Flutes
Oboes
Bassoons
Piccolos
Clarinets
Saxophones
Emerson flutes
We like the Emerson flute - the scale is good and the tone quality
is full and round. As with all "production" flutes, we spend quite a bit
of time on these before they go out to the customer, making certain that
pads seat and that the instrument "feels" right. Students considering the
purchase of an Emerson flute might also think about trying the instrument
with both the "standard" and the "hand cut" head section.
All Emerson flutes are supplied with original Emerson case and come with factory guarantee in addition to our two-year service warranty. We don't sell "factory seconds" or "gray market" instruments. "Rent return" student flutes are sometimes available for lower prices. The company policy from Emerson says that we are allowed to ship their instruments only to institutions or end users who reside in the United States. We are not allowed by them to sell Emerson instruments to other dealers.
Wichita Band Instrument Company’s warranty is the same as it’s been for more than three decades.
“ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It 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. Our warranty does cover dent work, however. If your flute sustains dents and dings any time during the first two years, we remove those dents at no charge to the customer except for shipping and insurance costs."
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.
Emerson model EF6SOF, one of the most popular models from the Emerson
workshops. The 6 has a sterling silver head section and heavily silver
plated body and keywork. Offset G. It's an excellent flute for the advanced student.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $949.00
Emerson model EF6SBOF, same as above, but with "B" foot.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $999.00
Emerson model EF8OF, the best buy of Emerson flutes! The body, foot
and head are all sterling silver and the French-style keywork is heavily
silver plated. Offset G.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $1,279.00
Emerson model EF8BOF, same as above, but with "B" foot.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $1,329.00
Emerson alto and bass flutes:
Emerson EFA2 alto, sterling head section, the rest silver plated.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $2,599.00
Emerson EFA2C alto, the same as the A2, but with curved head..
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $2749.00
Emerson EFB1RD bass, silver plated.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $4449.00
More than four decades ago, a handful of master flute makers from the Muramatsu workshop made the decision to found a new firm, dedicated to the production of high-quality flutes in all price ranges. Having limited financial resources, they made an agreement with the Pearl Musical Instrument Company whereby they would produce flutes in a separate department Pearl’s factory.
The instruments have gradually gained the reputation of being “best buy” flutes and are widely used by professional musicians in Europe, England and the Far East.
Wholesale distribution of Pearl flutes has recently undergone some adjustments and we are now proud to offer these superb flutes to our customers.
Model 665RBE has solid silver head section, with body and foot plus all keywork heavily silver plated. Pad cups are pointed, key arms are extended over the pad-cups. Pearl’s 665RBE also comes with French (open) keywork, low B foot, offset G key and split E mechanism.
Suggested retail price is $1550.
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Model 765RBE has solid silver head section, body and foot with all keywork heavily silver plated. Pad cups are pointed, key arms are extended over the pad-cups. Pearl’s 765RBE also comes with French (open) keywork, low B foot, offset G key and split E mechanism.
Suggested retail price is $2850.
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Model 795RBE has solid silver head section, body and foot with all keywork heavily silver plated. Pad cups are pointed, key arms are extended over the pad-cups. Pearl’s 795RBE also comes with French (open) keywork, low B foot, offset G key and split E mechanism. Springs are white gold and professional “Forza” head section.
Suggested retail price is $3250.
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Model 795RBE-CODA has solid silver head section, body and foot with all keywork heavily silver plated, plus solid gold 10K embouchure and C-sharp trill. Pad cups are pointed, key arms are extended over the pad-cups. Pearl’s 795RBE also comes with French (open) keywork, low B foot, offset G key and split E mechanism. Springs are white gold and professional “Forza” head section.
Suggested retail price is $3950.
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Model 8800RBE "Cantabile" (Japan) all silver including the keywork, extruded tone-holes, low B, offset G, .015 inch tube and "forte" head section, it's their "handmade" with drawn tone-holes" instrument. Widely used by pro players in England and Europe, we quite like the way these play!
Suggested retail price is $5500.
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Model 8800RBE-CD "Cantabile" (Japan) same as the 8800RBE but with C# trill and roller on the D#.
Suggested retail price is $6550.
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Pearl alto flutes:
Pearl 201SU (Taiwan), has curved head section, sterling silver lip.
Suggested retail price is $1990.
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Pearl 206SU (Taiwan), has curved head section, sterling silver lip and head section.
Suggested retail price is $2500.
