Question:
Which Bueschers are the best ?
I looking at a Buescher TT Silver Plated 1926-27 # 217XXX. Is this horn in the desirable or even near desirable range? The horn plays strong and looks better that average. (Flat Matte Finish)
How much should I offer the seller ?
Steven :shock:


Answer:
I have played on some early TT tenors and really liked them. They had a smooth tone and played very well top to bottom.
Make sure it has the original snap in pads.

Answer:
If it's an alto, SG's vintage sax valuation is $800, which I believe assumes it's in excellent overall condition. The TT tenor is at $1000. The low values are because there's an "oversupply" of altos in this category. But you should check for an answer to your question from someone with a lot of experience on a page I make frequent use of before making sax buying decisions.

Answer:
Mid 30's to pre WWII for the sweetest of the Buescher saxes.

Answer:
Steven: My silver TT alto dates to the early '20's and is the equal of my MKVI and Conn Chu. It is a terrific alto - and it does not have the original snap-in pads.
If the horn you are looking at is an alto and needs no work, I'd start at $500.00 and see where that takes you. I have more than that in mine, but I bought it sight-unseen off of eBay, then had it overhauled. In my opinion, if a vintage Buescher plays, it doesn't matter what serial number range it is in - it will be worth it. DAVE

Answer:
Steven,
Paulwl posted a well-written message recently about this very subject on another Buescher thread. His insight is that the different Buescher models represent not just a progressive improvement in mechanics but an evolution in the tonal concept of the saxophone.
True Tone and New Aristocrat horns have a darker, more resistant, and a kind of woody tonal quality that's along the lines of Adolphe Sax's concepts. Aristocrats from the mid-30's have some different qualities from the True Tone/New Aristocrat. They are not as resistant and don't have that woody tonal quality. Their sound tends to be bigger and more projecting. The TH&C 400 has even less resistance and is typically brighter sounding than the Aristocrats.
From this point of view, there is no "best" when it comes to vintage Bueschers. It's a matter of finding the best match between your personal tonal concepts & musical style to a particular Buescher model. Personally, I'd be happy with any Buescher: True Tone, New Aristocrat, Aristocrat, 400! Never the less, I'm deeply attracted to the True Tone. It's darker and woody sound appeals to me.

Answer:
No argument with any of the earlier comments, but as to the TTs themselves, yes of course there were some improvements over time. A significant watershed was when the front high F coming in at about 190K. 217K should be very good. I have had several TTs (sop, alto, tenor) and 211K and 220K have been amongst the best players.
Silver plate, if clean, is always nice (although the grimy ones will often clean up and the dirt - depending on itsnature - may well have protected the sax!). Some regard the gold-plated or lacquered horns as better, but there is less likelihood of dodgy refinishing with a SP when it is clearly in good condition.

Answer:
Some of the late TT's and New Aristocrats are great players too. I prefer the darkness of the mid 30's but have found that I need the power and projection that these horns have. These are the loudest most penetrating saxes I have ever played. The altissimo response of the mid 30's horns is better than the earlier and later models. At least in the 40 or so Buescher saxes I have played or owned. This is across all types, Sop through Bari.
The Buescher sound is very addictive, it makes doing some very difficult techniques quite effortless. I like Conns and Martins for very different reasons and sounds. In the end, it is tone that disctates which horn I will use on a certain gig.

Answer:
Buescher TT Soprano 1926-27/ 21793X
Gentleman
Thank you for the quick responce. The sax I want is actually a Soprano.
I played a King-alto years ago, but recently I heard Dave Koz on a jazz station here in Minneapolis and It knocked me out !WOW!
THAT IS ONE HEAVY KAT!
Anyway, I said to myself, (self), you gatta get back in the game and start playing again!
This is why to all the questions on the Buescher SOP. I REALLY like that strong, rich tone!
What would each of you gentleman pay a Buescher TT SOP in GREAT playing condition, Silver finish needs a good polishing?
Is $1100 too much. :?:
Also will it decrease it's value it I have the tech. and a ring for a neck strap?
You guys are the BEST! :D
Increase the Peace!
Steven

Answer:
Estimated value from the Gourmet's site for a Bb soprano Buescher TT in top shape is $1600, but that must be taken only as a guideline. A 'C' soprano is valued at $1000, but only if it has the original mouthpiece.
Also, according to info at , Dave Koz plays a Yamaha YSS-62 silver-plated straight sop and a vintage Conn curved sop, but these things are subject to change.
I had a vintage straight silver Conn that was in great shape, had a full rich sound and projected well, but I couldn't get used to the left hand palm keys that seemed to be in hiding (flat to the body) and the thumb ring which irritated my thumb (which I know could have been fixed).
I can't say whether $1100 is about right for the sax you're looking at because I'm not sufficiently expert in this area to make that judgement and there's always the caveat that one man's got-to-have-it horn may be another man's ho-hum, if you know what I mean.

