CE Inc Professional Saxophone Consignment

In our opinion, there is no better way to get market value for your saxophone or any musical instrument (trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet, guitar, etc) than to sell it on consignment with a professional seller of musical instruments. If you are willing to wait on your price and aren’t looking for an immediate sale, consignment is the way to go.

(Please Note: If you are looking for immediate cash selling your instrument, or looking to consign, visit www.cashforsax.com and fill out the short form)

CE Inc maintains connections with some of the world’s premier buyers of rare musical instruments, as well as having the marketing experience to present your items to thousands of real buyers every month. Our reputation as being a leading musical instrument reseller gives the buyer the confidence to know that they are getting exactly what they paid for.

If you’ve ever tried to sell a saxophone through Craigslist, eBay, the newspaper, or any typical method, there is a good chance that the transaction didn’t go as smooth as you wanted, or that you just couldn’t meet the expectations of the buyer. As a company who has been collectively buying and selling instruments for several years, we still deal daily with the ups and downs of instrument sales.

Some sellers when presented with the ‘fee’ for consigning a musical instrument automatically reject the notion of selling on consignment because they often this that amount would be money in their pocket. Now we are not discounting the fact that it could be extra money in your pocket, but because of our own experiences, and also because we have met many sellers who have tried to sell their own instrument, that this is not usually the case.

We recently were contacted by an original owner of a Selmer Mark VI Tenor saxophone, all original condition, rarely played. His story was that he purchased the sax in the 60’s with the intentions of learning how to play. However, after giving up the idea of playing it, 40+ years later he decides it is time to sell. After listing the item several times on eBay and Craigslist, he wasn’t able to sell the item on his own.

His son in law contacted us because he had heard great things about our company and thought that his dad should use us to sell his instrument, so he arranged a phone meeting. Through our conversation, we learned that the seller was less than 100 miles away, and he decided to make a trip to Ft Myers in person with his super rare Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone. After verifying the condition and originality of the horn, we have him some estimates on what we feel the saxophone would sell for. Keep in mind his original asking price was within the range of what we thought the market would bring on this saxophone.

In less than 30 days, we were able to find a buyer for his prized Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone, who is absolutely thrilled with his purchase, and the seller was able to make nearly as much as he originally wanted (before fees), without all of the headaches (and high fees) of selling the item himself. It was a win-win-win situation for the seller (he ended up getting more in the end had he sold it on his own), for the buyer (he really got a rare item and a good price on it), and for us, because we not only retained the consignment fee for our services, but we were able to show another client that consignment is the way to go when selling saxophones or other musical instruments.

If you are interested in consigning your saxophone or other musical instrument, please visit our partner website at www.cashforsax.com, call us at 877-884-5244, or email us at info@cewinds.com!

Shipping address for consignments:

CE Inc - Consignments
2150 Collier Ave - Suite R
Ft Myers, FL 33901

Here is a list of our most recent consignments:

Buescher True Tone Silver Plate Straight Soprano Saxophone
CG Conn 10m Tenor Saxophone #326XXX
Selmer Paris Series 9 7 Rings Bb Clarinet
Martin Handcraft Committee Searchlight Skyline Tenor Saxophone
Selmer Paris Mark VI Soprano Saxophone #295XXX
Selmer Paris Mark VII Tenor Saxophone #274XXX
Selmer Paris Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Silver Plate #103XXX
Selmer Paris Short Shank E Facing Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Selmer Paris Short Shank C* Soloist Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Vintage Selmer Paris New Large Bore Alto Saxophone
Beechler Hard Rubber Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Vintage Meyer Brothers New York 4m Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Selmer Paris Mark VI Alto Saxophone - #61XXX
Selmer Paris Mark VI Tenor Saxophone - #103XXX
Yamaha YAS 23 Alto Saxophone
Viking Legend Straight Soprano Curved Neck One Piece
Selmer Paris Mark VI Alto Saxophone #169XXX
Vintage Brillhart 5* Tonalin Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Selmer Paris S80 C** Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Rene Duval Alto Saxophone
Vintage Selmer Paris Mark VI Soprano Saxophone #198XXX

3 Reasons why CE Winds does not accept returns on used & vintage saxophones

We have a very generous return policy on CE Winds brand saxophones and saxophone accessories. Our return policy is 14 days (from the day you receive the item) for saxophones and musical instruments, and 7 days for accessories such as saxophone mouthpieces.

With used and vintage saxophones, we have a much different policy. The 3 reasons for this policy are for 1) protection of buyers, 2) protection of consignment sellers, 3) protection of our company.

Protecting the buyer

When looking online for a saxophone or saxophone accessory, it can be very confusing for anyone, especially when you are not sure what you are looking for. I get many of calls from parents of school age students that have no idea what they are looking for, other than “well, his band teacher said, ‘…’”, etc. I felt this way when I took my 4 year old daughter shopping for ballet slippers, a leotard, tights, and a tutu. I was so confused, and I needed to ask a professional or someone with much more experience for help.

