[Tryptykon]

This has probably been confirmed somewhere in the archives, but ..

I have an early[1st year ?] Big B tenor; s/n 293,xxx so it has:

the smaller bell, and trill G# key of the previous [S1] Aristos

but.. it has the ribbon guards, wish bone neck 8va key and triangular body octave key
of the 40s Aristos(naturally..).

I can't help but conclude it's still, essentially, an S1, despite the transitional cosmetics.

What say ye, fellow Buescherites ?

 

[Seasax]

well, a prototype would be a possible reason?

 

[Tryptykon]

Prototype .. hmmm .. I don't think that's necessarily the case, here.

I was on Saxpics site, and it seems the earliest Big B that he's seen is 294,xxx,
but I assume that means earliest in terms of submitted photos(?).

This one is 293,xxx; a wee bit earlier, but my main suspicion is that it appears
to be the same body tube [from neck to bell flare] as an S1, aside from the
aforementioned updates.

......Dunno .. plays great though .

 

[Hornlip]

I've seen one of these, just like you're describing. It was exactly like the "S1" Aristocrat, except for the engraving, keyguards & octave key, which were consistent with the new series. I would say it's basically a "S1" horn with "S2" cosmetics.

 

[Tryptykon]

Thanks for that, Hornlip .

I think these change around 309,xxx to the larger bell flare - did some more research..
I did play a 310,xxx a couple of months ago that had the larger flare.

Anyway, I agree early versions are still S1 spec-- again, probably old news for the initiated.

 

[Dave dix]

Buescher were clearing out old stock on the first big B's
Dave

 

[tomonsax]

Buescher were clearing out old stock on the first big B's
Dave

god idea- i have an 299xxx Big B and it plays great- a friend plays on an
290xxx S1 and that has as well this dark tone... I wouldn't know which to prefer.

 

[Dave dix]

The only difference was ribbon keyguards instead of the art deco type and engravings
Dave

 

[OnyxSax]

I think the change to the larger bell was earlier. I know my 305,xxx Big B is a large bell model.

 

[Tryptykon]

I think the change to the larger bell was earlier. I know my 305,xxx Big B is a large bell model.

I think you're right; my mistake .