This bass saxophone immediately caught my eye yesterday when I first saw it. I wished I lived closer so that I could give it a try, because I must admit, I’ve been curious about the SX-90 bass for quite some time.
Source: eBay.com
Keilwerth bass saxophones are just not seen very often—with a notable exception being in and around the Philly area, where you can find them more in string bands, than most likely anywhere else in North America.
This bass belongs to a former member of the Denville string band. Here’s how the sax is being described by the seller:
This is a (approx.) 2000 Keilwerth bass saxophone. I’ve used it for 5 years in a NJ band specializing in 1910’s to 1920’s traditional Philadelphia String Band music (banjo, sax and accordion). I’m moving to NC in a few months and can’t find a band down there where it’ll fit in, so I’m back to playing tenor and bari. I bought it in 2005 from an airline pilot that was newly retired and planning to travel and had no use for it. This sax is in very good to excellent condition. You can see in the photos that I’ve applied peel-and-stick vinyl shelf liner to the body to protect the finish from belt buckles and chair rash, and it’s easily removed. An arrow in one photo points to a dent – I confess – I caused it… I dropped it on the edge of the case while putting it away. It’s not a big deal, basses collect more dents than dust and this one doesn’t affect anything but my ego.
There is a bit of lacquer spotting as you might expect. I’d put the finish at 98%. The neck is in perfect condition. The mouthpiece is a 50’s Selmer and is included as is the ligature. It’s had a baffle added and helps this bass play as easily as any tenor. The case is the original and except for a few scuffs is in excellent condition with wheels added at one end. The wheels are a good thing to have on a beast like this. the stand is also included and is perfect for playing while seated.
I encourage you to come play this in person before bidding. It’ll knock your socks off! I’m located in Stirling, NJ 07980. US 48 sale only.
Sells new for $17,000.00 at Woodwind and Brasswind.
From Keilwerth sales literature:
Professional SX90 bass saxophone, gold lacquer body and keys, extra high F arm with adjusting screw for better lower stack adjustment, auxiliary F key, mother of pearl finger buttons, leather pads with metal resonators, adjustable thumb rest, adjustable palm keys, larger bow section, G pad cup lifting mechanism, hydraulically formed neck, key clamps, deluxe stitched plush lined case.
Source: eBay.com
Since I’m not familiar with Keilwerth bass saxes in an up close & personal way, I don’t know what is located near the lyre holder and screw. In this photo I’m not sure what this black material is. I’m thinking maybe electrician’s tape? Is it, and whatever that translucent material with it is, part of the protection the owner added to protect the finish?
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
This must be where the dent is that the owner mentions. I’m not sure I can see the dent, so it must not be too big.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
The bow looks to be in very nice shape, and doesn’t seem to have any visible dents. Note the added protection added to the bow guard. This owner was very fastidious about protecting his horn from damage.
Source: eBay.com
The sink trap neck really does seem to be in pristine condition. Did this sax ever get played more than a few times a year? I’m thinking not.
Source: eBay.com
This Keilwerth seems to be in overall amazing condition. The auction for this bass runs until April 5. Bids are to start at $8,000.00. At the time of writing, there were no bids yet on this lovely bass sax.
Update: When the auction ended, there were exactly 0 bids on this beautiful Keilwerth bass saxophone. What’s up with that?
The seller has re-listed it, and dropped the price by $500. He to figures it’s the economy. If it doesn’t sell this time around, he says that he’s keeping it, and selling it when things pick up.
The new auction runs until April 12. The new price is $7,500.00
Hi Helen,
When it didn’t sell, I contacted the seller and went to NJ Saturday to buy this bass. A great horn. I’ve already been in touch with Paul Coats to get another fork for my Saxrax Baritone / Bass stand. Also ordered a mouthpiece from Paul.
This Bass is said to be cir. 2000. I was curious – do you know when Keilwerth first started making them? I’m told they used an old Conn as a model. It plays very well with my Bari Sax HR 6 Link / 2.5 Fibracell, I can’t wait to get Paul’s Runyon.
The former owner is a good guy and included all the incedentals in the sale. How do I join your forum?
Hi Glenn. Welcome to my site.
Congrats on your new horn. She is a beauty. I was very much drooling over it myself. (My drool meter gets set off at most shiny, big things these days, but I’ve resisted temptation… So far…) :devil2:
Do you know the opening Paul is going to use? I have a 7 from him that I used for years, but then I had the opportunity to playtest 2 bass prototypes for Chicago Mouthpieces that were done with a Runyon 5. I liked them better, because they were in fact easier to blow. I use one of those now as my main piece. I recently noticed a bass sax being sold with one of Paul’s pieces, and it too was a 5, so he does use them as well. If you don’t know what he’s using, you might want to check in with him and discuss these options, and get his input.
I did a bit of digging, and according to member of the Bass Saxophone Co-op, he contacted Keilwerth to ask about his horn, and the Keilwerth bass saxophones in general. Apparently Keilwerth started making their bass saxophones in 1970. In 2006, the year this member contacted Keilwerth, they said they were making 2 or 3 bass saxes annually.
The former owner of your bass was a member of the Bass Sax Co-op. To join the group, just go to the site and send a request through the front page where it says, “Join This Group”, or somthing like that. Or, email Paul. He is a moderator for the group. It’s not my forum, I’m just a member there, and have been since its inception in November 2001.
I don’t have a forum, I just have this weblog, which is part of my website, bassic-sax.info. There is no membership requirement. Anyone can read everything that’s posted, and now that I’ve approved your first comment, you should be able to comment on anything you want without having to get approval. I say should, because sometimes things still get caught in the spam filters, and I have to fish them out.
I hope you enjoy your new horn. Please keep me in the loop with how things are going, and what you do with it. Also, let me know how your mouthpiece and reed choices are coming along.
Just as an aside, I’m amazed that you can use a 2 1/5 Fibracell on a bass. I know I use a soft, or a 1 or a 1 1/5. Paul used to use the same, but maybe he’s using something harder these days too. I haven’t talked to him about reed choices recently. I just know blowing air through all those feet of tubing is hard enough, adding extra resistance is not something I personally want to do.
Enjoy your journey into bass saxophone land. Your life has changed now. You have been assimilated. 😉
Regards,
Helen
Hi Helen,
Thanks for the information on the Keilwerth. I would not have guessed production as low as 2-3 per year. Obviously, not a big profit maker for Keilwerth!
I did talk to Paul about a 5 rather than a 7. He seems to think that the 7 is the way to go. I’m thinking of asking him to send one of each and I can keep the one that works best.
As you know, the Runyons that Paul works on have an enlarged window. Paul recommends a 1.5 Bari reed because you “use more of the reed” as I understand it the bottom – thicker – part of the reed is called into service. I think my 2.5 works well because it is used on a conventional Bari mouthpiece.
I’m glad to be “assimilated” to the bass sax club. Nice web site, very informative.
Thanks again,
Glenn G
Update: Yup, this Keilwerth didn’t sell at auction. The seller tried once more with an auction that ended on April 19. Again, no takers. However, as you can see above, this lovely bass did finally find a new home. Glenn is the proud new papa of this German bass saxophone.