Buescher Versatility?

[Balladeer]

Please forgive my ignorance, but I still have not played a Buescher. I have become unhappy with my Mark VI alto. I suspect it has something to do with me now playing so much tenor that I miss the rich low sound when it's not there. I have been seriously considering picking up a Buescher alto off eBay. I will want good all-around tone and solid intonation. With a hard rubber mouthpiece I will expect to play everything from classical to big band to Desmond to Jay Beckenstein. With a Beechler Bellite I will want to move into Gerald Albright and David Sanborn territory. This would not be too much to ask of a Mark VI. Will it be too much to ask of a Buescher Big 'B' from the late 1940's?

[Dave Dolson]

Balladeer: I'm of the opinion that if a saxophone plays, it will be good for any type of music you may want to play. I own four altos (three vintage and one new) and I can play any one of them at any time - and be successful. That I favor my Buescher TT is because of its combination of tone, keywork, intonation and authenticity for my kind of music.

My ex-MKVI (a really nice one now in my son's hands) is the same as any of my others. They all play well. I cannot imagine a well set-up vintage Buescher failing to satisfy. DAVE

[Balladeer]

Dave: I agree with you for the most part. But in the last year I have learned that some vintage saxes will not mate well with a high baffle or square chamber mouthpiece. So, I'm seeking answers to the following 2 questions:
(1) Does anyone enjoy playing a Buescher for smooth jazz, and if so, which models?
(2) Will the Buescher intonate well with a contemporary mouthpiece like a Beechler Bellite?

[super20dan]

get a 400-its got the big lush sound you desire. i got my 400 for big band but can use it for r&b also

[Stencilman]

I have a late 1920's TrueTone alto that has a wonderfully unique contemporary sound with a Dukoff D9 mouthpiece. It can peel paint if I ask it to. The very low end is a bit "fuzzy" but I like it that way. My late 1920's Martins are my primary horns since they are in better shape.

The altos seem to do better with a medium chamber mouthpiece. Never tried the Bellite.

[JL]

Balladeer, all the above posts sound correct to me. However, I concur with your comment about missing the rich low sound of a tenor when you get on an alto. I find it hard to go back to alto very often, since I play tenor most of the time. Changing altos won't solve this for you. It's a matter of spending enough time back on the alto to get used to it again. I find it hard to put down the tenor in favor of the alto....tenor is just my preference I guess.

[Roger Aldridge]

Balladeer,

I read your message earlier today and thought that I'd pass on making a reply. You see, I've never played a Big B Buescher. But, after reading JL's message I wanted to say that I agree with him.

Personally, I think that most of what comes out of our horn is from our own concepts. Equipment, of course, makes a difference....but, it's like the icing on a cake. If we take our regular mouthpiece, reed, and ligature and play on a bunch of different horns chances are others (like an audience) wouldn't hear all that much difference between them. At least, this is my theory.

A lot of alto players don't spend that much time doing serious playing in the low register. They'll take a plunge now and then. But, pretty quickly they'll get back up into the higher range. Personally, I LOVE the low register on alto (and my other horns as well) and spend quite a bit of time working with it. I enjoy seeing how much I can do with that part of my horn. So, what I'm trying to say is that if you spend the time working on your alto's low range I don't think that it will matter all that much whether you're playing a Selmer, a Buescher, or whatever. You know? It's really coming from you....from your concept of the horn.

Having said that, I really love the low register on my Bueschers. It's full and vibrant. Vintage Conns also have a great low register. But, I'm most partial to Buescher.