Kendrix Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I used to play sax in HS. Its been a long while- but Im shopping for one now. Ive had enough of my limited palette with sampled sax sounds. When i was younger I never appreciated this- but these horns can be amazingly beautiful. Im looking at vintage pro level horns (a new pro model is way more $ than I have to spend and Im too picky about the timbre to settle for a student model). Anyway - the engraving, the finish, the vibe of some of these older horns has seduced me big time. Got me thinkiing about the artisry and history inherent in instruments in general. They've evolved over hunderds of years( I think this is a definition of culture). The old ones often have character that new ones dont- not to mention the handi work and artistic floursihes that have largely disappeared from the scene. Im just really appreciating this lately. Makes me think about collecting as an investment. The better vintage pieces do seem to appreciate quite well. Discuss. Check out some tunes here: http://www.garageband.com/artist/KenFava Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 The vintage instrument market can be treacherous. That being said, spending money on a high-end instrument is almost always a good investment. They work well, they look good and they sound better the older they get. And if they don't appreciate in value over time you still get the benefit of an instrument that's a pleasure to play. I've regretted buying cheap guitars before but never expensive ones. "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I've never regretted buying a cheap instrument. If you do your homework, they are awesome investments because you pay little and still get a useful instrument. Originally posted by Gabriel E.: I've regretted buying cheap guitars before but never expensive ones.I admire 'art' masquerading as a musical instrument. I'll never own one because I like stuff I can use, but they are nice. I do NOT dig the whole 'vintage' craze. A battered '56 Strat is not somehow worth nineteen thousand dollars I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendrix Posted March 24, 2004 Author Share Posted March 24, 2004 Originally posted by coyote: I've never regretted buying a cheap instrument. If you do your homework, they are awesome investments because you pay little and still get a useful instrument. Originally posted by Gabriel E.: I've regretted buying cheap guitars before but never expensive ones.I admire 'art' masquerading as a musical instrument. I'll never own one because I like stuff I can use, but they are nice. I do NOT dig the whole 'vintage' craze. A battered '56 Strat is not somehow worth nineteen thousand dollars Just to be clea I'm not talking about "art masquerading as an instrument". Im talking about high quality vintage instruments that have artistic value. Check out some tunes here: http://www.garageband.com/artist/KenFava Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botch. Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I'm not a guitarist but I'd love to have one of those PRS "dragon" guitars, but at $20,000 to $30,000 a pop I'll settle for some press-on decals on my Kurzweil. Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will www.puddlestone.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Originally posted by Botch.: I'm not a guitarist but I'd love to have one of those PRS "dragon" guitars, but at $20,000 to $30,000 a pop I'll settle for some press-on decals on my Kurzweil. Ummmm, gimme a link to PRS "Dragon" guitars Mr. Botch. I'm curious about the decals they sell to turn my Kurzweil into a $20,000 to $30,000 guitar! "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botch. Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/Dragon2002GB-large.jpg Badass, folks... badass! Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will www.puddlestone.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeronyne Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Originally posted by Botch.: http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/Dragon2002GB-large.jpg Badass, folks... badass! "Hey, Mr. Smith, Jackson/Charvel called...they'd like their cheesy, teen-fantasy designs back..." JUST KIDDING! JUST KIDDING! "For instance" is not proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Well, I appreciate craftsmanship in a fine instrument. The cost isn't necessarily excessive. People often assume that a more expensive instrument is a waste of money because the cheap ones simply don't have abalone inlays. Untrue. Better saxophones are not more expensive simply because of materials and engraving. They produce a finer art in playabilty and tone. Many other subtle factors add up to a greater whole. These aren't appreciated by those looking for a quick fix. "Art" can go into the making of an instrument as much as playing it produces art. It is unfortunate that few appreciate better instruments. But, those that appreciate a fine instrument understand what makes it fine and coax the subtleties. "Art is not meant for the World. It is for those who can appreciate it". --The Eiger Sanction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendrix Posted March 25, 2004 Author Share Posted March 25, 2004 Originally posted by Prague: People often assume that a more expensive instrument is a waste of money because the cheap ones simply don't have abalone inlays. Untrue. Better saxophones are not more expensive simply because of materials and engraving. They produce a finer art in playabilty and tone. Many other subtle factors add up to a greater whole. These aren't appreciated by those looking for a quick fix. "Art" can go into the making of an instrument as much as playing it produces art. It is unfortunate that few appreciate better instruments. But, those that appreciate a fine instrument understand what makes it fine and coax the subtleties. "Art is not meant for the World. It is for those who can appreciate it". --The Eiger SanctionSooo true. I just auditioned a number of alto saxes and this one vintage Buescher pro model from the early 50's had a tone/timbre the modern horns or even the older student models just could not match. It was not a subtle difference. I understand this is to do with the compsosition of the brass they used at the time as well a the laquer they used. Just as there is nothing like an early Les Paul or old American strat- they cant seem to mass produce character. In addition, the engraving on this horn far surpases anythin done today cept for the very most excpensive special models. The only tradeoff is in the laquer finish which has worn off in spots. Thats an easy trade to make. Check out some tunes here: http://www.garageband.com/artist/KenFava Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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