Basic Saxophone Question List for Online Shopping

1. Is the horn in good playing condition?
2. If #1 is "Yes,"  does the horn play reasonably well in tune in all of the registers?
3. What is the exact serial number (on the bell)?
4. Is there a matching serial number on the neck piece?
5. What is the model name or number (on the bell)?
6. How long have you had the saxophone?
7. Who owned it before you?
8. Has the horn been played regularly, or has it been sitting for an extended period of time?
9. Has the horn ever been seriously damaged?
10. Has the horn ever had dents removed?  If it has there will probably be vertical lines of distortion in the lacquer, if it's a lacquered horn.
11. Does the horn currently have dents?  If so, please describe them with respect to size and location.
12. Does the horn still have its original, factory finish?
13. What percentage of the finish is still intact?
14. When was the last complete service and re-pad?
15. Are there any missing, damaged or worn pads, corks, or felts?
16. Are there any missing, unhooked, or maladjusted keys or springs?
17. Are there any missing screws?
18. Are any of the rods bent or loose or wobbly?
19. Is there any corrosion, rust, or accumulated reside in the neckpiece, on the horn itself, on the key mechanisms, in the tone holes (under the key pads), or in the bell?
20. Do the pads stick or the keys rattle when the keys are pressed?
21. Are any of the tone holes bent or damaged or unsoldered?
22. Is the body straight and look like a perfect cone or does it veer off to one side or the other?
23. Are there any cracks, especially on inside seams in the bell or the neckpiece?
24. Why are you selling this horn?
25. How did you determine the value of the horn?
26. Do you know any specific information such as manufacture date?  If so, where did you get this information?

REMEMBER
YOUR LOCAL MUSICIANS, TEACHERS, AND MUSIC STORES
CAN BE EXTRAORDINALLY HELPFUL
IN DECIDING ON WHAT HORN(S) TO PURCHASE,
REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER YOU SEE THEM AS SAINTS OR SINNERS!