We encourage customers to call us (877-884-5244) or email us (info@cewinds.com) before they make a purchase of a vintage or used saxophone or saxophone accessory. Just a few questions will help us determine if this is in fact the right musical instrument for you. If it is not, we will give you recommendations of other instruments or accessories you should look at, even if we don’t have that item in stock and you have to purchase it somewhere else.

This advice can save you money on shipping and insurance, and time when realizing that you made a purchase of a saxophone or saxophone accessory that just doesn’t work for you.

Protecting the consignment seller

When a client sends us a saxophone to sell on their behalf, their protection becomes as much of a priority for us as protecting our own interests in business. Any business that is successful has to protect itself, or they just won’t stay in business very long.

There are risks in shipping saxophone across the country, even more so when sending a saxophone outside of the United States. We only want to send a saxophone to a customer when they are 100% sure that that is the saxophone that they want.

Protecting our company

Like when selling items for a consignment seller, we also need to protect our interests as a company to make sure that we can continue to provide our clients with the best deals possible, as well as some of the rarest and hard to find saxophones in the world.

Many people want a Selmer Paris Mark VI, and many people have never played one, or don’t know why they want one, it’s what saxophone players are told that they want at a very young age. My dad started looking for a Mark VI alto saxophone for me when I was in 8^th grade; I had never even played one, or saw one in person for that matter. Even back then, they were pretty expensive (not nearly as expensive as they are today); it was hard for him, as a wise parent, to justify that kind of purchase. So many young saxophone players are like that today, and for a student that is serious about pursuing music as a career, it is hard for parents to resist the urge to ‘get the best instrument’ for their child.

Now, please don’t take this statement the wrong way, especially to you, the Selmer Mark VI ‘die hards’, although the Mark VI is a great sax, it may not be the sax you need to have a meaningful experience or successful career playing saxophone. Now, like we say with all saxophones, if you can afford it, by all means, get it if that is what you really want! However, for most people, we can probably recommend many other saxophones that will suit your needs just find, and help you or your child excel as a musician.

The point of what I am saying is that, the reason we offer a No Return policy on vintage and used saxophones, is that we want you to be 100% sure that this is the saxophone that you want BEFORE YOU BUY IT, and that a parent isn’t putting $5,000 on a credit card when they can’t afford it, just so their child can try one of the saxophones out for a few weeks.

So much can happen to a saxophone in just a few weeks, and many of the used and vintage saxophones that we sell are rare and irreplaceable, and we just can’t allow our customers to take that chance, nor as a business can we afford to have that liability.

For example, when we used to allow returns, we had a customer that ordered a Mark VI alto saxophone from us. He was in the US, and it seemed in all ways that it was going to be a very good transaction for both sides. The day he got the sax he sent me an email (that I still have) that he got the sax, and that he spent a few minutes with the sax and it played nicely, and he will be playing it again later. However, later, when he returned to the saxophone, he ‘noticed’ that the bell and bell keys were out of whack. He called me and let me know about this and then he sent me some pictures. Needless to say, I was very confused. Looking at the pics, there is NO WAY that the sax could have played nicely, like his email told me, with the damage I saw. He insisted that he wanted to send the horn back to us, claiming it must have been damaged in shipping. Customer service is the pride of our company, so we allowed the return in hops to make the repair and save the sale. Besides, we trusted this customer enough to send him the sax, pro bono, so he could give it a test run, he did give me a credit card that I authorized for the transaction, and to cover the shipping charge.

Well, we got the sax back, and our very accomplished saxophone tech took one look at the sax and said there is no way this sax was damaged in shipping and that it took a drop or some other impact that turned the bell and bent the bell lip. I did contact the customer to let him know the findings, and he was pretty defensive, and also said that he didn’t want the saxophone anymore.

So, we were stuck with the cost of making the repair on the sax, AND we had to sell the saxophone at a lower price because of the repairs that were made (even though our tech did a phenomenal job making the repairs, we felt it was necessary to disclose the damage before the sale).

Many sellers of vintage saxophones and saxophone accessories do not accept returns, and the few that do will say ‘do not trust a company that does not allow you a return policy on used saxophones’. I disagree with that statement wholeheartedly. As a company, Christopher Elliott Inc and CE Winds has built a solid reputation in new, used, and vintage saxophone sales, and our record stands for itself. The fact is, when customers purchase saxophones and other musical instruments from our company, they know exactly what they are getting because we photograph every angle of the saxophone, describe it accurately, we often post a video of the actual saxophone being played, and most importantly, we answer the phone when you call (or promptly return calls if you leave a message), and return emails when you write us with questions about the instrument you are interested in purchasing. This is an email that I just received this morning (01/31/2013) from a satisfied customer:

Hi Brian,

Took delivery on the 1940s Martin Alto today.  The horn came undamaged, packed snugly.  It looks and plays as described, and I'm extremely happy with it in all ways.  Thanks for a terrific transaction.  I will recommend CE Winds to my students and friends, and I look forward to doing business again in the future.

