[Dixielandjazz] C sax was Stan McDonald

Mon Mar 10 10:36:43 PDT 2008

> You will easily find my old Conn C Soprano Sax -- current bid $700.
__________________________________________________________

It's interesting how much C saxes bring today.  A few years ago they were 
pretty much worthless but they seem to bring pretty good prices on e-bay in 
almost any condition.  I completely restored a 1923 Buescher tenor a few 
years ago and it cost about $650 and would have been more if there were any 
dents.

Considering most of these horns haven't seen a repair shop since the 30's 
and are costing anywhere between $350 and $700+ then spending another couple 
of hundred on restoration would seem to not make sense.  One would wonder 
what people are doing with them?  There aren't that many authentic 20-30's 
bands around that would require the rather unique sound of the C to warrant 
what seems to be the increased interest in the instrument.

At one time transposed sheet music wasn't readily available and the idea was 
that people could play in their parlors without extra music or 
transposition.  I think that it was the "different" sound that they had plus 
the instruments reflected the technology of the day (same for the soprano) 
was the reason they didn't retain popularity.  The biggest reason for the C 
and the soprano to fall by the wayside was the depression.  People including 
professional musicians just didn't have the money for them and they became a 
dead end more or less.  The soprano revived but the  C just didn't.

Either there is a revival of the C going on, people are buying them as 
collectors items and speculating on them or people think they are buying 
tenors.  It's hard to believe that people are buying them to play on unless 
they are playing music of the period and want to sound authentic.

Some people call them C tenors and they are advertised that way.  There have 
been some listed just as tenors on E-bay but their fairly long narrow bell 
makes me believe that they are C's.   If someone bought a C Melody thinking 
it was a Tenor might not be happy with his purchase.  I don't think this is 
dishonesty but rather people buying or inheriting estates and not knowing 
what they have.   A Conn tenor in playable condition and depending on the 
year it was made and model, brings somewhere between $500 and $1000 which is 
in the ballpark.  I could see people being confused but I don't really 
understand the demand, that apparently is there, for the C.   C's in just 
about any condition seem to be bringing around $350.

I have owned three of them over the years and not one cost over $35 and I 
never sold one for much more and at least one became a wall hanger.  Now I 
wish I still had them.  Save your Confederate money.  It seems that 
eventually everything rises again.
Larry
St.L
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stan McDonald" <stanmm at comcast.net>
To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 12:46 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Stan McDonald -- recordings, artifacts, memorabilia

> Dear fans and friends (old or new),
>
> I have not engaged in DJML until now, but wanted you to know that I have 
> several of the above sorts of items posted on Ebay. Please check them out. 
> I have consignonline doing this for me and they are just acclimating to 
> dealing with my/our specialty, so you may have to hunt a bit for things 
> like the tuxedo I wore in 1975 with Bobby Short and Claude Hopkins on PBS 
> TV; one of the unique New Black Eagle Jazz Band t-shirts that I wore with 
> them on festivals here and in Europe; or an original feature article on me 
> in the MIssissippi Rag, Feb. 2003.
>
> You will easily find my old Conn C Soprano Sax -- current bid $700.
>
> I have of course continued active since my departure from the New Black 
> Eagle Jazz Band in 1981, when I founded the Blue Horizon Jazz Band. You 
> might check our name on Ebay for items; the Web under my name, and also 
> our web site: www.bluehorizonjazzband -- and come and hear us live when in 
> the Boston area.
>
> This is my first venture with Ebay, but I have a great deal more stuff to 
> put up, depending upon how consignonline works out. I'd appreciate your 
> advice on anything I have that you might think of interest. I have a 
> remaining stock of the first BJHB Lp recording as listed on Ebay that I'll 
> send you for $15.00 ppd. in the US. Original shrink wrap with extensive 
> notes of trad jazz revival in New England, through the 50's and 60's.
>
> With fond regards and thanks for all the dear friendships -- faded or 
> not -- and warm regards, always,
>
> Stan McDonald
> Leader, Blue Horizon Jazz Band
>
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