Jazz-Sax.Com

Saxy Beast writes “My friend’s dad bought an old silver Conn Chu-Berry alto about 30 years ago. It has “patented 1914″ on the side. I was able to find out that the patent was for the rolled tone holes. The sax has the original (I think) case, mouthpiece, and lyre.

The screw that holds the neck on doesn’t turn enough to fully hold the neck in place, and the neck will need re-corking as the mouthpiece doesn’t properly fit. I can imagine that the pads are at least 40 years old, but they might be original as well.

Does any one know how much it would cost (roughly) to have the necessary repairs done? And when they are done, what would the value be? I’m interested in buying it from him, so I’d Like to have a price. Keep in mind that he payed $80 for it 30 years ago. Feel free to email me (tweso@earthlink.net) or post a reply if you have any info. Thanks.”

A complete overhaul in the San Francisco Bay Area is going to run about $600. An overhaul would put all new pads, springs, corks, etc, on the horn.

That being said, is it worth it? Well, it depends I guess. I for one would probably go for it as the horn probably has a good chance of play very well after an overhaul. I had a Haynes Flute (closed hole, 1940′s era) that I had overhauled a couple of years ago. Wow, it’s become my primary flute (over my trusty Yamaha 581). AND, when I was in high school (back in the day), I had an old Martin Tenor (1940s model again) overhauled, and it became my primary horn, supplanting my Selmer Super Action 80 Series II that I owned.

So, if you have the money, odds are that you’ll probably be happy with the horn after a good overhaul.