Super 400

[Wicked Good]

Some questions for the Buescher gurus amongst us:

How do the Buescher Super 400s (late 50s - early 60s, with the vertical "Buescher" engraving and nickel keys) stack up against the earlier Top Hat & Cane 400s?

Are the Super 400s of that era considered top models or intermediates? The examples I've seen seem to have most of the signature TH&C features, like the back bell keys, silver tone ring on the bell, underslung neck and nickel rods.

I'm also curious about the quality of the body tube and bell metal of the Super 400s compared to that of the TH&Cs.

Thanks!

[Wicked Good]

Ah, I just found saxpic's descriptions of the 400 and Super 400. Pretty much as I thought, and very interesting reading. :idea:

http://www.saxpics.com/buescher/docs/400.htm

[Jedi2427]

Guys speaking of that very horn here is the text from the ad on ebay. I have relisted the horn and it is a no reserve auction. You can email me @: todoroff@aol.com Item #2520386289

I am selling this Buescher 400 tenor saxophone for a friend who can no longer play due to health reasons. I have made it a NO Reserve Auction, so someone will own this beautiful Buescher. The owner's father bought it new for him when he was a kid. The serial number is #371816, which puts it around 1962, well before Selmer took over. It is in near mint condition with only a few scratches near the bell, where it use to sit on the sax stand. The owner was mainly an alto player so this horn has scene limited action. It is original lacquer, with nickel plated keys, original neck (excellent) Norton springs, snap in resonator pads, which are in great shape. Original brown rollers too. The case is also original and in "very good" condition. The lacquer is nearly mint at about 97%. The horn has that Buescher big bell and a huge, beautiful sound with the same Bb and B key placement on the inside of the bell just like the Top Hat and Cane. The engaving says Buescher on the bell with "400" above it. I am a pro tenor player and this horn has a very Fat sound. I accept Paypal, but prefer Money Orders/ Cashiers Checks. Payment must be received within 7 days of auctions close. Buyer pays Shipping, US only please. Happy Bidding!

[Gregg W. Jackson]

I'm really impressed by the condition of that horn. I have a 400 tenor of the same vintage (363xxx) and after years of playing, my horn looks its age. But the horn that you show looks as good as mine did the day that I brought it home from the music store in 1961.

I hope that some discerning and deserving player buys it for a price that's fair to both of you.

[Jedi2427]

Thanks for the horn compliment! Yeah this early sixties 400 is a winner. Everything is solid on the horn, but that is mainly because the sax was seldom played. It plays to me like many Top Hat and Canes that I have tried. Unfortunately, the owner is selling his horns to pay the IRS.

[Wicked Good]

Been there, done that. In the mid 1980s I had to sell my Selmer Mark VI soprano to satisfy the demands of the Infernal Revenue Service. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

I found a lovely but beaten up Conn New Wonder satin silver soprano, with gold keywork and gold highlights in the engraving, on the floor of a local music store. Bought it cheap, fixed it up, and now I'll never play a Selmer again. What a horn!

It's Conns and Bueschers for me now.