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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / Buescher 400 Bari

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 11th 7:17 AM
Is the Buescher 400 the bari that is referred to as the "Big B?" How do these compare to other vintage horns? Also, did the 400 bari ever become a student model, like the Aristocrat? Thanks in advance for your expertise.

J. Calhoun
User ID: 0673084 Oct 11th 8:41 AM
No, it's not the "big B" or "Aristocrat". It is similar to the 400 tenors. The bell keys are tucked in between the bell and the body like those other 400s.

I've never seen a 400 bari that was not from the post-Selmer-takeover period (i.e., nickel plated keys, clear lacquer, either "Buescher 400" engraved vertically along the bell or "Buescher 400" in an oval near the end of the bell). I wonder if there were ever any "Top Hat and Cane" baris?

There were "Big B" baris, these have the bell keys on the left.

The Buescher 400 bari is still in production by Selmer US as the Selmer USA 1256. Up till a couple of years ago it was the Bundy. I expect the production quality of these is spotty, but the basic design is probably the same and the sound is probably the same if you get a good one.

I think the Bundy/US Selmer Buescher 400 baris are a sleeper out there.

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 11th 8:59 AM
Were the Buescher 400 baris made after the Selmer takeover still considered pro-level horns?

DD
User ID: 1982994 Oct 11th 9:18 AM
Dr. J - knowing you're in the general Erie area sometimes, I'll be playing at Reflections (15th/State) this Saturday 8:30 PM - SATB and Rhythm - stop by if you're in the vicinity. Won't have a B but my trusty, rusty 12M.

Gary Hartle
User ID: 9579203 Oct 11th 11:39 AM
Dr.J; Are you looking for a gig horn or what? We have a Signet low A bari in our band which is another re-badged Buescher 400, exactly the same as the Bundy, USA, etc. This bari has an immense sound, but the keywork is nightmarish. When I play my Martin bari after playing it, the Martin feels like a Selmer tenor. The LH table is murderous, especially with the low A. These horns have another fault, too - the linkage for the bell keys has no guard over it, and just holding the horn to your side will cause some of the bell keys to close a little, giving you an unexpected flat B or Bb sometimes. As much as I like the thundering sound of these baris, I think I'd get something else. There's a Couf (by JK) bari on ebay now that looks good. I've been curious about the current crop of Selmer clone Taiwanese baris, like Jupiter, WW&BW, etc. Anybody tried one? You can get a gold-plated one for $2500, for goodness sake.

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 11th 11:48 AM
Gary, about that Couf--
I know the girl who's selling it, and you won't find a more honest and pleasant person to deal with on E-Bay.

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 11th 11:53 AM
Gary, about that Couf--
I know the girl who's selling it, and you won't find a more honest and pleasant person to deal with on E-Bay.
By the way, I also have a Martin bari. Mine's a 1932 Handcraft Troubadour. I like it very much, but the only problem is that I have to use a vintage, large-chambered mouthpiece (a Babbitt Artist) or else it plays about a half-step sharp. I already have a Selmer USA bari for sale, but I'm looking for a pro model that will play well with a more modern mouthpiece, one that is tough enough to take the rigors of gigging.

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 11th 12:01 PM
Gary, about that Couf--
I know the girl who's selling it, and you won't find a more honest and pleasant person to deal with on E-Bay.
By the way, I also have a Martin bari. Mine's a 1932 Handcraft Troubadour. I like it very much, but the only problem is that I have to use a vintage, large-chambered mouthpiece (a Babbitt Artist) or else it plays about a half-step sharp. I already have a Selmer USA bari for sale, but I'm looking for a pro model that will play well with a more modern mouthpiece, one that is tough enough to take the rigors of gigging.

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 11th 12:02 PM
Sorry about the triple posting--our computers were in the process of crashing.

BrianA
User ID: 1564944 Oct 11th 12:48 PM
just curious, if you know the gal selling that Couf how come you are not buying it?

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 11th 1:02 PM
It's probably going to sell for more than I want to spend. Do you guys really think it's that good?

Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 11th 7:17 AM Is the Buescher 400 the bari that is referred to as the "Big B?" How do these compare to other vintage horns? Also, did the 400 bari ever become a student model, like the Aristocrat? Thanks in advance for your expertise.
J. Calhoun User ID: 0673084	Oct 11th 8:41 AM No, it's not the "big B" or "Aristocrat". It is similar to the 400 tenors. The bell keys are tucked in between the bell and the body like those other 400s. I've never seen a 400 bari that was not from the post-Selmer-takeover period (i.e., nickel plated keys, clear lacquer, either "Buescher 400" engraved vertically along the bell or "Buescher 400" in an oval near the end of the bell). I wonder if there were ever any "Top Hat and Cane" baris? There were "Big B" baris, these have the bell keys on the left. The Buescher 400 bari is still in production by Selmer US as the Selmer USA 1256. Up till a couple of years ago it was the Bundy. I expect the production quality of these is spotty, but the basic design is probably the same and the sound is probably the same if you get a good one. I think the Bundy/US Selmer Buescher 400 baris are a sleeper out there.
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 11th 8:59 AM Were the Buescher 400 baris made after the Selmer takeover still considered pro-level horns?
DD User ID: 1982994	Oct 11th 9:18 AM Dr. J - knowing you're in the general Erie area sometimes, I'll be playing at Reflections (15th/State) this Saturday 8:30 PM - SATB and Rhythm - stop by if you're in the vicinity. Won't have a B but my trusty, rusty 12M.
Gary Hartle User ID: 9579203	Oct 11th 11:39 AM Dr.J; Are you looking for a gig horn or what? We have a Signet low A bari in our band which is another re-badged Buescher 400, exactly the same as the Bundy, USA, etc. This bari has an immense sound, but the keywork is nightmarish. When I play my Martin bari after playing it, the Martin feels like a Selmer tenor. The LH table is murderous, especially with the low A. These horns have another fault, too - the linkage for the bell keys has no guard over it, and just holding the horn to your side will cause some of the bell keys to close a little, giving you an unexpected flat B or Bb sometimes. As much as I like the thundering sound of these baris, I think I'd get something else. There's a Couf (by JK) bari on ebay now that looks good. I've been curious about the current crop of Selmer clone Taiwanese baris, like Jupiter, WW&BW, etc. Anybody tried one? You can get a gold-plated one for $2500, for goodness sake.
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 11th 11:48 AM Gary, about that Couf-- I know the girl who's selling it, and you won't find a more honest and pleasant person to deal with on E-Bay.
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 11th 11:53 AM Gary, about that Couf-- I know the girl who's selling it, and you won't find a more honest and pleasant person to deal with on E-Bay. By the way, I also have a Martin bari. Mine's a 1932 Handcraft Troubadour. I like it very much, but the only problem is that I have to use a vintage, large-chambered mouthpiece (a Babbitt Artist) or else it plays about a half-step sharp. I already have a Selmer USA bari for sale, but I'm looking for a pro model that will play well with a more modern mouthpiece, one that is tough enough to take the rigors of gigging.
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 11th 12:01 PM Gary, about that Couf-- I know the girl who's selling it, and you won't find a more honest and pleasant person to deal with on E-Bay. By the way, I also have a Martin bari. Mine's a 1932 Handcraft Troubadour. I like it very much, but the only problem is that I have to use a vintage, large-chambered mouthpiece (a Babbitt Artist) or else it plays about a half-step sharp. I already have a Selmer USA bari for sale, but I'm looking for a pro model that will play well with a more modern mouthpiece, one that is tough enough to take the rigors of gigging.
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 11th 12:02 PM Sorry about the triple posting--our computers were in the process of crashing.
BrianA User ID: 1564944	Oct 11th 12:48 PM just curious, if you know the gal selling that Couf how come you are not buying it?
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 11th 1:02 PM It's probably going to sell for more than I want to spend. Do you guys really think it's that good?