Answer:
Steven,
The prices listed on SG's website are relative, of course, and may be a couple of years old. I'm not sure when they were lasted updated. Thus, it's possible that the soprano prices you're looking at could be somewhat understated. With this in mind, I'd suggest that you do some comparative shopping.
One of the very best sources for top quality vintage horns is Gayle at . I got my 238K Buescher soprano from her and it's a truly exceptional horn. I'd suggest that you check out the prices for her sopranos. Now, one thing to remember is she works on them so that they are properly set up and ready to play. Thus, her prices may be a bit higher than other sources. Never the less, it's worth it in terms of quality. Another source is Dave Hoskins at . Dave doesn't overhaul his horns like Gayle does. Thus, his prices are often a bit lower than Gayle's. If I get a horn from Dave I'll keep in mind that I MAY need to have some additional work done to it by my repair tech. Other folks on the Forum might suggest other sources to check out in order to do some comparative shopping.
If the soprano you're looking at is truly in good playing condition and all it needs is some polish, I'd say that $1,100 sounds like a pretty good deal. I've seen Buescher sopranos in that serial number range going for higher prices. But, again, please check a number of other sources for yourself and see the price ranges out there for a comparable TT soprano.

I'm not sure about what adding a neck strap ring will do to the horn's market value. I know a number of people who have made modifications to their straight sopranos. My personal feeling is that much depends upon the quality of the job your repair tech does. A good tech can make the ring appear to have been on the horn from the beginning. Whereas, another tech might end up doing a sloppy job. So, it's a matter of being careful about the tech you use.

Answer:
Steven: That the horn you queried is a soprano doesn't change my opinion much, except for the value. TT sops usually command more value than do the altos.
I have two silver TT straight sops (both in the #23xxxx range). Both are nice and are the equal of anything else in my closet. But big tone is subjective and only part of the soprano equation - I have an old '23 Conn gold-plated straight sop that has maybe the strongest sound of all my sops, yet the scale and the keywork is not up to my TTs nor my Yanagisawas. All are suitable for public performance.
Yes, the TT sop is a good one, but there are others out there just as good. I wouldn't pay too much just because the horn is a TT, unless it is superior in all areas of consideration.
And because some favored player uses one should not be the deciding factor, either. So much of a player's sound comes from within. I'd bet that player would sound just as good on a cheap Chinese soprano; plus most players switch around through their careers, so what you hear or see played once is not necessarily that player's favorite set-up.
Bottom line, $1100.00 doesn't seem too steep for a good TT. DAVE

Answer:
Buescher Soprano
Dave
Thanks again for the quick turn-arounds!
Maybe I mis-spoke. I wasn't saying that Koz played a TT. I was attempting to say that I've been doing some research based on some of the threads I've read on SOTW.
I've then gone out to music stores etc. and tried out many of the sopranos you ladies and gentleman spoke so highly of.
To make a long story short, for me it came down to two horns: the Buescher TT because I was able to experience the warmth of the tone, and the Yamaha 475-675, mainly because they were very easy to play, and had a fair to good sound quality.
For my money, the Buescher TT still won hands down just as many of you said. So that was the soprano I baught today as a matter of fact!
I was just attempting to GET some input into if I got, GOT! :shock:
Do to so many quick responces, and after talking to Gayle @ Vintagesax.com. I feel pretty good! :D
My plan now is just to get to know my horn, and maybe take a lesson or fifty in a month or so.
Thanks to SOTW, I'm in the mix!
You ALL are the GREATEST !
Can anyone suggest a good or great mpc or an instructor in Minneapolis/ St. Paul MN?
Thanks again
Steven

Answer:
Dave at junk dude has a 203*** TT sop for sale at the moment for $975
with new snaps etc.Might be worth a look
Dave

Answer:
Runyon and Bari sop mpcs are very very good and pretty durn cheap. You might never feel moved to upgrade beyond them. If you do decide to upgrade, you won't regret the time you spent on your Runyon/Bari.
My favorite sop mpc is a Barone.

Answer:
Steven: You are welcome. As to mouthpieces, that is even more subjective than saxophone brands. I prefer Selmer Super Session (in J facing) and use those on all of my sops, including the TTs. I also have a metal Link, a JodyJazz, a Bari Esprit, and several Selmer S-80 pieces, but none are as good as the SS - for me.
When Phil Barone was here in L.A. selling his pieces at a local store, I tested the sop pieces but for me they weren't nearly as good as the SS. I did buy an alto piece from Barone, but it is not one of my favorites.
We all react differently to mouthpieces. One good thing about the SS is that it is short and will push in far enough without being stopped by the upper octave key rib/post on a TT. Before the SS, I had to have my two favorite S-80s cut off so they would go far enough onto the cork. DAVE