Our next new product.......

This is a DRAFT of the ad we'll be using for our next new line of products: key clamps. I've used them for years, and you should, too! We've also got a new line of neckstraps (the shipment arrived today, I'll get them up on the site this weekend), some new ligatures, and a couple of new mouthpiece models. We're developing some new solid silver necks, bari sax neck enhancers, a new SUPER PREMIUM bari, and a couple of other projects I'm not ready to tell you about.

This is a quick and dirty version of the key clamps ad, by no means the final version!

A Statement of Mission

I've recently gotten a few inquiries into why we don't maintain a dealer network, and why we are not trying vigorously trying to expand. That's not what we are about, and I want to clarify the vision that Sharon and I share for our company.

We don't have any desire to be all things to all people. Our products are unique, and constantly evolving. We are not mass marketers, and don't intend to ever manufacture products designed to please the lowest common denominator.

The market is unquestionably headed in the direction of online sales at the expense of brick and mortar retailers. We've been involved in online sales since 1996, and know this is where our future lies. We maintained a "traditional" music store in the early 1990's, and although it was a very profitable enterprise for us, it limited us in many ways, and did not allow the flexibility we desired.

The local music store is a dinosaur, with many inherent problems. We don't want those problems to become our problems. When we did maintain a dealer network, we found that the dealer's goals were not always our goals, and that the dealer's problems, particularly the financial ones, often became our problems.

We will continue to produce our instruments and accessories in limited quantity, using a lot of hand work and only the very best materials. We will continue to maintain a small inventory, and do most of our instrument sales on an advance order basis. This business model is working very well for us, and although I am aware that it does not please everybody, we are unlikely to change it.

It is a source of great amusement to us that suggestions are made that we should increase production and compete with "the big four" of the saxophone world. We have no intention of doing so, nor do we have any desire to do so. We could not do what we do best, which is develop state of the art innovative products of extremely high quality, if we had to attend to the demands of greater production.

Our business will not be allowed to grow much larger, by our choice. We do not wish to add additional staff, and since we operate our little enterprise on a strictly cash basis, we do not wish to go with our hat in our hand to the bankers.

We know that if we sell our products to 1% (or less) of the world's saxophonists we will make a very handsome living, and are quite content to do so.

With best wishes for the holidays.............

Super 400 Edition 2.0

I got a big shipment of Super 400 alto and tenor yesterday, along with a load of our new Saxgourmet curved soprano. I'm still sore from unloading the truck!

The new version of the Super 400 differs from the previous model in that it has a new mechanism to prevent the dreaded sticking of the G# key. This is the same mechanism that is used on the Keilwerth SX-90 and some of the B&S horns. We obtained permission from the patent holder to use this system. The new version also has an improved F# helper mechanism and MUCH more engraving. I actually found a few blank spots! All of the other features found on the previous model are still there: two different necks, an upper stack speaker key, keywork to high G, Saxgourmet kangaroo leather pads with solid copper Maestro resonators, deep water abalone pearl key touches, and much more. We've also changed the material we used for the key silencers and upgraded the blued steel springs. The picture illustrates the new G# and F# mechanisms and some (but FAR from all) of the new engraving. We've got some inventory of alto and tenor (most of this shipment was pre-sold) and you can order from www.nationofmusic.com . Please note that we do NOT accept PayPal for instrument sales.

Getting Ready for the NAMM Show!

We will be exhibiting our full line of products at the NAMM show. We are very honored to be sharing booth space with our exclusive Asian distributor, BeijingMusco. We will be at booth 3015 in Hall D for the entire show. Sharon and I will be assisted by our good friend and Endorsing Artist, Aviva Maloney, as well as Rheuben Allen, Rick Izumi, And the BeijingMusco staff. We will have a number of celebrities appearing at the booth during the show. We’ll have saxophone Mardi Gras beads (ladies, you know the drill….), Saxgourmet temporary tattoos, and Saxgourmet T shirts, and lots of other fun stuff. No, I don’t have passes available (you should join NAMM!)……..

