What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £700 (~$932) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £595 (~$793) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £455 (~$606) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £315 (~$420) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £175 (~$233) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a saxophone is worth what is being asked:
- Leaking pads, which need a full repad to fix
- Dents in the bow and body tube
- Sticking keys and bent rods
- Missing necks, which are expensive and model-specific
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised makers with a professional following
- Pads sealing properly with no leaks
- Original lacquer or an honest, undisturbed finish
- Case, mouthpiece, ligature and neck all present
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits of premium guitars exist and usually show in the headstock shape, the logo decal and the serial format.
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a saxophone, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Say when and by whom if you know. A serviced sax plays; an unserviced one may need a repad costing a large share of its value.
Test each key and report honestly. Leaking pads are the standard used-sax problem and buyers will check.
Confirm, and say which. Mouthpieces vary enormously in value and some are worth listing separately.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Press each key and check the pads seal with a leak light if you can
- Look down the body tube for dents
- Confirm the neck, mouthpiece and ligature are all there
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The saxophone assembled, full, on a stand or plain background
- The keywork and pads close up
- The bell and bow, showing lacquer and any dent
- The neck, mouthpiece, ligature and case
Details to confirm before you commit
- Type: alto, tenor, soprano or baritone
- Brand, model and serial number
- Pad condition, and when it was last serviced
- Lacquer condition, any dents, and whether neck, mouthpiece and case are included
Live saxophone listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse music & instruments for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Lifts in September and before Christmas. Recognised student brands sell within days; professional horns sell more slowly at higher prices.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a saxophone sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell saxophone for what to photograph and how to price, or what saxophone is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used saxophone?
Around £98 to £455 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a saxophone before buying?
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
Is buying a saxophone second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
See also: all buying guides · saxophone value guide · selling saxophone · Music & Instruments · condition grades.