American Triumph Art by F.A. Buescher Alto Sax

[Tootles]

I have an American Triumph Art by F. A. Buescher alto sax. It plays wonderfully, but I have no information on the sax. I was hoping that someone could help me out on this. Also, does anyone know if there is information on the history of Buescher? I can find info on Conn, and other companies, but not Buescher. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Grumps]

Hi Tootles,
If your American Triumph is anything like mine (tenor, Art Musical Instruments, Inc, F.A. Buescher, Pres.), it's not a Buescher at all; it's a Martin Stencil. Look at the tone holes. If they are bevelled (tapered around the edge), you've got a Martin Stencil. Another clue would be the egg shaped lyre holder.

F. A. "Gus" Buescher began his career making horns for Conn, then left to form his own company in the early 1900's. He retired in the early thirties, but for a brief period (1932) formed Art Musical Instruments, Inc. with Harry Pedler. Apparently they produced Martin Stencils (Martin horns of an older design with the Art logo 'stenciled' onto the bell), and they also made trumpets. You're only the third person I know with one of these horns. Yours is probably a stencil of a Martin Handcraft, which was a fine horn produced in the twenties. If yours has a front 'F' consider yourself lucky. It may not be worth much, but it will still have that characteristic Martin warmth to its sound.

Here are some links you might want to look into to confirm it's actually a Martin:

http://drrick.com/stencil.html
http://www.xs4all.nl/~adasof09/ (the Martin Story)

[Tootles]

Thank you for replying, It doesn't have bevelled tone holes and I'll have to look at the lyre holder. My other half has the horn and is using it for hers as I teach her how to play. I love the way it plays, so does she, I am definately jealous. But anyway, Thank you for giving me info on it, I like to find out as much as I can about my old saxes... Thanks

[Grumps]

Without the bevelled tone holes, the lyre holder won't matter; it's not a Martin stencil. Check out Dr. Rick's site and see if it matches either Conn or Buescher horns. It isn't unusual for even the same brand of stencil horn to be made from different original makes. Mine is very strange indeed.... a horn made by Martin with Buescher's name on it.

[Tootles]

The bow band and the left pinky cluster, resemble the Buescher, but it has what I believe to be a tunable neck on it. I took some quick pictures of it today before I took it in to get recorked, but I left the camera at my fiance's house. If you'd like I can post the pictures tomorrow, If you'd like to take a look. Thank you again for replying, you have been a great help.
Thanks

[Grumps]

Sure thing, post some pictures. That'll get a lot of folks involved in figuring out who made your horn. Another great site for vintage saxophone pics is:

http://www.saxpics.com/

[Tootles]

Sorry for the delay, but here are the pictures:

http://www.jenandmichaels.com/art.html

It might take some time for the page to load... I took alot of pictures.
Thanks

[stitch]

A Conn stencil - the merc C guard is the giveaway, plus the serial no format is typical of Conn (though they often prefaced stencils with a 'P'). That mouthpiece receiver is .... ummm .... different ....

[Grumps]

Looks like you have a stencil made from what was the original Conn Wonder series (the New Wonders had split bells for alto). As they didn't have microtuners for that design, yours looks like an add-on, as we're talking about a horn that was originally produced from 1895 to 1917, but stenciled after 1932. You've also got a front 'F' key which was a later add on. I couldn't make out the patent date, but that would be helpful as well in determining the precise era of design. As stitch pointed out, the Mercedes logo 'C' guard makes it a Conn stencil; that and the microtuner and bow design. Your alto has the same engraving as my tenor, which as I've said, was made by Martin. Strange, but not uncommon for stencils for the time.

[Tootles]

I should have the horn back for the repair man today, should be no later than tomorrow, and when I get it back i will post the Patent date. Thank you for your help.