OK - so the links above give you a glimpse of what you can pick up on ebay. Some of the deals are wonderful - some of them woeful. You need some guidance about what to look for if you want to choose wisely.

You'll also have noticed that the prices range from very reasonable to incredibly expensive - but the good side of that is you're sure to find a vintage saxophone to suit your budget.

How to buy a vintage saxophone on ebay
Follow these tips to avoid problems.

Many vintage saxopones will need an overhaul after purchase. The seller may state that the pads look fresh, or that the horn is in playing condition. but some these saxophones come right out of attics or musty basements. Often the pads will look OK to the seller - particularly if they themselves don't play sax.

Some vintage saxophones will even play after sitting in a cupboard for fifty years. The problem is , it won't play long. What looks like a good pad to the seller is any pad that has no teares or stains. Often pads will look as fresh as they did the day they were placed into storage (the attic).

After just a little play, the pads will start to tear and shread.. The corks are sometimes capable of surviving storage depending on the humidity levels . Cork is pretty tuff but can deteriate due to some molds. They do better in the attic than the basement.

Before buying a vintage saxophone you should factor in the cost of an overhaul. Brace yourself for a bill of about $300 but it could be less or (if you're unlucky) it could also be more.

Once you have studied the ad photos, the single most important questions to ask are: Do all the keys move freely and return quickly? Serial number? Are all parts original? Are there any resolders? Evidence of repair? Pitting corrosion? Dents? Is it a relacquer?

The main advice about buying a vintage saxophone online is to do your homework and get into a good dialog with the seller. Other than that, don't panic, take your time and get a good horn - you'll never regret it.

CONN VINTAGE SAXOPHONES

For over one hundred years, the name Conn has meant the very finest in American-made saxophones. The legendary models of the earlier part of the twentieth century are among the most prized and sought after among collectors and performers alike. As a tribute to the quality of construction and design, vintage Conn saxophones are often seen today in the hands of top professionals as the "instrument of choice", and many of the innovations first pioneered by the Conn company are found on instruments produced today by manufacturers around the world.

Popular Conn Vintage Saxophone models include the Chu Berry and the Conqueror series. Most experts reckon that a pre 1950's Conn vintage saxophone is still almost always a great buy.

Take a look at these Conn Vintage models below:

BUYING A SELMER VINTAGE SAXOPHONE

Many professional saxophonists agree that the best vintage saxophones were manufactured by the H. Selmer company in Paris, France. The reign of Selmer's domination of the professional saxophone market has spanned nearly 80 years.

Even online you'll find that Selmer Saxophones are expensive. Look around the dealers webpages - you may choose to go with one of them but without doubt the best buys are to be had online. Do your homework first then go for it with confidence.

Other good models to look for if you want to buy a vintage saxophone are those made by Buescher, Dolnet, Martin and Keilwerth.

Check out the items below.

Above all - when it comes to buying a vintage saxophone you will always need to accept a bit of a gamble, a bit of a risk !
But the joy of that first blow into a horn that was built to last many decades ago is almost too wonderful to put into words. Take the risk - go for it - blow up a storm. You'll never regret it.