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Pearl Piccolos:
Pearl PFP105E piccolo, a superior instrument with composite body, silver plated keywork, split E mechanism, undercut embouchure, French-style case.
RETAIL PRICE IS $1500.00
Our Price PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
AVANTI FLUTES
It’s a new line of “step up” and “semi pro” flutes that’s recently been introduced to the American market. We’re impressed with the quality of manufacture and tonal characteristics of these new instruments. ALL Avanti flutes are shipped with Sterling-silver hand-cut Avanti-Brannen head sections designed by master flute builder Bickford Brannen.
NOTE: FREE SHIPPING IN THE USA ON AVANTI FLUTES.
Model 1000BOF has sterling silver Avanti-Brannen headjoint designed by Bickford Brannen, and open keywork to low B. The body, foot and all keywork is heavily silver plated.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $1579.00
Model 2000BOF has sterling silver Avanti-Brannen headjoint designed by Bickford Brannen, sterling silver body and foot, and silver plated open keywork to low B.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $2199.00
Blessing flutes
The same American company that makes brass instruments now also has
a small division devoted to good student quality flutes. We've used them
for rental instruments for the past three or four years and have had very
good luck with them. They're well-made, dependable American instruments
that are not at all expensive.
Blessing model B-101, silver plated student flute.
U.S. Retail - $599.00
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Blessing model B-101C, same, only with curved and straight head
section.
U.S. Retail - $730.00
WBIC Price - CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
ALTUS FLUTES
All Altus flutes are made in a workshop in Saitama, Japan that produces only flutes. They are not widely known in America, but have been very well accepted in Europe, especially England. The London soloist William Bennett endorses their flutes and has assisted them in the design of the instruments. In our opinion, Altus flutes represent very good value, especially in the $2000 to $5000 price range.
Altus model 1207RB "Professional", body, head, foot and all keywork
of .925 solid sterling silver. French keywork to low B, extruded tone-holes,
.015 body.
USA Retail - $6,450.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
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Altus model 1007RB "Silver Tube", exactly like the model 1207RB,
but the keywork is heavily silver plated over nickel silver.
USA Retail - $4,150.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Altus model 907RB "Silver Head", exactly like the model 1007RB, but
with body and foot heavily silver plated over nickel silver. Only
the head section is solid silver.
USA Retail - $2,800.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Altus model 819 alto flute silver plated, curved head, solid silver
lip plate.
USA Retail - $4,800.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Altus model 823ES bass flute silver plated, solid silver lip plate.
USA Retail - $7,300.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
MURAMATSU FLUTES
Considered by many professionals to be the finest flute made, Muramatsu instruments are built in small numbers and to a very high standard. We're proud to offer these superb Japanese instruments!
Model AD-2B, "semi handmade" construction, with pointed pad cups,
extruded tone-holes, the entire flute made of solid silver.
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Model GX-2B, just like the AD-2B, but with silver-plated keywork.
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Model EX-2B, just like the GX-2B, but with silver-plated keywork, body and foot. The head section is solid silver. A very good flute for the price.
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
Flutes from the workshop of Gerhard and Philipp Hammig in Germany.
Built in a small workshop in Markneukirchen, the Hammigs have been flute specialists for more than two centuries. The wood flutes from Philipp Hammig are made of dark grenadilla wood that’s aged several years before being turned into flute bodies. We quite like this superb instruments and consider them to be “best buys”.
All instruments are available with a choice of traditional or “high rise” head sections.
P-SP-C Grenadilla flute, silver plated plateau keywork, offset G key, split E mechanism, C foot, with case. $4550.
F-SP-C Grenadilla flute, silver plated French keywork, offset G, split E mechanism, C foot, with case. $4875.
F-SP-B Grenadilla flute, silver plated French keywork, offset G, split E mechanism, B foot, with case. $5450.
KOTATO ALTO, BASS AND CONTRA FLUTES…
BIG flutes from Kotato (Japan) are available from our shop. Time of delivery is always a bit slow, but through our overseas partners, we’re able to offer these superb instruments with reasonable times of delivery. The quality is absolutely superb and the tone-color is like nothing else in the world!
These models are available:
Alto flute in G. Solid silver construction, soldered tone-holes.
Bass flute in C (an octave below a concert C flute). Soldered tone-holes, B foot, body, head, foot and all keywork silver plated.
Contrabass flute in C (two octaves below a concert C flute). Soldered tone-holes, B foot, solid silver embouchure, but everything else silver plated.
