While I was researching a painted saxophone for someone who had asked me a question, I happened across the website of Delaware artist Julie Borden. Julie paints a lot of different things, but of special interest to me, were her hand painted saxophones.
As I was looking at Julie’s art work, I immediately started to wonder: Just what kind of saxophones is she using? These don’t look like $49 eBay specials.
A quick read on one of the saxophone pages, turned up the following interesting tidbit of information:
The Ultimate Sax Player Gift
Hand painted saxophones by artist Julie Borden
Julie Borden is the most recognized artist in creating hand painted musical instruments for over 10 years. Each instrument is individually hand painted and is a one of a kind artwork. Each saxophone is a new or new condition pre-owned instrument. We also offer to paint your existing musical instrument, [emphasis added] if you’d like to send us your piece or drop it off at our shop in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Instruments may be custom ordered with your choice of designs, colors and themes or you can choose from some of our existing themes or create your own combo. Each saxophone is finished with a gloss, semi gloss or matte finish top coat. Please allow 3-4 weeks to create your custom painted sax.
Surely she talking about non-functioning, horns… Right?
Not so fast. It turns out that Julie Borden claims that a person can play their horn after it’s been painted…
Juleez hand painted custom horns are playable, but many of our clients choose to display them. Each piece is a unique work of art and makes a great statement to any show, performance or room.
Playable? Really? No paint got on the pads during the process? I can see that Julie would do this with an old Bundy tenor…
… but a new Selmer Series II tenor? Yup, she offers those as well. Check out the drop down menu on any of the saxophone pages.
Not a Selmer fan? Or perhaps you’re looking for an alto. Julie offers Yamaha YAS-62, as well as the intermediate level YAS-480.
If none of the 16 different makes and models of saxophones that Julie Borden sells appeals to you, don’t forget you can always send her your horn.
I must admit, the idea of a hand painted saxophone really quite appealed to me, so I decided to take my bass to a friend of mine, and let him go crazy with his paints. I figured the bass would give him a bigger canvas to work with. I think he did just an amazing job…
Disclaimer: No bass saxophone was harmed in the making of this piece of saxophone art. 😉
Just ran across this as I was researching painting saxophones. I was wondering if Ms Borden paints the horns fully assembled or if she has a tech disassemble them and then paints the individual parts and has the tech reassemble them for her?
I have an old Selmer Bundy II alto I use as a backup horn I was thinking of painting. I’d still like to be able to play it, though.
Hey there George. I really have no idea how the hand painted horns in the article are painted, however, logically, it would only make sense that they would be done while the horns are apart.
As far as painting your Bundy II, do you have another sax? I would never suggest to paint a horn you only have 1 of. There are a number of unforeseen consequences of painting that could effect the horn post-painting. (Insert Bundy II joke here.) 😉 😆
Seriously, do you have another sax? If so, what is it? Is it better or worse than than the Bundy?
Please I Want To Lean More On How Paint Sax By My Self,
I would be speechless, Except, in returning to music in just the last year and a half and while researching my favorite obsession (Italian Sassofonos) to see how some people treat instruments, I can never again underestimate human stupidity.
And in any case, why should Taishan or Selmer care what’s done after the sale. Most likely voids the warranty so no skin off their nose.
And I Knew that the Base was photoshopped. 😉
Yeah, the “paint” on the mouthpiece kinda’ gave it away. :clown:
HELEN!! NOOOOOO000000ooooooo!!!!!!
(whew. it’s just photoshop. I’m so relieved.)
Actually, my baby is going to the shop tomorrow for some much needed
twerking, um I mean tweaking. :devil2:I’m going to be using it in a band that I started to play in. ATM, I could nearly use my bass as a sieve, it’s leaking that badly. I’ve gotten so used to compensating for the leaks, that when I get it back, it will seem ridiculously easy to play I’m sure. :party:
Oh please, PLEASE don’t let Miley anywhere near your horn with that Wrecking Ball of hers!
Oops… Too late…. :groan: