Before buying a used saxophone, check the visual condition, the airtightness of the keys, the serial number, the maintenance history, the mouthpiece and reed included, the seller's answers, the quirks specific to your register, and the asking price relative to the instrument's real condition. Skipping just one of these steps can turn a good deal into a hefty repair bill.
Why buying used still makes sense
A well-maintained saxophone doesn't lose much in sound quality over the years, and it's sometimes possible to land an intermediate or professional model for the price of a new entry-level instrument. That's especially true for alto and tenor, the two most common registers on the resale market.
At Twigg Musique, every used instrument that passes through our selection of used saxophones is inspected by our workshop before it goes up for sale, but if you're buying elsewhere (from a private seller, on a classifieds site), the inspection is entirely on you.
1. The visual inspection, your first reflex
Open the case and look at the instrument without touching it. A shiny saxophone was probably played lightly or maintained very well. Green spots, an unusual smell, or lacquer flaking off in patches aren't necessarily deal-breakers, but they justify asking more questions.
Also watch out for a story that's too good. If the seller claims the instrument belonged to a well-known musician with no documented proof, that's usually a red flag rather than a selling point.
2. Testing the keys and airtightness
A saxophone that looks superb but whose keys don't close properly is useless. If possible, bring along a saxophonist or test each note yourself with a tuner, playing loud then soft. Then run a slow chromatic scale, low to high, to spot leaking pads or poorly adjusted keys.
3. The serial number, a mine of information
The serial number engraved on the body lets you date the instrument and confirm the exact model with the manufacturer. It also lets you check that the instrument hasn't been reported stolen, a simple precaution that avoids plenty of legal headaches after the purchase.
4. Maintenance history
Ask when the last full overhaul was done. A saxophone played regularly should go to a repair technician every three to five years. The original lacquer or plating tells you a lot about that upkeep: a brand-new coat of lacquer on an otherwise worn instrument can hide repaired damage rather than a simple cosmetic touch-up. According to Henri SELMER Paris, surface oxidation of the metal after irregular cleaning doesn't necessarily affect the sound, but it often signals a general lack of upkeep.
5. The mouthpiece and reed included
The original mouthpiece is rarely the one you'll keep long-term, but its condition gives clues about the instrument's overall upkeep. A cracked mouthpiece or a damaged table signals a less careful owner. If you want to compare options before making your choice, our selection of saxophone mouthpieces covers hard rubber and metal for every register. Also think about the reed you'll use to test the instrument: a reed that's too hard or too soft will skew your impression of the sound. Our selection of saxophone reeds lets you bring your own for a more reliable test.
6. The right questions to ask the seller
Four simple questions often expose a professional seller posing as a private one, or an instrument owned too briefly to have a real history:
- How long have you owned this saxophone?
- Who played it before you?
- Did it sit unused in storage for a long period?
- Why are you parting with it?
A seller who can't answer any of these is probably not the original owner, which isn't a problem by itself, but it limits what you can know about the instrument's real condition.
7. Quirks by register
Alto and tenor dominate the used market, which makes it easier to compare prices across similar listings. If you're eyeing a sought-after vintage model, our Selmer Mark VI buying guide covers the checks specific to that model. Soprano, often one-piece or with a removable neck, deserves particular attention on the airtightness of the neck joint, a frequent leak point. For a more affordable first purchase, our Yamaha YAS-23, YAS-26, YAS-275 used comparison covers the most reliable entry-level models on the resale market. Baritone, heavier and mechanically more complex, needs its neck checked along with a proper neck strap or harness, without which playing quickly becomes uncomfortable.
8. A realistic budget
The price of a used saxophone varies enormously by brand, model, condition, and whether it's had a recent overhaul. Two identical instruments can show a large price gap simply because one came out of a full overhaul and the other didn't. Comparing several listings for a specific model remains the best benchmark before negotiating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you check before buying a used saxophone?
Visual condition, key airtightness tested with a tuner, the serial number, the date of the last overhaul, and the condition of the mouthpiece included. These five points cover most possible bad surprises.
How do you test a saxophone before buying it?
Play every note with a tuner, loud then soft, then a slow chromatic scale from low to high to spot air leaks. If you don't play yet, bring someone who does.
How much does a used saxophone in good condition cost?
The price depends largely on the brand, model, and overhaul condition. Check our selection of used saxophones to compare current prices by register.
How do you know if a used saxophone was stolen?
The serial number engraved on the body allows for verification. If you have doubts about an instrument's provenance, ask the seller for proof of purchase or an invoice before closing the deal.
Find Your Next Saxophone at Twigg
Both our workshops, in Montreal and Quebec City, inspect every used saxophone before it goes up for sale. Check our selection of used saxophones in alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone, or come by to try an instrument before deciding. Lire cet article en français : Saxophone d'occasion, la check-list