Sub-contrabass flute in C (three octaves below a concert C flute). Definitely not for the faint-hearted nor those with limited lung capacity…
FOX OBOES
Made in the USA, continue to be very popular with our customers. The
workmanship, intonation and tonal quality are all good and the price is
right, too. We particularly like the model 330 and 450 instruments! Although
the time of delivery on new orders is five to six months, we always have
a good supply in our warehouse, ready to ship to you!
Fox model #400, best-quality grenadilla wood body, full conservatory
keywork, including LH F and F resonance keys. Fox's best oboe!
U.S. Retail - $6195.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox model #450, just like the 400, only the top joint is crack-proof
plastic.
U.S. Retail - $5795.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox model #300, Fox's best oboe, only ALL plastic.
U.S. Retail - $5495.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox model #330, same as the 300, only without split ring for
the 3rd finger RH. A BEST BUY!
U.S. Retail - $4350.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox model #333, Fox's least expensive, but now with LH F.
U.S. Retail - $3750.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox model #520 English horn, double case.
U.S. Retail - $6275.00
WBIC Price - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
After two decades as a master oboe maker in the Paris workshop of Roland Rigoutat, Gerard Fossati set up his own small firm in Montargis, some 65 or 70 miles south of of the French capital. Today, he and a handful of highly skilled technicians produce a limited number of oboes and English horns. Everything is built by hand and the quality of workmanship is of the very highest quality. Thanks to the lower overhead of the small town where they’re located, prices are quite competitive. ALL FOSSATI PRICES IN EUROS. Please email or call for current rate. Check out www.xe.comfor an approximate rate.
Full conservatory traditional French keywork, rhodium plated, including LH F, forked F and low B-flat resonance, third octave key, French case and cover. Fossati’s new “Artiste F01V” instrument has, we’ve been told, the same tone-color and superb intonation of F. Loree’s “AK” oboe. 3629 EUROS.
Fossati’s model E-30 has almost all the keywork as his “top of the line” oboe, but comes with a “best buy” price. Think “Fox model 330, but made in France of the finest grenadilla”. 2597 EUROS.
Fossati’s “Tiery XJ10” model is their “step up” oboe. Again think Fox, this time it’s “model 333, but made in France of the finest grenadilla”. 1849 EUROS.
Fossati’s SCA10 English Horn is absolutely amazing for both price and quality. And the time of delivery is always fast. Why wait forever for a Fox or Loree? 3434 EUROS
F. LOREE A PARIS
We've sold Loree oboes for 25 years and continue to recommend them
highly. American customers much prefer the darker sound of the "AK" bore
instruments. Yes, we always have a selection of Loree oboes in Wichita,
ready to send to the most discriminating musicians.
Full conservatory silver plated keywork, including LH F, forked F resonance, Bb resonance key on the bell, 3rd. 8va. key, American case & cover. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Same as above only with French case and cover. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Extra price for AK bore. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
F. Loree English Horn, double French case, cover, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Cabart "74", the second oboe from Loree, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
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. In the event of cracked or damaged wood sections, we will repair at no cost to the customer or replace the section and charge the customer only for our net costs for the replacement section. Often, wood replacement parts are supplied from the manufacturer at no charge. 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 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.
Please call for prices.
New Heckel Bocals: Yes, they're expensive, but they are the best! $845
FOX BASSOONS
NEW BASSOONS OF HIGH QUALITY FROM ALAN FOX'S WORKSHOPS are usually
available for fast delivery. We have the largest selection of new Fox instruments
in the Midwest, with professional and student instruments available for
immediate shipment. Why wait months and months when you can have one today?
Fox "601 Symphony Thick Wall", is Fox's top-of-the-line. We've
sold over a dozen to professional players who've traded their Heckels to
us. The secret of the sound is the thick wood in the wing joint and that
the entire instrument is made of seasoned Balkan maple.
USA Retail price $22,000.00
Our price PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox "201 Symphony", continues to be very popular with our customers.
The short bore of the 201 instruments is very resonant, the intonation
superb!
USA Retail price $19,000.00
Our price PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox "Renard 240" is the "step-up" instrument that's similar to
Fox's 201. Keywork includes high D, high E and crowned thumb E. This one's
a Best Buy, too!
USA Retail price $10,950.00
Our price PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox "Renard 220", is patterned on Fox's "long bore" I and II
instruments. We always have these in stock for immediate shipment. Standard
keywork includes high D and high E, the same as on the #240 bassoons from
Fox.
