Antique Musical Instruments/Buescher Alto Sax

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Expert: - 5/27/2008


Question
My father-in-law just gave to my daughter for band, his Buescher Alto Sax that he played in high school.  It is a beautiful instrument with filigree engraving and mother of pearl keys.  On the instrument is engraved "Buescher True Tone Aristocrat"  The serial number is 317140.  Do you know how I may find what year the instrument was made and where?  How does the Buescher brand rate among Saxophones?

Thanks!

Joe

Answer
It dates to about 1949.  

The Aristocrat was introduced in 1940, and nicknamed the "Big B" It was their second best professional model of the period.

The Aristocrat was designed to produce "sweeter" but powerful sound.  In the 1960s, the quality fell off and was no longer the quality of the earlier horns.  Many believe that Buescher saxes from the late 20's, to the early 50's to be the best saxophones ever made.  

Antique Musical Instruments

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Kenton Scott

Expertise

Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

Education/Credentials
B.S. Ed, M.S.

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