[blowharder]

Hello,
I have recently purchases a Buescher 140 Alto sax (serial # 351141).
The sax should have a cleaning and repad and I am looking for suggestions on where to have this done.
My local music shop has quoted $575. My teacher and tech said he can do it for $350 but doesn't enjoy working without shellac. I went to MusicMedic and their cost is $1500, VintageSax.com has a price on their website at $750.00

I would love to say my playing ability (and wallet) would support and justify the MusicMedic treatment but that would be a stretch.

I did read up on snap-on pads. For whatever reason I am a purist and like the idea on bringing this horn back to what is was so the snap-ons appeal to be even if admittingly I don' t know what that means.

I am drawn to Bueschers and from my research I believe this should be a good horn. I also like the idea of "saving" a horn.
I hope to own a TH&C and Big B someday but for now it's this horn.

Please offer any advice and input and I will continue to search this forum for answers as well.

Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Shane

 

[VintageSaxGuy]

Welcome to the forum Shane, and congrats on the Buescher purchase! It's a great horn that should serve you well after receiving an overhaul. While a 400 TH&C is a completely different beast, what you have is essentially a Big B with different engraving.

Now...on to overhaul advice!

The big thing with these is not whether to use shellac or not...but to find someone who is willing to preserve the spuds/snaps (assuming most or all of them are still in tact). There are arguments from both sides about whether to use shellac or not, but using it is perfectly fine in terms of preserving the snap in pads. The thing that isn't fine is to grind out the spuds so traditional pads can be used (IMO, and most other Buescher owners feel this way).

I would seek out the most experienced tech in town who is comfortable working on vintage saxes and see where that leads you. It's not about the amount of money you spend, it's about who is actually doing the work.

If your teacher is known for doing good work, that would be a great place to start.

Does the music store do their own work? Because around here, they just send everything to a local tech and automatically add a premium to whatever the bill is. If yours does the same, it would be less expensive to find the person they use and go directly through them (if possible).

Now, for the boutique type shops. You normally pay a premium at these places...some more than others. What I've found is that generally, while you pay quite a bit more, you're paying for an attention to detail that many local techs don't have. And in general, you have more options in regard to the materials used when going with one of these places.

But the important thing to remember is that in terms of basic playability, a $400 overhaul is not necessarily inferior to a $1,500 overhaul.

 

[JL]

VintageSax.com has a price on their website at $750.00

Shane, there's your answer. Gayle at vintagesax is a Buescher expert and she's overhauled many, many Bueschers. She will do a stellar job. You don't want just any tech to work on a Buescher.

 

[saintsday]

Merry Christmas and welcome, Shane.

Gayle will do a very good job for you, but if you aren't in Florida you will need to ship the saxophone. It might be worth talking to every local professional to find out where they take their instruments. Usually one or two names will come up over and over again. Talk with those people about Bueschers and snap on pads. If they don't have a Ferree's account (they should) they can order the same correct metal backed pads from Music Medic for a little more money.

If you tell us what city you live in, there may be someone here who can give you a local recommendation. If you do end up shipping it to Gayle or anyone else, look here http://cybersax.com/packsax.html for some good information about packing. The most important thing is to keep the saxophone from moving inside the case.

 

[KeithL]

You may want to give Tim @ Sax Alley a call as well. He did my 'Crat tenor a couple of years ago. Check with him but I believe leaves the snap-ons but also uses shellac so the pads can be floated, adjusted, and leveled more easily.

You may want to just get the horn into playing condition and play it for a while before you jump into a full re-pad/ overhaul. Unless the instrument is in very good cosmetic condition and you acquired it at a very good price, you won't get an extra $500-$750 (cost of overhaul) back out of it if you decide to sell it. Don't get me wrong - well adjusted these horns play as well as anything ever made, but economically speaking, it only makes sense if you are committed to keeping and playing the instrument.

 

[blowharder]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I am located in Holland, MI, west side of the state.
I have found 2 places that can do a complete, correct re-pad, cork, wash, etc. for $350 - $450. The shops were Borodi Music in Cleveland and Low Key Music in South Carolina. Both shops are very familiar with Bueschers and from their websites appear to do good work. I will also give Gayle a call too.

I paid $200 for the sax so having a full overhaul should be worthwhile. Plus, I do plan on keeping it. I played it last night and it does need some work.

Regards,
Shane