USA Retail price $9,500.00
Our price PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Fox "Renard" 222D, similar to the model 220, only without high
E. It does have the high D keywork and ring key for 3rd. finger left hand.
USA Retail price $7,950.00
Our price PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Emerson
EP3, plastic body and head section, silver-plated keywork.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $729.00
Emerson P-6, grenadilla body and head section, silver plated
keywork.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $1349.00
Emerson "Boston Legacy", best quality wood piccolo.
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $1979.00
Selmer PC701 piccolo, plastic body and head section, silver-plated keywork.
PRICE IS $299.00
Pearl PFP105E piccolo, a superior instrument with composite body, silver plated keywork, split E mechanism, undercut embouchure, French-style case.
RETAIL PRICE IS $1500.00
Our Price PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
BUFFET
FRENCH CLARINETS MADE BY BUFFET-CRAMPON.
SORRY, FOLKS, BUT WE JUST CAN'T PUT THEM IN A BOX AND SEND THEM TO YOU! Wood clarinets always leak around the register and thumb spouts when we get them from the factory. Before we send you any wood clarinet, we take off all the keywork, polish the bores, tighten the metal tubes into the top joint, replace the Eb-Bb, the C#-F# and the register pads with waterproof cork and then lighten the spring action. When we send them out to you, they're completely different than when we get them!
SPECIAL ON NEW BUFFET CLARINETS! 6 boxes of Vandoren reeds included for free with purchase and your choice of mouthpiece (within reason) no extra charge! Mouthpiece upgrades include Vandoren, Selmer Paris, and some other brands, please ask for info! This is on top of our special set-up and customization that we do to all new (and reconditioned) clarinets.
Founded in 1839 by Jean-Louis Buffet-Crampon, Buffet clarinets soon became the choice of the majority of the world's professional players. By 1900, Buffet had a workforce of 200 craftsmen, producing clarinets, flutes and saxophones, all of high quality.
Paul Evette and Ernest Schaeffer bought the firm in 1885. "Evette and Schaeffer" clarinets were the "step up" instruments from Buffet until about 1980. A public corporation since 1929, the company was absorbed into the Boosey-Hawkes conglomerate in 1981.
The first "modern" Buffet clarinets date fromt the 1920's. Given the model number "13", some are superb instruments, the bore size slightly smaller than modern clarinets, the tone-color free and with good power.
Instruments made between 1935 and 1975 are considered by many to be the very best of Buffet's production. The "13" became the "R-13" ("Arthur King", we call them...) This model was soon joined by the "Continentale", the "S-1", the "BC-20" and later the "RC". All have subtle differences, all are considered by us to be "top of the line" equals. Before 1980, the Buffet name was only engraved on their best clarinets: the "step up" and student quality instruments were stamped "Evette & Schaeffer" or "Evette". Today, the Buffet name and logo are engraved on the entire line of Buffet instruments, from the German-made plastic to their very best clarinets.
Wichita Band Instrument Company has sold new and used clarinets from Buffet-Crampon since the early 1950's. Clarinets acquired by us are always crack-free, wear our new pads and corks and carry our two-year service warranty.
Wichita Band's clarinet warranty is the same as it's been for more than
three decades:
"All new and used clarinets sold by us come with our 24-month service
warranty, which is in addition to any factory warranties. For
two full years, we will repair or replace (whichever in our estimation
is the more advisable), any pads, corks, springs or other parts required,
at no charge to the customer. In the event of cracked or damaged
wood sections, we will repair at no cost to the customer or replace the
section and charge the customer only for our costs (wholesale) for the
parts. The customer is responsible for shipping costs.
Cases and plating finishes are, unfortunately, not covered by our warranty."
We invite customers to "try before they buy", encourage our clients to allow us to send one or more instruments "on approval for ten days". We've sold Buffet clarinets for almost four decades and are happy to advise and assist you in any way we can.
Call us at 800-835-3006. We're always delighted to speak with clarinetists!
And of course Buffet made, still makes, high quality saxes in Mantes. Some saxes stamped with the Buffet name are now made in Germany by Keilwerth, but "real" French Buffet saxophones are still in production, albeit in small numbers.
Some of our clients have recently asked us for our advice about "new versus used" clarinets from Buffet. Here's our opinion....
The quality of the wood of modern clarinets is, regretfully, often not
as good as it was twenty-five or thirty years ago. Grenadilla wood
(a rosewood type) grows in Mozambique and takes decades before it's large
enough to turn into a clarinet section.
