What is going on? Has the sax selling world gone mad? New bass saxophones are selling at rock bottom prices! Earlier this week WWBW slashed its prices on the IW 601 bass saxophones. Today, I find new Orpheo bass saxes on eBay, for the “Buy It Now” price of $5495 through Noteworthy Music.
Source: eBay.com
This is what they say about the horn:
This 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 a normal saxophone. All of this would not be possible if it weren’t for the exacting intonation this bass produces from top to bottom.
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 WHEELS, 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.
Source: eBay.com
The triple rings for your neck strap are a nice idea…
Source: eBay.com
As is the the second bell/body brace. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like the low C key has 2 arms. Again, a nice feature.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Who are these companies? Where are these horns all coming from? Was I in a coma, and missed the introductions of all these new bass saxophone brands? And why are all these horns suddenly on sale during the same week, for about the price of a pro model baritone saxophone. (Or if you’re in Canada, about the price of an intermediate level bari.)
Sure, I’d heard there were some new American-designed, Asian-made horns on the market. I hang out with the other bass sax-playing kids on the sax discussion boards, but I don’t remember hearing all of these names. I wonder what other brands I haven’t heard about? Hmm 
…Maybe I really was in a coma, and no one told me? Perhaps it’s no wonder my EEG looks like this…
So I guess if you’re currently in the market for a bass saxophone, you’ve got plenty of choices. New, inexpensive horns are available as this, and my post on the International Woodwinds 601 shows. Another name I’ve heard is Mason. I can’t currently find any listings for them online though, so I don’t know if they’re still around. Does anyone know?
If you have more money to spend, Keilwerth & Selmer of course will be happy to build you one of theirs, as will Eppelsheim. (I think I’d go with him, if I was going to get a new, high-end horn, but that’s just me.)
If you like vintage horns, there is of course always a changing supply of those on the market. The quirky two-tone Holton that Saxquest had on eBay, sold yesterday for $3,327.77. That seems very low to me, so I predict we’ll be seeing it again soon…But for more $. Currently a member of the Bass Sax Co-op is selling his Evette-Schaeffer system bass (he’s also got it on SOTW). So a bit of hunting around should find you a few vintage basses to chose from. You just need to be patient. The right horn will come along for you.
I suppose this wide variety of bass saxophones was inevitable. It is just a sign of our post modern times.
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Well if prices keep dropping like they have been, you won’t be waiting too long! 😀
Who the hell knew that Amazon.com sold musical instruments? I guess I don’t get off the Amazon.ca site too often. 😉
You have to ask yourself though: What is the markup on these horns? Jeez…No wonder all the companies are moving their production to Asia.
It won’t be long before there is no one left in Europe anymore either making saxophones.
The Orpheo — now for $3,999.
I’m buying the first company to make $1,000 basses DOUGHNUTS! 😀