The following Saxgourmet products will be on display and available for your inspection:
SAXOPHONES
Voodoo Rex Alto
Super 400 alto
Super 400 tenor
Category Five tenor
Saxgourmet Saxello
Saxgourmet Marcel classical alto
Saxgourmet curved soprano
Saxgourmet Baritone

MOUTHPIECES
Saxgourmet sopranino
Saxgourmet soprano
Saxgourmet Hard Rubber alto
Voodoo Child alto
Fat Boy alto
Marcel classical alto
Blues Blaster tenor
Fat Boy tenor
Florida tenor
Yellow Moon tenor
Black Mambo tenor
Saxgourmet Handmade tenor
Super Duck tenor
Low Rider baritone

NECKS
Saxgourmet neck for Selmer
Saxgourmet neck for Yamaha
Saxgourmet Neck for Conn
Saxgourmet solid copper tenor neck
Saxgourmet solid copper alto neck
Saxgourmet solid copper alto neck with nodal weights
Saxgourmet silver plated alto neck with nodal weights
Saxgourmet brass alto neck with nodal weights

ACCESSORIES
Saxgourmet tenor neck enhancer
Saxgourmet alto neck enhancer
Saxgourmet thumb rest
Saxgourmet 3 ring strap hook
Saxgourmet neckstrap
Saxgourmet saxophone mutes for alto, tenor, and soprano
Bourbon Street Key Oil
Voodoo Pad Juice
Mojo’s Never Stick Pad Powder
Saxophone Repair with Steve Goodson DVD
Alternative Saxophone Repair DVD
Mouthpiece Refacing DVD

Preparing a horn for eBay Sale

Much to the dismay of vintage and used saxophone dealers, eBay has become the dominant market for buying and selling used saxophones. Like it or not, this is the way it is, and if you are thinking about placing some of your excess horns up for auction, here are a few tips and pointers.

(1) RESEARCH THE MARKET CAREFULLY There have been some huge changes lately in the prices vintage horns actually bring. Remember that asking prices mean absolutely nothing. Selling prices are the ONLY thing that matters. Prices have significantly fallen, get over it! Keep in mind that the prices asked by established dealers are often HIGHLY negoitiable, and are generally around 25% higher than what the same horn would bring on eBay. People pay a premium for the security of doing business with an established dealer.

(2) BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR HORNS CONDITION This is where many eBay sellers fall down. A relacqauered horn with old pads and a case in poor condition is not going to bring the same money as a pristine original example. Buyers have historically paid a hefty premium for original condition, and remember that they are only original once and once only.

(3) DO THE NEEDED REPAIRS CORRECTLY It's hard to sell a horn that "needs a little work". Get it fixed, and get it fixed correctly. Be sure the correct thickness pads are installed with the proper type resonator. Get the dents out and clean it up. If you have had the horn overhauled, unless it has been done by a WELL KNOWN technician (somebody with a national or international following) don't say that it was worked on by Joe's Instrument Repair in Anytown, USA. Joes website probably has pictures of a bunch of Bundys on his bench, and nobody outside of your hometown ever heard of Joe anyway, and they are likely to be highly suspicious of the quality of Joes work.

(4) UPGRADE THE HORN If you look at successful auctions, you'll very often find that the horns that sell for top money often have things that are "above and beyond" on them. A good example of something I see pretty often on eBay is the use of super premium pads. There is a very definate trend toward citing that the horn has Saxgourmet or Roo pads installed. This seems to bring out the buyers. I think an upgraded case is often a plus as well as including key clamps.

(5) A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS You can't have too many pictures or too extensive a description. The pictures should be very clear, and very detailed. Adding more pictures to your auction is quite inexpensive. Make sure that your description anticipates every possible question.

Ebay can be a real snake pit, and I hope that these tips help you hold a successful auction. Let me know your questions!

We're Expanding Our Warehouse

Sharon and I decided to "bite the bullet" and expand our warehouse significantly. Fortunately, we owned property which was available, and a crew is currently working on saxophone specific racks and enhanced security. As our business has grown, we have found the need to maintain a larger inventory, so some of the shortages we have experienced in the past should be remedied. We currently offer three different saxophone lines (Saxgourmet, Voodoo Rex, and Super 400); 14 different mouthpiece models (all in multiple facings); 8 different necks, and a wide assortment of other accessories and products for saxophonists. We will have some new product introductions in the near future.