The demand for clarinets and oboes has been large in the past couple
of decades, but the supply of high-quality wood has become very difficult
indeed.
That means clarinets made years and years ago generally have better wood than clarinets that are new today.
More important is the fact that a clarinet, if it's going to develop cracks to the wood, will usually do so in the first three months of its life. It's not too much of an over-simplification to say "if it's several years old and hasn't cracked yet, it's not going to crack."
The "trade off" of course, has to do with the mechanical condition of the used instrument. If keywork is badly worn, with hinge-tubes loose or with ring keys worn thin or if the plating to the keywork is badly worn or if there are cracks to the wood, we could not recommend any vintage or used Buffet clarinet. Proper padding of any clarinet is crucial as well; our customers should know that any clarinet we sell always has 100% new pads and corks, either from the manufacturer or from our shop in Wichita.
Our conclusion? Yes, used is often better than new! But be careful about wood, worn keywork and padding!
SPECIAL ON NEW BUFFET CLARINETS! 6 boxes of Vandoren reeds included for free with purchase and your choice of mouthpiece (within reason) no extra charge! Mouthpiece upgrades include Vandoren, Selmer Paris, and some other brands, please ask for info! This is on top of our special set-up and customization that we do to all new clarinets.
R-13 Buffet Bb clarinet, nickel keys, the one everybody uses!
Suggested retail price is now $4630.
WBIC Price - $2780.00
R-13 Buffet Bb clarinet, the same but with silver plate.
Suggested retail price is $5230.
WBIC Price - $3140.00
R-13 Buffet A clarinet, nickel plated keywork with double case
Suggested retail price is $5645.
WBIC Price - $3390.00.
R-13 Buffet A clarinet, silver keywork with double case
Suggested retail price is $6225.
WBIC Price - $3735.00.
E-12 Buffet, the “step up” Buffet. Now discontinued. Pity, as it was the last of the inexpensive French Buffet clarinets…
E-11, Buffet’s least expensive wood clarinet. Made in Germany
Suggested retail price is $1760.
WBIC Price - $1055.00
E-11C, the same only in the key of C.
Suggested retail is now $3115.
WBIC Price - $1870.00
E-11A, the same only in the key of A. With single case
Suggested retail price is $2433.
WBIC Price - $1461.00
***OTHER BUFFET CLARINETS AVAILABLE TO SPECIAL ORDER!***
LEBLANC
Clarinets from the French LeBlanc
workshops have greatly improved in recent years. The new Opus/Concerto
instruments possess a dark and resonant tone color together with superb
intonation. Many of the best clarinetists in America are now using these
new models!
LeBlanc model L2002S "Concerto II", LeBlanc's best, but without the extra Eb/Ab key found on the "Opus"..
U.S. Retail - $4725.00
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $2829.00
LeBlanc model L200SAS "Concerto II", key of A, double case.
U.S. Retail - $5535.00
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $3349.00
LeBlanc/Noblet model 40, made in France, wood clarinet. Solid,
good scale, trouble-free. We like these and recommend them!
U.S. Retail - $1670
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $1049.00
LeBlanc "45A", key of A, single case.
U.S. Retail - $1925
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $1479.00
SELMER
YES, WE SELL SELMER (USA), SELMER
(PARIS) CLARINETS.
H. Selmer (Paris) "Signature" is the new top-of-the-line from
Selmer.
.575 inch bore, superb wood quality, resonance tuning, triple silver-plate
to the keywork, extra LH Eb-Ab lever. This is the best Selmer, ever!
PRICE IS $4449.00
H. Selmer (Paris) "Signature" the same, only in the key of A, with double case.
PRICE IS $4529.00
SELMER USA CLARINETS, Please email for more info.
All Selmer clarinets are supplied with original Selmer case and mouthpiece and come with factory guarantee in addition to our two-year service warranty. We don’t sell “factory seconds” or “gray market” instruments. “Rent return” student clarinets are sometimes available for lower prices. The company policy from Selmer says that we are allowed to ship their instruments only to institutions or end users who reside in the United States. We are not allowed by them to sell Selmer instruments to other dealers.
Wichita Band Instrument Company’s warranty is the same as it’s been for more than three decades.
“ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It 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. In the event of cracked or damaged wood sections, we will repair at no charge to the customer or replace the damaged section and charge the customer only o ur wholesale cost (if any) for the replacement parts. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees.”
