Vintage Saxophones

[vitanola]

I know, there's already a thread for instruments.

But saxes are special. Latest acquisition; a 1947 Buescher Aristocrat Alto, silver plated. Very "Johnny Hodges" in it's tone; dark and sexy.

Stunning instrument!




Somehow I picture you playing a King or a White C-Melody, though.


a la Wiedoft or Krueger:

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Willikers!

That was too square even for me!

[BoPeep]

Thanks for the links, Fletch. I have a Buescher myself. Picked it up in a pawnshop and played it all through school. She's a bit rusty and dusty at the moment from years of non-use, but I could never bring myself to get rid of it. I have no idea it's year or history, but the reason I chose sax (when all the other 11 yr old girls picked flute or clarinet) was simply for its sex appeal.

[BoPeep]

Woo-hoo!! It's a 1937!



So where does Buescher rank in quality? Are we talking Cadillac or Edsel?

[Bebop]

,,,,,,,,, the reason I chose sax (when all the other 11 yr old girls picked flute or clarinet) was simply for its sex appeal.

As a boy, I can say that is the reason I switched from clarinet to sax when I was a teenager.

Bueschers made in and around 1937 are pretty good. The newer ones are more "Edselish".

[Silver Dollar]

Hey BoPeep, if I were you, I'd never get rid of that sax. With a new set of pads, a little tweaking by a tech and some polish (if you can do that with a sax) and you have a way cool piece of music history. My daughter played the flute and so did half of the girls in her school. Too cliche.

[vitanola]

Speaking of saxophones, a really fine-looking top-of-the-line Buescher C-Melody sax has just been listed on the 'Bay, complete with the correct "-C-" Buescher mouthpiece. The C mouthpiece is a bot more restrictive that the modern tenor unit, and when used on a C Melody or a Tenor produces a somewhat softer but much purer tone. Correct intonation is also easier with this design mouthpiece

eBay item number 150489274424.

[Chas]

I bought a mouthpiece on ebay once, and wouldn't recommend it. You really need to hear what the thing sounds like on you and your horn to really discern whether or not it works for you.

It's very much an individual thing; I find that some mouthpieces are as different as individual horns are.

[Chas]

Thanks for the links, Fletch. I have a Buescher myself. Picked it up in a pawnshop and played it all through school. She's a bit rusty and dusty at the moment from years of non-use, but I could never bring myself to get rid of it. I have no idea it's year or history, but the reason I chose sax (when all the other 11 yr old girls picked flute or clarinet) was simply for its sex appeal.

Then pick her up again and play it. There are not enough women playing sax, just like there's not enough men trying to be jazz singers.

[Chas]

Speaking of Cadillacs... Conn 30M.

[BoPeep]

Then pick her up again and play it.

Just bringing her out to photograph for this thread gave me goosebumps . . like cradling a baby. She needs new pads, cork and a few springs. Also a bit of corrosion on the bottom of the bell. I'm on the hunt for a reputable shop. Or is this something I could do myself?

That Conn is gorgeous, Chas. While I was playing, I toyed with tenors and a baritone (picture 5-foot-nothing me with a bari!). Nothing beats those low tones.