[Little Sax]

I have a Buescher curved soprano with it's original case. The case is in rough shape, but the latches close tightly and with my horn wrapped in silversmiths cloth, it doesn't move around inside.

The original metal rings that the handle would have attached to are still present and attached to the case quite solidly, but the actual handle is long gone. I was wondering if anybody had any ideas for a replacement handle that wouldn't look out-of-place on my 80 year-old case, yet would still be sturdy/reliable.

Thanks!

 

[Dave Dolson]

I replaced a Buescher alto case handle merely by buying one from WW&BW's catalog. I haven't looked at the latest catalog for case-handles but they used to have them - different styles and different measurements. I measured the mid-distance between the metal rings, then ordered a black-leather handle with the right distance between the ends.

I had a local luggage-repair shop install it. Looks PERFECT.

For my Buescher straight soprano case (the one with the handle on the top lid (a really unsafe design, in my opinion), I bought a black dog-collar at the local pet store, then belted it around the case for a snug fit. Now, even if the latches opened somehow, the little belt (dog collar) will hold the two parts together, preventing a spill. DAVE

 

[Little Sax]

I replaced a Buescher alto case handle merely by buying one from WW&BW's catalog. I haven't looked at the latest catalog for case-handles but they used to have them - different styles and different measurements. I measured the mid-distance between the metal rings, then ordered a black-leather handle with the right distance between the ends.[...]

Thanks Dave.

Looking at WWBW, I only seem to find three potential handles. Was the one you got something similar or different to what they're showing on-line these days?

 

[Dave Dolson]

I just looked at your link to WW&BW's case-handle section, then at my Buescher case with the replacement handle. Only one example was shown on the WW&BW page - mine doesn't look like that.

Mine is black leather over a formed metal piece. The black leather has two belt-buckles on each end and the end-loops are leather-over-metal.

I looked in my current WW&BW catalog but alas, case handles weren't shown. DAVE

 

[Little Sax]

I just sent and e-mail to these Brettons Village Trunk Shop. Their "Snap Handle" in black *might* work, but since the distance between my rings is only 4 and 3/4 inches, I'm worried that this handle might be too big. We'll see what they say.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Yes, those will likely work. I also saw on that site the "spring steel" handles. That is exactly what I used on my Buescher alto case. The black leather overlays the piece of spring steel with the curled part on each end. Looks perfectly stock on my old mid-'20's case. DAVE

 

[Little Sax]

Yes, those will likely work. I also saw on that site the "spring steel" handles. That is exactly what I used on my Buescher alto case. The black leather overlays the piece of spring steel with the curled part on each end. Looks perfectly stock on my old mid-'20's case. DAVE

I liked those handles quite a bit myself, unfortunately they're too big for my little case. The rings have to be between 6" and 7" apart and mine aren't even 5".... Very cool for an alto case though I imagine.