Thanks,

CK, Phd

This is why we are in business, and his word of mouth recommendation means more to us than any advertising we would ever have to pay for.

So trust CE Winds with your saxophone or saxophone accessory purchase, and you won’t have to worry about returning your purchase!

Peace,

Brian S
CE Winds

Packing and shipping a saxophone

Over the last few years, we have experienced an increase in customers wanting to sell their saxophones to us, or wanting to sell them on consignment, and there is always the question – “Well, how do I get this saxophone to you?”

Keep in mind, there is no sure-proof way to send your saxophone by mail that 100% prevents it from being damaged, but there are things that you can do to greatly reduce the odds. If you plan on packing and shipping your saxophone, here are a few steps that you should take to prevent damage while in transit:

Find Proper Shipping Materials

1)      The Box: Please use a box. (Yes, I have to say it, you don’t know how many saxes we have received with tape over the latches and a shipping label stuck to the case). The best way to ship a saxophone is in a box that is slightly larger than the case, about 2-4 inches on each side. We ship alto saxophones in a 30 x 14 x 12 box, and we ship tenor saxophones in a 36 x 16 x 14 box. We purchase these boxes from Uline, but that may not be convenient for you because we buy these boxes in bulk. You can make a box out of a large sheet of cardboard, and you can combine smaller boxes to make a larger box, if needed. Packing / shipping tape will be your best friend if you need to make a box.

2)      Packing Materials: You don’t need to go out and buy expensive packing peanuts or bubble wrap for the packing materials, but if you happen to have some, either one will work great. Newspaper is a great, affordable option for a packing material.

3)      Packing / Shipping Tape: 1.7 Mil tape is good enough to use. You can buy a roll at any office supply store for just a few dollars.

Preparing the saxophone

Locate any loose items inside the saxophone case (saxophone neck, saxophone mouthpieces, saxophone reeds, mouthpiece ligature, saxophone neck strap, etc), and wrap them either in bubble wrap or newspaper and tape the entire roll closed so nothing falls out. This can either be placed in the compartment of the saxophone case or in the bell of the saxophone if there is no compartment.

If possible, wedge down the keys of the saxophone so that they are all closed. You can use wine corks or pieces of foam to wedge these shut. If you understand the mechanics of the saxophone, it should be easy for you to find the places where the cork should be inserted to keep the keys down. If you do not understand the mechanics of a saxophone, you will just use a little bit of extra packing material in the next step.

Packing the saxophone (inside the case)

Place a few pieces of newspaper in the bottom of the saxophone case, and gently place the saxophone properly in its case. You can also wrap the saxophone in a layer of 3/16” bubble wrap and place the saxophone in the case. Crumple up newspaper and gently stuff it in any open space inside the case between the saxophone and the inside edges of the case, or use bubble wrap to fill in these spaces. This keeps the saxophone from moving inside the case.

Once the item looks secure, gently close the lid of the saxophone. It is best if you have to put some light pressure on the outside of the case to close it, because that means that the saxophone is packed tightly. You do not want to have to press hard on the lid of the case because this will cause damage to the saxophone. Likewise, if the case closes on it’s own with no pressure, you will probably want to add some more padding inside the case so the saxophone does not shift around in the case.

Once the lid is latched shut, give the sax a little shake to make sure it is secure. If you do not feel or hear anything move inside the saxophone case, you are now ready to put the saxophone in the box.

Packing the saxophone (inside the box)

Basically, the same principle applies here. You want 4eh saxophone case to be snug inside of your box to prevent it from shifting in transit. Plus the greater the density of the package, the lower the possibility of the saxophone being crushed or compressed (even when the shipping company does not follow the instructions of what we will write on the box.

Place a few inches of packing materials in the bottom of the box. Place the saxophone inside the box and fill in all spaces with crumpled newspaper or bubble wrap, or packing peanuts.

When closing the lid of the box, you should have to gently press on the box lids to close them. If they close needing too much force, you have too much packing materials inside the case, if no force is needed, you do not have enough.

Proceed by taping the box shut by going across the seam as well as with the seam to create a sure seal for the box.

Write several times (on all sides) on the outside of the box in a large permanent marker “PLEASE DO NOT STACK” and “FRAGILE”. Again, this may not prevent it from being placed on the bottom of the pile or tossed on or off the truck, but at least you did your part.

Purchasing the postage

Shipping a saxophone is very easy. Buying postage online and scheduling a pick up is so much easier, and much more affordable, than going to the post office to try and ship a saxophone. To do this though, you need the dimensions and the weight of the package. If you do not have any scales in your house, you can either estimate the weight. We estimate that a packed alto saxophone weighs about 16-20 lbs with a case, and a packed tenor saxophone weighs 20-24 lbs with a case. It is better to go high than too low, because if the weight is too low, then the package will be returned. We also suggest that if you buy postage online, that you schedule the pickup rather than bring it somewhere to drop it off, but if dropping it off is the only option for you, then this is OK.

95% of our shipments ship through the USPS because they are a much more convenient and affordable service for our company. 9 out of 10 shipments go by USPS Priority, and we also use Parcel Post Occasionally. UPS Ground is a great option if the shipment is in state, because UPS Ground has next day delivery when used to ship a package to an address in your same state.

We insure packages at replacement value. It may seem unnecessary, but shipping companies lose packages! (It doesn’t happen too often, but it does happen). Insure it for what you expect to be reimbursed if it does get lost, or damaged. You don’t need to purchase insurance, but we recommend it if you want the shipper to be held accountable. If you use a “pack and ship” business to ship your saxophone, in most cases insurance and a “guarantee” is placed on the package because you hired them to pack the sax, but it does cost more money for these options.

Signature required is a good option, but you want to ship by a traceable method so that way you can see the progress of your item to make sure it arrives at its destination.

If you have any questions on packing and shipping your saxophone, please contact us and we will be glad to assist you!

Brian S
Christopher Elliott LLC

After Market Saxophone Neck – What can they do for you?

As calls and emails come in from musicians or musicians parents looking to upgrade their saxophone ‘on a budget’, I will spend some time with them discussing their current saxophone set up. If a new saxophone is more of a need than a want, then buying a new (or used) saxophone isn’t always necessary. I always want to know why they are looking for a new saxophone because I want to try to same them some money, if possible. One of the ways to improve your saxophones is not only exploring the mouthpiece which can help you change the character of your sound, but look at after market saxophone necks to help improve performance and tone of your current saxophone.

A few things I always ask our clients are; A) What saxophone are you playing? B) How long have you had it, did you buy it new/used? C) When was the last time the instrument was serviced? D) What is the mouthpiece you are using? E) Have you tried any after market necks or another saxophone?

We can usually pinpoint the best solutions/options for you based on these simple questions, and the best option may not be to buy a new saxophone, but may lead to just needing a neck, a quick adjustment, or a new saxophone mouthpiece. It may also lead us to the conclusion that you do in fact need a new instrument, which is OK because we usually have very affordable options for our customers.

About CE Winds after market Saxophone Necks

The most economical and effective saxophone necks in the market are the CE Winds Powertone necks, sold by CEWinds.com. The Powertone saxophone necks are made for soprano (straight, curved and saxello style), alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. These Powertone saxophone necks come in several finishes, including Gold Lacquer, Gold Plated and Silver Plated. We offer three different alloys for our saxophone necks, brass, red brass (bronze) and nickel, which we feel allows you to explore different sounds for your saxophones and find the ones best suited for many playing situations. Need warmth? Try a Red Brass (bronze) alloy over lacquer. Need Brightness? Silver plated nickel. Classic? Try the Gold Plated or Gold Lacquer over brass. **

Baritone Saxophone Necks

We offer one model of baritone saxophone necks primarily made to fit Selmer, Yamaha< Keilwerth and Yanagisawa Style bari saxes, also including CE Winds Alpha, A2, and Pro Series saxophones. We do not currently offer a baritone saxophone neck with the octave mechanism attached to the baritone saxophone neck, only bari sax necks without the octave mechanism. We have plans to release a new model with the octave mechanism in 2013.

Alto & Tenor Saxophone Necks

Our CE Winds Powertone Soprano, Alto & Tenor Saxophone necks generally are a great fit for either Yamaha or Selmer style saxophone necks, but they have been fit for several saxophones. These are also great with many vintage saxophones where the neck is causing intonation issues or not performing well. We have heard countless stories from customers about how one of our CE Winds aftermarket necks have improved the performance and sound of vintage saxophones, namely the Selmer Mark VI, Selmer Super Action 80’s, The Martin’s, Conn’s.

Because of manufacturing differences from saxophone to saxophone, even within the same brand, all of the necks above generally need to be fit by experienced technicians, but in many cases, they work well right out of the box.

We also have in inventory many saxophone necks which we consider B Stock items, that may have a cosmetic blemish to keep the cost well below the normal MSRP.

If you ever have any questions regarding your current saxophone, or are needing a replacement neck for your (or your students) saxophone, please do not hesitate to call or email us, we would be glad to help.

Peace,

Brian S
CE Winds
877-884-5244

brians@cewinds.com

** There is no scientific evidence to suggest that different alloys and different plating will change your sound. This information is based on our own market research, by consensus; many musicians agreed changing that alloy and finish did make a noticeable difference acoustically in their sound. We suggest experimenting on your own to come to your own conclusion. Our CE Winds Powertone necks come with a free 7 day trial, risk free. Try one today!

Why your kid will quit band, and others won’t.

I’m a parent of three children. None are of the age to seriously begin playing an instrument (4, 3 and 1). In my household, there is a good chance that each of them will learn to play something (hopefully saxophone, piano, and/or guitar). If not, I’m OK, but if they do, I’m pretty positive they will not quit. Why is that? As a student I was able to learn from my parents example, which is why both my sister and I played (excelled at actually) our instruments all the way through high school, and for myself, into college.

I speak to parents on a regular basis, and my number one advice for them is always this: it doesn’t matter what ‘brand’ you buy your kids (although CE Winds has my favor and stamp of approval), just make sure that it plays right from the beginning, and does not hinder your child from being able to play everything they need to play. When visiting with some very talented high school saxophone players recently in Miami, during an event for the Gold Coast Jazz Society, we brought some CE Winds Pro Series saxophones; tenor, alto, and soprano, along with us to let some of the kids try them out. In example after example, the kids were able to pick up our instruments and do things they were never able to do before on their own instruments. Even though these young musicians were very talented, their equipment was keeping them back. One even commented on how frustrated he was with himself that he couldn’t play certain things, but then was so relieved that he could, knowing it was just that his sax was holding him back the entire time.

Regular maintenance is necessary, not optional

This leads us into the next important step; keep the instrument properly serviced, at least every six months, but no less than once per year. This is so vital, because, student instruments generally take a lot of abuse, every day, and although they should be built well to withstand day to day abuse, they still need to be serviced.

Reinvest into their gift

As your student progresses, so should their equipment; the mouthpiece, the reeds, and perhaps, the instrument. By changing things up you will really keep them interested longer. Don’t go crazy and buy the most expensive mouthpieces in the market, but do some research and let them try some different models out, and different reed combinations. This is the reason we offer a consultation on mouthpieces; it helps the parents, and students, pick the right mouthpiece for them to meet their needs. It makes so much sense to not lose your entire investment by not reinvesting into their talent. It needs to be fresh, and it needs to be exciting.

Support means more than anything

And finally, and this has nothing to do with their ability, just be there for them. When I talk with parents who are really into ‘being there’ for the kids, taking them to competitions, watching them play or practice, just encouraging them, it makes a HUGE difference on whether they keep playing, or quit.

There are cases where them playing is just a lost cause, but perhaps it’s because they have been trying the wrong instrument. Once good thing to ask BEFORE they start to learn to play is why they picked that instrument. Did they pick it, did the band director pick it for them, or did the ‘economy’ pick it? If they did not pick it themselves, then they will immediately lose some of the passion for playing. If the band director picked it for them, talk to the band director and ask them why they did not allow your child to play their instrument of choice. If the economy picked it (because of the cost of instruments) then call us (877-884-5244) or another expert in buying/selling musical instruments. There are always options and answers, and we can help you find answers.

Peace,

Brian S
President, CE Winds

Over the last several years, Christopher Elliott LLC has seen and sold some of the finest & rarest examples of Selmer Paris Mark VI Saxophones in the world today. Some are being used by real ‘professional’ players; some were only purchased as museum/collector pieces by some of the worlds most renowned saxophone collectors. Needless to say, although we would decline to call ourselves 'experts' on the Selmer Paris Mark VI Saxophone, we have seen enough of them in every condition to begin to understand the mystery behind these instruments.

Selmer Paris Mark VI Saxophones - Are they the best saxophone out there?

This is ALWAYS a matter of opinion... just because something is the most expensive doesn't always mean it's the best. However, there is something to say about the prestige that comes with owning a Selmer Paris Mark VI Saxophone that really sets this horn apart from the others.

For saxophone players, especially (us) male (egotistical) saxophone players, the Selmer Paris Mark VI Saxophone is the considered the king of the hill and the ultimate status symbol. Funny enough, some sax players who own Mark VI's will tell you they play one without you even asking, almost their way of entering into conversation with you so they can talk about their horns.

When I was a younger sax player, I was also hypnotized by the Selmer Mark VI mystique, and wanted one with all of my heart – even though I had never played one. I just thought that if I owned one, with my natural talent, I could be the best saxophone player in the world! Had I gotten one at a young age, there is the chance that owning it would have catapulted me into a more passionate desire to learn to play, and I could have been the best saxophone player in the world. However, even back then, the average Selmer Paris Mark VI alto saxophone would cost (my parents) around $2,500-3,500, a steep price even for a very talented young saxophone player. I stuck it out with my Yamaha YAS 23, it worked… but I still wanted one.

That’s the thing about these saxophones that I think people miss. The actual horn, even though it does have a certain feel and sound about it, is only going to make an average player sound average, perhaps with a twist, and a great player sound just as great. The Mark VI doesn’t make you play any better, BUT it may just make you better, because you feel like (in your mind) you are playing the best saxophone ever made!

Does that make it worth buying one? For some, it may. That may be the thing they need to get out of a funk – playing saxophone has a lot to with your mind, and if you change your thoughts about what you are playing, well, you never know. So if playing a Selmer Mark VI gives you a boost in confidence, then it may be the catalyst that propels you into a great future of playing.

What is the actual value of a Mark VI, should you buy one, what should you look for and what should you pay?

What is the actual value of a Mark VI?

The value of these saxophones jumps all over the board depending on several factors.

The first thing you need to take into consideration first is the year it was made - the earlier the year the higher the value. You can always tell by looking at the serial number. They start generally between 55,000 (1954) and end around 220,000 (1973).

The next thing we look at when determining value is originality of the finish. The finish of the Selmer Paris Mark VI, or any other saxophone, is the biggest deciding factor when an investor is buying a sax for their collection, and they only look for and purchase items that have the original factory finish. I’m not going to get into what is or isn’t original factory finish, that is something we usually need to see in person to determine, but sometimes we can look at pictures and tell if it has the possibility of being original finish, or if it has at some point been re-lacquered. There are also some deceptive signs that could make you feel a sax is original or not, but again, finish is best determined in person by an expert.

Again, on finish, we look to see what type of finish it is, and also how much is remaining. The three major finishes we look for are Gold Plating, Silver Plating, and the most common, lacquer. For finish remaining, this is done based on percentages, and a guesstimate. If there is no lacquer or plating wear, and there are maybe just a few surface scratches, we would consider that 99-100% finish remaining. Lacquer or plating wear in the usual spots would usually get a rating of 80-90%, more used or worn saxes would usually see 30-70% of their lacquer finish or plating remaining. When you see a saxophone that has less than 30% of the lacquer remaining, we usually make the determination that at some point the lacquer was stripped and buffed off, making it a non original factory finish.

Now we go to body condition. When a saxophone has more original lacquer or plating remaining, then we can usually also guess that there has been minimal repairs on that instrument. Most saxophones that are used regularly will have some visible signs of use, and/or repairs done. If the instrument has all the original parts, nothing has been soldered or repaired; we give the instrument a much higher grade. Any large dents that have been removed will be noticeable, but small dings and such can usually be taken out without much physical evidence. Any solder or repair is looked at closely to see if there is any structural damage that would keep the instrument from performing properly, and each visible repair takes a little off the total value of the instrument.

Along with body condition, we look for matching parts as well as the case. More original horns in great condition will also have the matching neck and the proper case, also in great condition. Some Mark VI’s have a matching serial number stamped to the neck and to the body, so we will always check for that. If the neck does not have a stamp, it does not mean it is not original, but there are a few things we look at to determine whether or not it is the original neck that came with the saxophone. Often times, the factories or dealers switched the necks out at the time of purchase, so it may have been purchased with what you thought was the original neck, but in fact it wasn’t the neck that was made to go on the saxophone. Not having the original neck affects the overall value of the saxophone as well.

Should you buy a Selmer Paris Mark VI Saxophone?

I’m not going to say you shouldn’t, but your budget is the most important deciding factor on whether or not you should own a Selmer Paris Mark VI saxophone. If you have the available money to spend $2,500-$13,000 on the saxophone of your dreams, then by all means do buy it if it IS in fact the horn of your dreams. Don’t buy one though if you cannot afford one, have never played one and think it is going to make you a better player, if you aren’t dealing with a reputable company to make your purchase from.

We generally have a NO RETURN policy when it comes to Selmer Mark VI saxophones, and it is not because we are trying to sell something that we aren’t willing to stand behind. We stand behind every saxophone or musical instrument we sell. However, because of the sheer value of these instruments, we don’t want to be responsible for affecting the value of the instrument as it is in transit, or while it is in our customers hands. Anything can happen, and if we accepted these back for refunds, we are taking the ultimate risk because there is a chance that the value of the instrument can change between hands, ours and our customers. Before we sell a Selmer Paris Mark VI, we ALWAYS make sure that that is the saxophone the person wants for the right reasons, and not allowing a return policy we know that the person is serious about owning a Mark VI saxophone.

What should I look for and what should I pay when buying a Selmer Mark VI saxophone?

First thing to do is play it. Don’t let that be the only determining factor on buying a particular sax, but it can be important. In some cases, you can’t play the sax first, (i.e. when working with an online seller like us), but if you can play it in person first, do so.

You need to know what you are buying, and have your research done. Just because you see MARK VI ® on the bell to bow brace doesn’t automatically mean you should pay top dollar for the instrument. Look at all the factors we use when determining the value of the instrument and check out the market and see what else is out there in the price range you are willing to pay.

Once you put your budget together you will find that there are probably many more options than you originally thought, and set your goal that you will get the best saxophone available for what you can spend, even if it means that you spend less than you originally intended.

We work with people on a daily basis trying to get them the best saxophone for their money. If you ever have any questions regarding the value of a Selmer Paris Mark VI Saxophone, or need help finding one or buying one, please don’t hesitate to call us at 877-884-5244, or email us at info@cewinds.com. We just love to help people find the right instrument for them.

We hope this information on the Selmer Paris Mark VI helps you understand the instrument a little better. In the meantime, feel free to look at our inventory of Selmer Paris Mark VI saxophones.

Peace to you,

Brian S
Christopher Elliott LLC
CE Winds
904.996.9312

Finding a qualified tech - what to look for and what to ask

We work with tech nationwide, directly through our own contact, or through our customers. We have found some very good techs, and some, well, you know. This is a BIG grey area for parents because often times they aren’t musicians, and really have no idea why their child’s instrument isn’t working, or how to find a qualified tech to fix it. In this article I hope we can give you some good tips and questions to ask when making your calls or visiting the shops.

One thing that really drives me nuts when I hear it is when a tech says “I won’t work on Chinese instruments”. Big red flag for me. That is a very old fashioned way to think, I feel, and would lead me to believe that: a) they have some skepticism which leads to a stereotype regarding Chinese made instruments (because there are some very poorly made ones in the market) b) that they don’t realize that there are some very GOOD Chinese made instruments c) They are too busy to take the time to fix them d) they have so much business that they don’t need you as a customer. I would say walk away, fast, if you hear this. There aren’t too many left that will say this, but yes, there are some.

Ask them their ‘specialty’. Some of the techs we use excel in body work, others in saxophones, or in flutes, or even brass instruments. All are very capable of fixing other instruments, but most have an area or few areas that they excel in. If your child plays trumpet, you will want to find someone who really knows that instrument inside and out. The reason for this is that they can usually pinpoint the problem much faster if that is their specialty, and also provided you with a completed repair that meets their needs if it was ‘their’ instrument. And if it’s good enough for them, in most cases you’ll be thrilled with the results.

See if you can get a client list from them. Do they do work for any schools in your area, any local pro’s or notable musicians? The tech that does a lot of work for schools CAN be busy, but usually they know the most and have to be the most knowledgeable and creative with repairs, because kids do the darndest things to their instruments…. The tech who works on some of the local pros can be a little more expensive, and sometimes busy, but if a pro trusts them, then there is a good chance you can too.

Last but not least, see if you can get a written estimate. Usually a tech can look at an instrument and tell you what is going to be needed, and give you a quote on the spot. With a written estimate, if you have the ability, you can shop the quote around. Sometimes I have gone with the higher price because the turnaround time was faster; sometimes I have gone with the least expensive quote because I didn’t need the instrument immediately. Sometimes I have told the tech “I have this much to spend, what can you do?”.

In the meantime, if you ever have any questions regarding a tech, or need some help finding one, you can always contact us and we will be glad to help. Email info@cewinds.com or call 877-884-5244.

Finding success selling on eBay, even in this tough market

In the late 90’s when eBay became a public company, and the popularity of the website (an the internet in general) was growing rapidly, I was beginning my career as a marketing professional, and I was the youngest on a team of very experienced marketers set up with the task of figuring out how to help people become successful selling on eBay, and using eBay to promote their own businesses. (So much has changed)

Fast forward 8 years (to 2006) when Christopher Elliott Inc began selling saxophones and other musical instruments on eBay, we were able to take those foundational teachings we used for many years for other businesses, and help to build our own personal brand of saxophones and saxophone accessories, named CE Winds, as well as sell some of the finest new, used and vintage saxophones and other musical instruments in the industry.

Now in 2011, 5 years after the official incorporating of Christopher Elliott LLC, we continually find ourselves in need of reinventing strategies to have a successful selling experience on eBay, due to the rough waters the saxophone and instrument market has taken on over the last few years.

Since entering the market, we feel as a company we have raised the bar when it comes to internet sellers of musical instruments on eBay. We may be one of the most ‘looked’ after saxophone and musical instrument companies out there because of the immediate and evolving impact we have made in the market; and some of our competitors aren’t as excited as us about our sudden rise to success in this industry.

So with that out of the way, let’s let you in on a few methods that have helped us find our way though eBay.

