selmer bundy 2, is this a..

i have been renting a horn but now im buying... have chance to buy a selmer bundy 2 at a good price from a freind who bought it then left it in its case for years... (this i just cant understand.. it needs to be rescued!) is this a good student sax? i play blues/r&b if not what is better? thanks very much. mel

I own a Bundy2, they have a fine sound but horrible action. The keys are completely straight and lined up down the saxophone, which is WRONG. Basically, don't pay more than 500$ for a new one and more than 250$ for a used one.

The Bundy is the most-quickly-outgrown sax there is. I find them to be suitable for a 1st year student who may not go into a 2nd year. If the student survives the 2nd year and starts a 3rd, it's time to upgrade from the Bundy.

I frankly hate having to sound like I'm doing a 'badmouth' of any make, because I have seen good off-brand saxes condemned for no reason other than that they are off-brands. The Bundy is another thing entirely. It's the lowest of the 'student' horns, with every possible price compromise made at the cost of playability, tone, response, etc.

For blues and R&B you are MUCH better off with a good vintage sax that you could get at about the same price. Old Bueschers (every model EXCEPT the True-Tone) make great R&B horns. A King Super 20 would be ideal (but those who have them rarely let them go). The Big Bell Martin is a GREAT R&B horn, and the fact that it is not popular brings it way down in price.

Check e-Bay, find a really good repair tech in your area, and get a real pro horn. Don't go for a Bundy.

Incidentally, I find it disgusting that they slap a Selmer name on those things.

I'd have to disagree with you here. Theres plenty of other student horns which are just as bad if not worse! Actually, a lot of people have found that the Bundy2s SOUND quite good even if their action leaves a lot to be desired.

However, I am purchasing either a Mark VI (pre 110K serial) or super balanced action Tenor soon so I'll be happy to switch.

Oh, nothing I said applies to altos, I've heard the bundy2 alto is really

thanks to rob and hal... um in my haste to put up this post i forgot to mention i play alto.. and natch you all therefore presume i mean tenor. well thanks for preparing me cos i went to check it out last night and it was really nasty. when i picked it up and played it it felt like a toy!! the tone was uninspiring but ok in the lower reg, higher notes sounded horrible. the mouthpiece ....arghhh!!! no, i would never of bought it.. even without your advising against it...

so do you know any good vintage altos for R&B hal? or anyone? whats gonna make me sound like maceo? (apart from 20 yrs of practise ) i do like the idea of a vintage horn.. i am concerned about buying thru ebay, but... i would like to own the real deal. when i came back from playing the horrible bundy and picked up my own horn (that im renting) i thought maybe this is a decent instrument..? perhaps i should buy this one?.. i have payed some money off on HP anyway... but i never knew if it was any good or not as ive never heard of the make and company. its a trevor j james and co 'the horn' alto. does anyone know anything about these , or played one? because i havent played on lots of different horns i havent got anything to compare it to and so i cant really tell if its good or bad. if anyone can tell me its a fairly good sax then i might keep it.

sorry for more questions... thanks - mel

It's hard to go wrong with a Conn 6M. A very versatile instrument.

Bob Fowler

Conn 'shooting star' alto, 900xxx serial or under with no letter preceding it or Pan American alto from the 50's with both bell keys on the player's left which is the same horn. Very big sound and nice action and usually cheap.

TrueTones work pretty well for me

They work well for me too.

I have two superb True Tones for sale, one gold plate and one silver plate. Both in beautiful condition. Also a Selmer modele 22 alto which appears to be gold plated underneath lacquer.

See my site for pictures

Pete's satin gold alto is making me drool..... Too bad I already have 3 True Tone altos, if I were to bring another home I'd have way too much explaining to do!

Bob Fowler

Given the instruments Pete's selling, I'd like to see the alto he's keeping! How about it Pete. got room for a 'My Instruments' section on your excellent web site?

regards,

Martin

On Sat, 30 Jun 2001 13:27:01 -0400, 'Bob Fowler'