WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY
2525 East Douglas Avenue
Wichita, KS 67211
Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858 And now, gentle saxophonists, allow me to write a bit about Martin saxophones.Our alto bears serial number 174,166. It was made in Elkhart in1950 and still wears 95% of the original dark lacquer finish.  Never any dents, a couple of minor dings to the bell have been burnished out in our shop. The neck wears the same serial number and the sax is sold without mouthpiece and a non-original 1970's case that looks new. Our company was, between 1957 and 1963, part of Wichita's "Paramount Music Company". We were the repair shop and sold the occasional saxophone for Paramount.I know these things, 'cause I started here in 1961 as a rookie woodwind technician.And we sold, in those days, a good number of Martin saxophones.In the fifties, they produced two models only: "Indiana" saxes were for the beginners; "Committee" (stamped "The Martin" on the bell) was the best model.A few years later, they also introduced a model "Imperial", which was the same as the Indiana, with a few cosmetic changes. The "Magna" from the early sixties was identical to the "Committee", but with more jive trim.All had soldered tone-holes (like the best flutes from Haynes and Powell) and were what I call "easy to play" saxophones.   I used an alto, myself, for a short time. In the mid sixties, I mean.  Our alto has come to us in very fine, almost pristine, condition.  The only wear to the lacquer is to the end bow.  See my photos, please.To play correctly, the instrument MUST have all pads and corks replaced.  And right now, our shop simply does not have the time to do the work.That means we're selling it as a "repairman's special".  Have a competent shop do the work for you and you'll have a superb pro-quality American alto!OR...... Add $750 to the price and we'll replace all pads and corks in late January.  Sorry, we're fully booked up until then!Top recommendation on this very original professional American Alto!*** If it doesn't sell, we WILL have time in early 2017 to pad it and offer it again.****Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 16 employees including seven of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell the occasional unrestored historical instruments each year. Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years:ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace, whichever in our estimation is the more advisable, pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees. Wichita Band’s service warranty does cover dents and dings to your sax. If your instrument sustains damage to the body, end bow, neck or bell, we’ll burnish out the dents and make it look “like new” again. The cost you is absolutely nothing except shipping and insurance charges. Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially free for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953! In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer. Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation. We collect NO SALES TAX, unless you’re lucky enough to live in Kansas. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight charges on returned equipment. International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 2 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument “on approval” for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to please reimburse us for clean-up and restocking charges (2.95%) on any returned instrument. Ebay authorized payment methods: PayPal or credit/debit card processed through our internet merchant account. Buyers outside of the USA are responsible for all import duties and customs clearance charges in their respective countries. We may refuse paypal and/or credit card payments from some countries. We’re happy to correspond with musicians, players, parents and enthusiasts of all types. Written appraisals are always available, but please don’t write or telephone and ask “what’s granny’s baritone sax worth?” Do an Ebay search and you’ll learn more than we could ever tell you.