King – Brass Foghorn https://www.brassfoghorn.com Vintage Saxophones Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:53:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://www.brassfoghorn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cropped-android-chrome-512x512-1-32x32.png King – Brass Foghorn https://www.brassfoghorn.com 32 32 King Cleveland 613 https://www.brassfoghorn.com/product/king-cleveland-613/ https://www.brassfoghorn.com/product/king-cleveland-613/#respond Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:47:32 +0000 https://www.brassfoghorn.com/?post_type=product&p=2863 The King Cleveland 613 is a popular vintage student alto saxophone made in Eastlake, Ohio, USA. It features a gold lacquer body and nickel-plated keys. Known for its durability and good sound projection, it is a great, affordable choice for beginners. Prices range from $150 to $500 used, depending on the condition.
Key Features
  • Built to Last: The metal is thick, which means it handles bumps and drops better than many modern student horns.
  • Tone: It has a warm, vintage tone. It is often described as “free-blowing,” meaning it requires less air to make a sound.
  • Setup: Most used models come with a case, a mouthpiece, and a neck strap.
What to Check When Buying
  • Pads: The soft leather circles under the keys (called pads) seal the holes. If they are old, they might leak air, making it hard to play notes.
  • Case Condition: Original vintage cases can get musty or wear out. You might need to replace the case for better protection if you travel.
  • Maintenance: Always check if the instrument was recently serviced. A newly serviced horn saves you repair costs.

    Condition
    We rate each horn’s condition. Any defects are noted here. Each criteria is on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being poor condition and 10 being perfect

    • Body (dents, deep scratches, etc.) – 9 very small dimple dents in bottom of bow
    • Finish (lacquer, silver plate, paint, etc.) – 9 Lacquer is complete, a few small scratches throughout.
    • Previous repairs (soldered posts, dent work, etc.) – 10 none, like new
    • Accessories (case, mouthpiece, etc.) – 8 Original case in goon condition
    • Playability (leaks, sticky keys, etc.) – 10 Like new

 

]]> https://www.brassfoghorn.com/product/king-cleveland-613/feed/ 0 King Cleveland Alto https://www.brassfoghorn.com/product/king-cleveland-alto/ https://www.brassfoghorn.com/product/king-cleveland-alto/#respond Thu, 06 Feb 2025 18:01:03 +0000 https://www.brassfoghorn.com/?post_type=product&p=855 This King Cleveland saxophone, crafted in the USA circa 1956–1957, has just arrived in very good condition. It plays beautifully and remains a true American classic. While it shows some minor cosmetic wear, the only notable flaw is a small dent on the bottom of the bow (pictured in the final three slides). A perfect addition for any collector or player looking for that vintage sound.

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The King Cleveland alto saxophone is a well-regarded vintage student-line instrument known for its sturdy American build and “punchy” vintage tone. Originally produced by the H.N. White Company in Cleveland, Ohio, these horns were designed as a more affordable alternative to King’s professional models like the Zephyr and Super 20.
Key Models & Eras
  • Early “Cleveland” Models (Pre-1960s): These often feature more traditional “in-line” tone holes rather than the offset layout found on modern saxophones. They are prized for a warm, lyrical sound but may have more challenging ergonomics, especially for smaller hands.
  • King Cleveland 613: The most common version found today, often from the 1960s and 70s. It is considered a “workhorse” student horn that is very free-blowing and slightly brighter in sound color.
  • King 660: A later student model (post-UMI acquisition) that typically features more modernized keywork, making it slightly easier for beginners to navigate than the oldest vintage versions.
Playing Characteristics
  • Tone: Unlike many modern student horns that can sound thin, King Clevelands are often described as having a big, “fat” sound with a lot of character.
  • Durability: These instruments were “built to last” for school bands and can withstand significant use, though they may require more frequent adjustments than modern Japanese-made student horns.
  • Ergonomics: The left-hand pinky cluster (table keys) on older models can feel heavy or “stiff” compared to the refined Selmer-style layout used on contemporary saxes.
Current Market & Pricing
Since these are vintage instruments, prices vary significantly based on physical condition and whether they have been recently serviced.

Condition
We rate each horn’s condition. Any defects are noted here. Each criteria is on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being poor condition and 10 being perfect.

  • Body (dents, deep scratches, etc.) – 7 Has a dent on bottom of bow and a dimple under one of the left hand palm keys. see last 3 pictures.
  • Finish (lacquer, silver plate, paint, etc.) – 8 looks like original lacquer and is in good shape for its age
  • Previous repairs (soldered posts, dent work, etc.) – 10 none noted
  • Accessories (case, mouthpiece, etc.) – 9 Great original case, latches work, springs, etc. Mouthpiece has a burn on it. purely cosmetic.
  • Playability (leaks, sticky keys, etc.) – 10
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