[billl]

I have a Buescher 400 tenor from 1967 that I like more and more as I get better. But due to the difficult LH pinky stretch on the table keys I've been wanting to try a horn reputed to have top ergonomics. So I tried a brand new Yamaha 82Z custom which was the best horn my Seattle area shop had. Unlike the 400, these have the table on the outside of the rods which gives the pinky a little more leverage. The salesman brought it to the practice room with an Eastman 52nd Street ETS652-RL, and I never looked at the logos or numbers so I didn't know which horn was which. In fact, I didn't know that one of them was an Eastman. As for the ease of playing, I couldn't get used to the table keys. The up/down move between B and Bb just didn't make sense to my fingers. I'm so used to the left/right movement on the 400. The high D, E, F palm keys weren't easier on the new horns either, which really surprised me.
Overall, I found the layout similar on the Yamaha and the Eastman, and neither was to my liking. Soundwise...the 400 dominates. I'm not one of those people that can describe subtle sound qualities like a good wine. The 400 blew freer, and lets just say the tone was more "interesting" to my ear. I'm really glad that after several years intending to do this comparison, I can say that I like the horn I have, and don't need to spend any money! However, I'm going to New York in April and will visit KB Sax and USA Sax. There I'm sure I will be tempted by some awesome horns.

 

[ZootTheSim]

You could always look for an earlier vintage 400, billl. My late-'50s TH&C has very compact keywork and a really comfy LH table--much more so than other tenors I've played.

And you're right, the tone on these horns is awesome.

 

[rzzzzz]

you're right, the tone on these horns is awesome.

no argument here.

 

[Reet McVouty]

I bought a YAS-62II back in 2011. It has an excellent tone and great projection. I tried it against two YAS-82Z's and it really was the better of the the three. Now, if you were playing a worn out Selmer and wanted to move on to a new horn without the price-tag of a new Selmer, I would say go with a Yamaha as it is of a similar design and sound concept. But, a Buescher it is not.

My first horn back in the 60's was a Buescher Aristocrat. It had the most wonderful lush tone of any horn I've had and I've had at least one of every brand in my lifetime. So, moving on. One day about a year after I bought my Yamaha I was working a job in Vegas and on a day off I go to a Sam Ash to try some mouthpieces. They set me up with a Cannonball Big Bell alto and it blew me away. The sound was so close to my old Buescher I just had to get one! Now, I still own the Yamaha but my Cannonball is my main horn. So, if you're looking to modernize and get a similar sound to what you have now try the Cannonballs.

As far as the LH pinky table goes, you're going to find all the modern stuff to be awkward because you've been playing the 400 so long. It will take a little while but you will eventually become accustomed to it after playing and developing the muscle memory. Good luck horn hunting.

 

[turf3]

Maybe try a King Super 20 later model? They have the left hand keys pivoted in the modern direction, but the old school ballsy tone.

Conn 10M is also the same basic layout but a little different than Buescher.

 

[mijderf]

Hey Billl, I also prefer the 3 across LH pinky layout. I have played Buescher and Conn, and I find the Conn a little easier in the LH table area. Turf3 is correct, the Buescher and 10M LH layouts are pretty similar, but I seem to find that the C# is a little easier to actuate on the Conn.

 

[billl]

Funny you should mention the Super 20. I bought a 1940s Zephyr a few years ago. Man, what a big beautiful sound! But the left hand was a bigger stretch than my 400, and I couldn't make it work so I sold it on SOTW after a year.

 

[billl]

I really want to try a TH&C. How is it different from an Aristocrat?

 

[Dr G]

I really want to try a TH&C. How is it different from an Aristocrat?

Much. I like 'em both - owned both at the same time. Two very different horns in my experience - different left pinkie tables, different voices, and different response. Both were great horns.

That experience helped me nail down the decision to own two Borgani Jubilee tenors - one big bore (ala TH&C) and one smaller bored (ala Big B). I like having the same mechanism on the two, otherwise very different, tenors.

 

[JL]

Soundwise...the 400 dominates. I'm not one of those people that can describe subtle sound qualities like a good wine. The 400 blew freer, and lets just say the tone was more "interesting" to my ear. I'm really glad that after several years intending to do this comparison, I can say that I like the horn I have, and don't need to spend any money!

No surprise there. You're probably just fine with that 400, but if you want to try something else, I agree with those suggesting the earlier model (TH&C), or if you want to spend less money, try an (late '40s-'50) Aristocrat 156.

 

[billl]

Much. I like 'em both - owned both at the same time. Two very different horns in my experience - different left pinkie tables, different voices, and different response. Both were great horns.

That experience helped me nail down the decision to own two Borgani Jubilee tenors - one big bore (ala TH&C) and one smaller bored (ala Big B). I like having the same mechanism on the two, otherwise very different, tenors.

Thanks Dr G. Turns out that there's only one west coast dealer for Borgani, and he's practically next door to me. I'll check them out.
billl