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.
BASS CLARINETS-student and intermediate
Vito model 7166, plastic body, wood-like finish, low Eb on bell,
w/peg.
U.S. Retail - $2125
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $1499.00
LeBlanc/Noblet model 60, to low Eb, w/peg, grenadilla wood, five-section
case.
U.S. Retail - $6775
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $4749
Leblanc "France" 160S "Esprit", to low Eb, w/peg, grenadilla
wood, five-section case.
U.S. Retail - $7325
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $5129
SORRY, FOLKS, BUT WE JUST CAN'T PUT THEM IN A BOX AND SEND THEM TO YOU! Wood clarinets always leak around the register and thumb spouts when we get them from the factory. Before we send you any wood clarinet, we take off all the keywork, polish the bores, tighten the metal tubes into the top joint, replace the Eb-Bb, the C#-F# and the register pads with waterproof cork and then lighten the spring action. When we send them out to you, they're completely different than when we get them!
We sell lots of brands of saxophones, but some of the manufacturers do not allow us show thier prices in our advertising. Call or e-mail us and we'll send, e-mail or FAX you their price list!
SOME NOTES ABOUT SELMER SAXOPHONES...
The Henri Selmer company dates from 1885. Both Henri and Alexander Selmer were fine clarinet players. Alexander played in the New York Philharmonic for a few years, joined with his brother in 1904 to form "H. & A. Selmer" in Paris. The factory moved to Mantes (west of Paris about 40 miles) in 1919. One of Alexander's students in the States was George Bundy who became the founder of Selmer-USA. Selmer-France and Selmer-USA are two completely separate companies, the former still owned by the Selmer family, the latter now owned by Steinway Properties, the Massina family of Boston being the majority shareholders.
Selmer's first French saxes were engraved "Modele 22",according to the "New Langwell", a few were made as early as 1920.
The "Modele 26" appeared four years later, is considered by us to be virtually identical to the 22. "Pea-shooters", we call them. Mechanically good, but very small voices.
Selmer acquired the Adolphe Sax brass factory in 1928 and the production numbers increased.
Until 1931, fewer than 15,000 Selmer saxes had been built.
The introduction of the "Cigar Cutter" in 1931 made Selmer famous as builders
of superb instruments.
Keywork was still similar to the old "Modele 26", but the sound of
these saxes was superb: bright and singing, lots of cutting power.
Within a decade, almost all the world's professional players considered
Selmer the only serious choice. A few jazzers held out for
the "Lady Face" Conns and the silver-necked Kings, but most guys went to
Selmer and stayed there.
"Cigar Cutter", "Selmer Super Saxes" and "Radio Improved" models differ
only in subtle ways. True CG models have on the octave mechanism
a unique one by two inch flat brass plate with a round hole that looks
like the tool you'd clip off the end of a cigar with it. For
us, the "Super" is a fine sax, the tone quality a little more "locked in"
than the CG, but with plenty of carrying power and quality.
There were several variations in the octave key mechanism of the SSS and
RI models (none with the flat brass plate above the octave key touch)
and for us, there's not much difference in playing characteristics.
Intonation is better on both than on the CG's, though: I've never
played a Cigar Cutter that didn't have a fourth-line D that wasn't very
sharp.
Professional players who used CG, SSS or RI saxes throughout their entire careers included Joe Allard (Julliard Conservatory, NBC Orchestra, New York Philharmonic sax soloist) , Hymie Schertzer (Goodman's band), Al Klink (tenor player of the original Glen Miller band, later with Carson's tonight show orchestra), Woody Herrman, Dick Stabile (sax soloist in the pre WWII years), Arnold Brilhart, Chester Hazlett and hundreds of other guys. Jimmy Dorsey used a variation of the SSS sax as well.
Low B & Bb pad cups on the CG, SSS and RI models were always on the same side as the player. Keywork was not always the same on these and it's possible to see all sorts of variations on the G#-C#-B-Bb key touches. Some saxes have the one & three forked Eb mechanism, some do not. Instruments made before 1932 were seldom lacquered, almost all were silver plated, sometimes gold plated.
George Bundy operated a New York retail store for Selmer for several years. "Selmer New York" saxes are fairly common, but have nothing to do with the French instruments. All were bought from American manufacturers and stenciled with Selmer's name. I've seen American Selmers made by Conn, by H.N. White Company ("King") and by Buescher, even a couple from Martin. Selmer-USA moved to Elkhart before the second world war, purchased the Buescher saxophone factory in 1961.
