 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Richard Bingham
Date: 2019-10-08 18:14
I have recently acquired a Gretsch Saxonette as part of a distant relatives' estate. Researching this instrument has yielded few valuable results. It seems that the saxonette is a forgotten part of music history. I am not a musician. My only interest in this saxonette is peripheral. Besides a very distant familial relationship which may prove interesting; just general info on the instrument will help. Please help with history and value if possible since I have no interest in keeping it but would like to get it into the appropriate hands one way or another.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-10-09 18:28
Hi Richard,
I looked on the "auction site" that is banned here and found nothing.
I guess that there are a few factors that will determine if the instrument is worth something.
1. Condition. It could be broken down further into wood condition (inside bore, outside, any cracks) and metal/keys condition..
2. Tuning- is it Bb, C, or an A instrument or something odd like F#?
3. Is there a matching mouthpiece?
The truth is that there are many instruments out there for sale that require so much work that it just does not make any sense to fix them. Think of a car that was declared a total loss after an accident-can it be fixed? Yes, salvage yard that has access to used parts and cheap labor can fix a salvaged vehicle but would you want to buy it?
I think if you posted a few pictures of the instrument including logo ( if it's got a logo), it could be a good start- there are quite a few experienced repair techs and professional players on this board who would be glad to help if they have something to start from.
Also, you can always consider donating the saxonette to a museum that has a collection of wind instruments.
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Author: Richard Bingham
Date: 2019-10-09 21:06
Thanks Ed. I posted some pix. And yes I would be willing to donate if the conditions were right.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-10-11 01:11
Looks like it is in good condition. It may be worth restoring it, but probably not for you.
I'd try to sell or donate it in its current condition.
Thanks for posting pictures and good luck.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2019-10-11 03:08
The Saxonette was brought to prominence by Alphonse Picou, who played the clarinet obbligato in the jazz classic "High Society" on a saxonette in C.
See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ftr_knt4D8
The instrument might be of great interest to a collector of jazz related items or to a jazz museum. It would probably fetch a good price on the well-known auction site.
Tony F.
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