During a discussion amongst friends recently where I said,
I am absolutely floored at the prices I’m hearing for these instruments in this thread. I can’t fathom spending upwards of $2K on anything but a pristine vintage instrument. I tend to quote average prices worldwide vice the best price that has been paid. I suspect that for every Conn Naked Lady sold for those high prices there are 20 or more that go for less than $500!
The stories I hear about buying Conn “Naked Ladies” all tend to quote *much* lower prices. Maybe these folks are exaggerating their finds or maybe the people selling the instruments are hyping them. Who knows. But many fine instruments go to dealers who tend to only buy at really low prices.
Tony, wasn’t your Conn NL in very nice condition? Does Annamarie’s compare based on the pics you have of her instrument? That said, I’d hold on to a fine playing Conn NL. It’s value will only continue to rise and playing it, if you’re into vintage instruments is where the real value is.
I came across this assessment on the value of vintage saxophones in 2008. I thought it was very close to being right on. (Tip of the hat to Tony.)
"I hear ya, this sounds like a topic for a blog. Of the 120 plus horns I have sold on Ebay the market really hasn’t moved much in this price range. The two horns that’s have really taken off are the early engraved Mark VII’s (240XXX range) and the early Eastlake Super 20’s which are now approaching the $3K range. The others and I think Matt Stoecker would agree would fall into the following categories:
· Selmer Mark VII’s – $2,000+
· Yamaha YAS 875 Customs – $1,900
· Buffet Super Dynactions – $1,600+
· Keilwerth Tone King etc – $1,600+
· Conn 6M’s $1,600+
· SML Standard and Gold Medal Horns – $1,500+
· B&S Guardala’s – $1,400+
· King Zephyr $1,400+
· Martin “The Martin Alto’s” $1,200+
· Conn “Chu Berry” $1,100
· B&S “Blue Label” – $900
As for the Conn, this one just listed for a Buy it Now of $4K now that’s a horn!
Just a comment, a year from now all bets are off as to the value or your vintage sax then.
The Bis Key Chronicles 
I thought of you the other night when NPR (I Think it was NPR) had this "homemade instruments" segment – so funny! But cool, too!