Links are broken friend. I'd actually love to see these pics. xD

 

I saw both of these on ebay and was amazed to see 2 of them up for sale at the same time. I have played a couple and all I can offer is that the difference between a curved and straight soprano is shared with curved and straight Alto's.

Charlie

 

... and that difference is?

 

correct links are:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200487168693
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220574338654

 

(ignore...edited previous msg)

 

Prices on these reflect a collector's market. The horns play great but that's not why they cost so much. If you like a normal 1928 Buescher alto, you'll like the straight alto. They sound a little darker to the player because the bell is so far away.

 

Hi Randy
Can you tell us a bit about your vintage green Buescher? Where and when did you get it? Ever seen another one like it? Seems like it would be one of a kind...

 

however there are alternatives, Keilwerth made a straight alto too but it is now discontinued due to very little interest in the thing, Rampone & Cazzani makes an Altello

(the youtube audio is unfair to the great musician and horn!)

There are now a fair amount of those straight altos coming from China, notably, the best being a Wisemann , a blatant GOOD copy of the Keilwerth, not cheap though, there are many cheaper ones like the one made or sold by Opus

 

I have played a couple of the old Buescher straight altos. When I was at music school, I borrowed one from Paul Cohen, the legit saxophone professor. I had been at Paul's house in New Jersey, because I was dating one of his students, and I realized I had a big band rehearsal and didn't have my alto or mouthpiece. I showed up to play lead alto that day with a Buescher straight alto and a green and red "diamond dot" Beechler mouthpiece.

Anyway, that was over 20 years ago, but I do remember the straight alto to be much better than the average "True Tone" alto. It was mellow and very resonant. Fun to play.

 

For sopranos or for altos?
For players or for listeners?

I've only played the straight alto once, so I might not be remembering the experience clearly.
But I'm pretty confident about the sopranos - I've own both curveds and straights for years.

 

I was talking altos .