two necks are not identical.
Different lengths to obtain pitch, in combination to the mouthpiece.
I played one last Saturday. It sucks. I still love the Buescher True Tone.
Regards, Luiggi 🙂
Hi Luiggi. Welcome to my web site.
Thanks for the info on the necks. Your take on them is interesting. I think the Note Worthy Music should include some info in their ad copy why they include 2 necks.
I’m with you on the Buescher True Tone bass. I love mine, and wouldn’t part with it.
The only modern bass that I can see myself owing one day is an Eppelsheim. (And even then, I’d keep my Buescher.) The Eppelsheim horns are really well designed & extremely well built. You pay a premium price, but then you’re getting a premium horn. Until that time though, my vintage bass is absolutely up to task of doing everything I want/need it to do.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Cheers,
Helen
Yup, if prices keep dropping the way the are, by the end of 2010, they’ll be paying us to take them away! 😆
Not to be outdone, the I&K basses on eBay are now being sold for approx. $3,814.76 USD..
I’m guessing $2k basses will be out by 2010.. :O