The Balanced Action saxes were introduced in early 1936. The earliest I've played belonged to Wichita band leader Norman Lee. I did lots of pad work on it back in the '60's and '70's. Serial number was 22,300. BA models had very light springing and lots of guys replaced the original needle springs with stronger piano wire. The tone-quality of the early instruments is darker, the intonation superb. Key-guards for the low pads are easily removed, the workmanship the very best. The BA evolved slowly, by the late '40's had offset stack keys and brighter tone-color. We call these "Super Balanced Action" saxes.
Thousands of guys played, still play, the BA and SBA saxes.
I've got photos of Al Galladoro, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond, John Coltraine,
Coleman Hawkins and dozens of other superb saxophonists, all using this
model. Man, how many could I name?
My personal opinion is that the BA instruments made just before and
just after the war are the best ever known to mankind.
The Mark Six instruments came out in 1954, continued the trend toward brighter tone-color and sharper low notes. Not all Mark Six saxes are so engraved, but they're easily identified by the unique neck octave key and the sideways octave touch. Our experience is that some Sixes are very good, some less so. They just weren't very consistent and lots of guys experimented with necks and key adjustment before they were happy with how they played. But it's the Sixes that today command the high prices. Not certain why, but there are lots of fellows who play far better than I who swear it's the best sax ever made.
The "Super Action 80" saxes have gone through several variations since they started making them in 1980. The "Series I" instruments are, in our opinion, quite good: scale and tone-color leave nothing to be desired. Some guys like the slightly brighter sound of the "Series II" and the "Series III" is even more so. All should be considered as superb instruments, worthy of the finest musician.
We don't pretend to be Selmer sax experts, but we've repaired, bought, sold and played thousands of them over the past fifty years. Digital photos of any sax are available upon request and we're always happy to send "on approval" for ten days. Call us at (800) 835-3006 for info. FAX or E-mail if you prefer.
We do lots of sax business: both vintage and new instruments. We're careful about what we acquire and usually turn down saxes with keywork that's worn or key pearls that are dished out. We sell no sax "as-is, needing more repairs", fully re-pad and re-cork everything before it goes out the door and put our two-year service warranty on anything we sell.
YES, WE SELL SELMER SAXOPHONES, NEW, USED AND VINTAGE.
Selmer (Paris) #62NG- "Super Action 80, series III", professional alto
PRICE IS $4329
Selmer (Paris) #62- "Super Action 80, series III", professional alto, the bell hand engraved.
PRICE IS $4729
Selmer (Paris) #62BL- "Super Action 80, series III", professional alto, black, gold lacquer keys, hand engraving to the bell.
PRICE IS $5079
Selmer (Paris) #62S- "Super Action 80, series III", professional alto, bright silver plate to the body and keys, engraving to the bell.
PRICE IS $5229
Selmer (Paris) #52 - "Super Action 80, series II", professional alto, the bell hand engraved
PRICE IS $4199
Selmer (Paris) #52NG - "Super Action 80, series II", professional alto.
PRICE IS $3799
Selmer (Paris) #52BL - "Super Action 80, series II", professional alto, black, gold lacquer keys, hand engraving to the bell.
PRICE IS $4549
Selmer (Paris) #52S - "Super Action 80, series II", professional alto, bright silver plate to the body and keys, engraving to the bell.
PRICE IS $4699
Selmer (Paris) "Reference-36", tenor, modern copy of a vintage Selmer
"Balanced Action" tenor.
PRICE IS $6199
Selmer (Paris) "Reference-54", tenor, modern copy of a vintage Selmer
"Mark VI" tenor. Patinated lacquer finish only.
PRICE IS $6199
Selmer (Paris) #64 - "Super Action 80, series III", tenor with hand engraved bell.
PRICE IS $5329
Selmer (Paris) #64NG - "Super Action 80, series III", tenor, same as above without engraving.
PRICE IS $4879
Selmer (Paris) #54 - "Super Action 80, series II", tenor with hand engraved bell.
PRICE IS $4879
Selmer (Paris) #54NG - "Super Action 80, series III", tenor, same as above without engraving.
PRICE IS $4449
Selmer (Paris) #53 - "Super Action 80, series III" soprano, two necks, keywork to high G, with hand engraved bell.
PRICE IS $4979
Selmer (Paris) #53NG - "Super Action 80, series III" soprano, same as above without engraving.
