It's worse than fibreglass - they're moulded acrylic.... I think it'll be necessary to take the paint off really carefully with a mild absasive and then buff with a really fine grit/rouge - maybe even toothpaste. And they're supposed to be a real bitch to work on, special pads, special springs.
I agree with you, why pay a fortune for a plastic sax? But some people want to. Some people are happy paying 5K or more for a clapped out MkVI. I don't understand that on either.
...as I got my information from the holder of the instrument. All that I said about Fibreglas® applies double for acrylic, as there is no reenforcement in the polymer there as there is with Fibreglas.
The statements about "modern plastic technology" only go so far as to address the 'modern plastic' when it is new. Once molded, modern plastics still deteriorate due to ozone and plasticizer migration. Even the mighty carbon fiber stuff is really nothing more than very strong fibers (similar to the glass fiber used in Fibreglas) molded into a resin of some sort.
Epoxy is strong stuff, but it too is mortal. Long story short, if you want something not to be affected by the environment, you need to make it out of something resistant to that environment.
We occasionally ran into erosion with epoxies in industrial service. Vibration and normal atmosphere were the problem, plus about twenty odd years of service. You can't bet on them forever, although a saxophone would be a lot less exposed to such stuff.
All of the Grafton equipment was scrapped out in the Sixties, or you could test your theories out by laying up a carbon fiber version. However, since the original was injection molded rather than put together like a boat, the attachment tabs might not work out all that well.
Actually, the question really might be, "Would you spend more than $20 on a dealer that has 0 feedback? How 'bout a dealer shipping direct from China?"I have been seeing these Soprano Saxes, as well as a few Oboes, go for between $20-100 which to me is worth the gamble. Unfortunately I can't afford to gamble at present. Thought someone else might be adventurous like me. My oppinion is that either the factory is doing some sort of client created R&D and quality control, or the sellers are attempting to make some good feedback. Possibly both. The cheapest I have seen these for normally is $200.
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/King-Zephyr-saxophone-HN-White-Co-Cleveland-OH-11712276.html
Zephyr tenor (s/n 254694) with the additional pearl keytouches. No neck, though. Needs an overhaul.
$146.
Sorry, that should be q************o (no edit on this mall thread)Current highest bidder is q************e
Wonder who that could be......!