Although the now-vintage Swanee Sax wasn’t made for many years, I’m surprised how often they pop up for sale on the various eBay sites. For example, there is currently a pretty nice one for sale on the UK site.
Source: alienduffer on eBay.co.uk
When these instruments were on the market, they were sold as “Cheap, Effective, Easy to play”. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself on this old Jedson & Mastertone page, from their 1930-31 Musical Merchandise catalogue…
Notice the original selling price on No. 6453? Well the last Swanee Sax I wrote about sold for $537.49 US, in March 2013. :nuclear: I’ve heard of inflation, but that’s just freakin’ ridiculous. :loco: BTW, the one currently for sale on eBay already has four bids on it, and the auction currently sits at £256.00. xe.com estimates that to be $392.24 US.
Now I’ll leave it up to you to decide how much is too much for a vintage slider that was not intended as a professional level instrument. Personally, if I was looking for a slide saxophone to use, I’d likely be looking for a Reiffel & Husted—although admittedly, they are much more rare.
Relative merits of various slide saxophones aside, this is how the seller of the current Swanee Sax up for auction describes the horn:
Circa 1920 – 1930 Swanee sax slide saxophone.
A rare instrument in good original condition with original mouthpiece, case and neck strap.Case has some corners which need repair but otherwise OK.
Would benefit from a good clean.Slider works freely.
Measures 19 inches from bell to top of slider in the fully closed position.
Here are the photos of this Swanee slide saxophone…
The Swanee Sax does appear to be in quite good condition. For the right buyer, I’m sure it would be a lovely instrument. I’m curious to see just how much the right buyer is willing to pay for the right horn however.
By way of a coincidence i have found a Swannee Sax in my loft Model No6153 Pat no 27722-27, British made.in original patina state. works well, has not been used for 50 over years. Blue inside box, a little bit old now. Should I sell it? Cheers David. Robina Queensland Australia.
Well that depends entirely on you David. Do you think you’ll ever want to play it? Do you need the money? If I had one, I would keep it, but that’s just me…
Update: This is just freakin’ crazy, but this Swanee slider did sell for whopping £1,070.00. eBay estimated that to be approximately US $1,639.83. In order to get to that crazy-ass amount, 24 bids went in on this thing. :wtf:
Here is a plated model B, in the original carton box.
A tad expensive, but I like the text on the box.
“Nothing to go wrong”.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/SWANEE-Sax-B-slide-saxophone-VERY-RARE-original-box-mouthpiece-/271915212713?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item3f4f68dfa9
Even with a price drop (still at Eu 1,045.00) it doesn’t appear to have sold. Not all that surprising. I have noticed prices in Europe have come down lately quite a bit.
:nuclear: By the miracle of inflation prices have gone up since 1930. :nuclear:
The present new price with correction is close to £220, the price of a cheap saxophone.
When you consider the Swanee as the cheap saxophone of its time it is difficult
to say if things have improved since 1930.
:headbang: :groan: :headbang: