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musical instrument details
1935 King Zephyr Tenor, Silver Plate
Estimated price for orientation: 1 500 $
Category: Saxophones
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: King Key Finish: Silver-Plated Type: Tenor Skill Level: Professional Body Finish: Silver Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Body Material: Silver-Plated
This is an incredibly early King Zephyr in silver plate. Serial number is actually 179,8xx, which puts it in 1935. Some sources indicate this serial was actually before the Zephyr was introduced, but the engraving clearly says otherwise.I had the horn repadded around 2013, and while the tech did a tolerable job, it's not perfect. Since then, having moved to a locale with significantly better techs, I've had it looked at again and they indicated to me that several of the pads are out-of-level. That being said, they do float ok when you hit them with some heat, and as such, they suggested it would take less than a couple hours of labor to put it in amazing shape. It could also use a new pad on the body-octave mechanism. That particular orifice has an incredibly long pip that makes it nearly impossible to use a pad-saver and tends to accumulate moisture and causes it to stick a bit. Lately I've just been putting some paper between the pad and the tone hole during storage and it hasn't been sticking a bit.In terms of mechanical condition, the body is incredibly good. There is a very slight wave to the lip of the bell and the brace between the bell and body is slightly tweaked on the lower attachment point on the body side. The bow is in perfect shape without any dings at allOne note about keywork: The original adjustment screws on the F mechanism have been removed and it is currently shimmed with cork. It works fine, but if you're a purist, you may want to find some set screws.When I purchased this, the original neck was pushed in at the octave key fulcrum, and it was not playable. I used a neck from another King I had laying around for quite some time, but I eventually had the original repaired by a local technician. He did a very good job and now, with the original neck, it plays even better than it did with the borrowed neck I had been using.Plating is a bit rough; I'd estimate it around 50%. The body is rather dull, which is how I prefer it. The neck is actually a bit shinier because they had to polish it as part of the repair process. (It's easier to see dents that way.)I play this horn on a regular basis. The full range speaks, but it does tend to get "twitchy" between middle B and lower F so you have to pay a little bit of attention or else you're going to end up in the wrong octave. I am completely confident that this is a function of the pads needing to be leveled and as noted, that was estimated at less than two hours of labor.This thing is hard to let go, but I just have too many and this one has the least sentimental attachment, despite the fact it is probably the best sounding one.Thanks for your consideration, and let me know if you have any additional questions.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | King |
| Key Finish: | Silver-Plated | Type: | Tenor |
| Skill Level: | Professional | Body Finish: | Silver |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States | Body Material: | Silver-Plated |
This is an incredibly early King Zephyr in silver plate. Serial number is actually 179,8xx, which puts it in 1935. Some sources indicate this serial was actually before the Zephyr was introduced, but the engraving clearly says otherwise.I had the horn repadded around 2013, and while the tech did a tolerable job, it's not perfect. Since then, having moved to a locale with significantly better techs, I've had it looked at again and they indicated to me that several of the pads are out-of-level. That being said, they do float ok when you hit them with some heat, and as such, they suggested it would take less than a couple hours of labor to put it in amazing shape. It could also use a new pad on the body-octave mechanism. That particular orifice has an incredibly long pip that makes it nearly impossible to use a pad-saver and tends to accumulate moisture and causes it to stick a bit. Lately I've just been putting some paper between the pad and the tone hole during storage and it hasn't been sticking a bit.
In terms of mechanical condition, the body is incredibly good. There is a very slight wave to the lip of the bell and the brace between the bell and body is slightly tweaked on the lower attachment point on the body side. The bow is in perfect shape without any dings at allOne note about keywork: The original adjustment screws on the F mechanism have been removed and it is currently shimmed with cork. It works fine, but if you're a purist, you may want to find some set screws.When I purchased this, the original neck was pushed in at the octave key fulcrum, and it was not playable. I used a neck from another King I had laying around for quite some time, but I eventually had the original repaired by a local technician. He did a very good job and now, with the original neck, it plays even better than it did with the borrowed neck I had been using.Plating is a bit rough; I'd estimate it around 50%. The body is rather dull, which is how I prefer it. The neck is actually a bit shinier because they had to polish it as part of the repair process. (It's easier to see dents that way.)I play this horn on a regular basis. The full range speaks, but it does tend to get "twitchy" between middle B and lower F so you have to pay a little bit of attention or else you're going to end up in the wrong octave. I am completely confident that this is a function of the pads needing to be leveled and as noted, that was estimated at less than two hours of labor.This thing is hard to let go, but I just have too many and this one has the least sentimental attachment, despite the fact it is probably the best sounding one.Thanks for your consideration, and let me know if you have any additional questions.