Presentation – Presentation is everything, this strategy has never changed, never will, and it all starts with the saxophone (or any item) that you are listing for sale. The first thing you need to do is get out that polishing cloth and use some elbow grease. Remember what attracted to you to that instrument? It sure wasn’t the green spit spots, or the black tarnish, or the fingerprints. I feel it the nature of saxophone players to have this ‘visual appeal’, meaning they picture themselves with the instrument long before ever picking it up. Who wants to envision themselves with a dirty sax? No me, sorry. If you aren’t going to keep it clean while you are playing it, please just clean it before you sell it.

Photographing – So many times I’ve looked at a saxophone ad on craigslist and eBay, and couldn’t even tell I was looking at a saxophone in the picture! What’s up with the blurry camera phone photo’s taken at midnight in a dark closet? With the affordable technology these days, and access to so many ‘smart phones’ with high mega pixel cameras, there is little excuse for taking poor pictures. Our suggestion and rule of practice, it take pictures in adequate light (so you don’t need to use the flash), and capture shots of the whole saxophone, the accessories included (close-ups if possible), a close up of the neck, the serial number, the bell, and the bell logo. We try to capture any and every angle of the saxophone so that way buyers can see what they are getting very clearly before they bid (even if we miss something in the description, it will be in the pictures) Which brings us to our next step….

Description – When describing a saxophone to list for sale, the pictures will answer a lot of questions for your buyers, BUT, writing a clear, concise description is important. Here are the things we look for in order to make an educated decision about purchasing: Brand name, model, serial number (or partial serial number). If we don’t see it in your listing and we are interested in bidding, we will email you and ask (which I will talk more about later).

It is not that important that you know how to play it, in our opinion. We don’t mind if you bought it at a garage sale or if it was your great uncles and it was passed down to you. Unless otherwise noted, we are going to assume it needs some work done to it and bid accordingly.

Something that we can’t tell in the pictures, and we feel is important to describe, is what we call the key action. Do all the keys function properly? What buyers are looking for is that the keys are not binding, or bent, or broke. Just run through the keys and push them all, and write a brief description of what you found out.

Remember, pictures are worth a thousand words, so it is better to have many photos if you are going to have few words.

Communication – If you are going to take the time and effort of listing an item on eBay, then PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take the time to answer questions about your item. Make yourself available to others when they need to know something about your item, especially during the last 3-12 hours of an auction. Because of the way items are listed, and also because of the practice of ‘sniping’, your saxophone auction will generally receive the majority of the questions (and bids) during this time.

If, while listing your saxophone on eBay, you ever have any questions, or you have just decided you don’t’ want to or have the time needed to list the item yourself on eBay, we will make ourselves available to help you in any way possible, whether helping you get it listed with some good advice, listing it for you on consignment, or even buying it from you for a fast/guaranteed sale. You can contact us by phone M-F from 9am-5pm EST, at 877-884-5244 or anytime by email at info@cewinds.com.

We hope that you find great success selling your saxophone on eBay!

Brian S
CE Winds
info@cewinds.om

Eating healthy is something most people, musicians, take for granted. A professional musician is on the go all the time. Usually the food is provided at the events, or your practice schedule or rehearsals are for hours on end, and it's hard to just 'take a break' when you are in the groove. More importantly, high school students, college students, and young musicians, who are bombarded with low cost options like fast food and junk food, should seriously consider their diet at a young age, which will help them continue to pursue their dreams in the professional musician job market.

One of the main reasons to start eating healthy young is health insurance. It is EXPENSIVE. My wife and I at one point were paying over $1,200 per month for a family of 5. That was more than my mortgage and association fee COMBINED! Just to insure yourself at a young age would cost you $150-300 per month. As a professional musician just starting off your career, there is a good chance that buying health insurance will be one of the last things on your list, because you will need to pay your rent/mortgage, utilities, and food. IF you make healthy choices during meal time, you will greatly reduce your chances of even catching a common cold, let alone a more serious illness.

People often say to me ‘well, eating organic is more expensive than getting a value meal”… that could not be more untrue. Sure, the cost of eating organic or whole foods may cost you more in the grocery store, but the truth is, you will find you will actually buy less of it because your body is satisfied on a lower amount of food. The second reason, and this is a big one, whether you have or don’t have health insurance, it is going to cost you MUCH more in medical expenses treating you for ailments that are usually caused by GMO (genetically modified organisms) or GE (genetically engineered) foods.

Now I’m not vegan, not a 100% vegetarian, my wife calls me more of a ‘flexitarian’. I generally do not eat meat, but when I do I am contentious to what I am eating. I know there are times when I am going to have to eat what was provided me, and that to me is OK, but for the most part, I want to make sure that I am treating myself in a way that helps my body run to its fullest potential. Have you ever gotten ‘bad gas’ in your car? Well, eating bad food is like putting bad gas in your body, and may cause it too… then who is going to want to share a stage with you then, or record in a small studio… hmmmm.

If you want to be the best professional musician you can be, or the best in any profession, eating healthy should be a top priority in your life.

Brian Seltz

President

CE Winds