PRICE IS $4699
Selmer (Paris) #51 - "Super Action 80, series II" soprano, fixed neck, with hand engraved bell.
PRICE IS $4099
Selmer (Paris) #51NG - "Super Action 80, series II" soprano, same as above without engraving.
PRICE IS $3829
Selmer (Paris) #55AF - "Super Action 80, series II" bari, hand engraved bell.
PRICE IS $8699
Selmer (Paris) #66AF - "Super Action 80, series III" bari, hand engraved bell.
PRICE IS $9549
Selmer (Paris) #50, Eb sopranino
PRICE IS $7899
Selmer (Paris) #56 bass
PRICE IS $19879
Other finishes available.
All Selmer saxophones are supplied with original Selmer case and mouthpiece and come with factory guarantee in addition to our two-year service warranty. We don’t sell “factory seconds” or “gray market” instruments. “Rent return” student saxes are sometimes available for lower prices. The company policy from Selmer says that we are allowed to ship their instruments only to institutions or end users who reside in the United States. We are not allowed by them to sell Selmer instruments to other dealers.
Wichita Band Instrument Company’s warranty is the same as it’s been for more than three decades.
“ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It 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 to you is absolutely nothing except for 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.
YANIGISAWA SAXOPHONES
Yanagisawa is a small firm in Japan that produces ONLY high-quality
saxophones. We've sold them for over 30 years and recommend them
above all other Japanese instruments!
Yanigisawa "Standard" alto, model A901, with high F# keywork.
These are good players for not much money.
U.S. Retail - $4250
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $2429.00
Yanigisawa "Professional" alto, model A991, also with high F#
keywork, deluxe case, full rib construction, deluxe key pearls.
U.S. Retail - $5185
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $3249.00
Yanigisawa "Standard" tenor, model T901, also with high F#.
U.S. Retail - $4870
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $2779.00
Yanigisawa "Professional" tenor, model T991, with the same features
as the A991 alto.
U.S. Retail - $5750
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $3599.00
Yanigisawa S901 soprano, high F#, straight neck..
U.S. Retail - $5045
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $2729.00
Yanigisawa SC991 curved soprano, high F#.
U.S. Retail - $5885
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $3029.00
Yanigisawa model S-991 "Professional" soprano, high G, interchangeable
necks (straight and curved), deluxe case.
U.S. Retail - $6070
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $3449.00
Yanigisawa B901 baritone, high F#, low A.
U.S. Retail - $8750
MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE IS $5479.00
ANTIGUA WINDS SAXOPHONES
We discovered these superb saxophones five years ago and have found them to be real “Best Buys”. They’ve been well received by our customers and our repair shop tells us they’re the quality of manufacture is comparable with the best saxes from Yamaha, Yanagisawa and "Cannonball".
AX5102L XP SERIES ALTO, high F#, lightweight case.
USA suggested retail price is $849. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE.
AX52103L XP SERIES TENOR, high F#, lightweight case.
USA suggested retail price is $1329. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE.
500LQ alto, gold lacquered body and keys, basically a Selmer copy for a very reasonable price.
USA suggested retail price is $1360. Our price is $735.
501LQ tenor, the same as the 500LQ alto, but bigger.
Suggested retail price is $1675. Our price is $1085.
521LQ alto, gold lacquered body and keys. It’s their “Top of the Line”, built with big bell, full rib construction, engraving to the bell and body plus double-key arms for the low C pad-cup and detachable end-bow.
USA suggested retail price is $2095. Our price is $1275.
The 521 altos are also available with bright silver plated body and bell or with black chrome body and bell. Same sax, different finish.
USA suggested retail price is $2305. Our price is $1375.
551LQ tenor, gold lacquered body and keys. It’s their “Top of the Line” tenor, built with big bell, full rib construction, engraving to the bell and body plus double-key arms for the low C pad-cup and detachable end-bow.
USA suggested retail price is $2410. Our price is $1475.
The 551 tenors are also available with bright silver plated body and bell or with black chrome body and bell. Same sax, different finish.
USA suggested retail price is $2610. Our price is $1595.
586-LQ soprano has two necks (straight and curved), high F# keywork.
Suggested retail price is $1570. Our price is $995.
582-LQ soprano is the simplified version of their 586, with single piece body.
Suggested retail price is $1210. Our price is $875.
A566LQ baritone has extended range to low A, high F# keywork also.
Suggested retail price is $5325. Our price is $3345.