[ZephyrSax]

Here's a quick question for those of you in the Buescher know. Assume this gold 1925 Buescher True Tone (S/N 178XXX) needs a few but not a lot of pads, a slight adjustment, but otherwise perfect. What would you pay for it/what's it worth? I have a lead on one.

EDIT: It has a front F. It's also an alto!

 

[abadcliche]

Alto= 600
Tenor = 900
Bari = 1300

All prices USD and IMHO, and assuming very very good condition on the body and plating, all snaps present, all nortons present. You are saying it needs some padwork, so the prices reflect that.


PS: I used to vacation in Canada when I was a kid, and I remember saving up my allowance to take to Canada because everything was so ridiculously cheap- penny candy in Bobcaygeon cost me 2/3 of one US cent! Now 1 USD is less than 1 CAD! Amazing.

 

[ZephyrSax]

So let's see...fix it up a bit, clean it, change a pad or two...maybe $700 or slightly higher for the alto? That's not bad...maybe I should get it...

PS: I know, prices are fabulous right now for buying U.S. stuff! It does hurt exports, of course... It's actually been a rather sore spot with some U.S. dealers, who refuse CDN now that it's higher...I remember, not all that long ago, the 60 cents on the dollar that you're talking about. Funny how things change...the CDN dollar has made it right up to 1.04 USD, but I doubt it'll go much higher...but who knows? 60 - 1.04 in 10 years? "Amazing" is right...

 

[bruce bailey]

I would probably put it a bit higher. I recently sold a silver one like it (series II) with the pearl G# and no rollers for $500 here at Sotw. This gold one should be worth about $900+ on todays market with good pads and finish. I priced the one I sent you photos of at $1,250 (series II with original case). Although the IVs are worth more, the IIs are still quite good players and the gold plate is a real plus. If it only needs a few pads and an adjustment, you may be ready to go for $700!

 

[ZephyrSax]

A bit higher? Hmm...sounds good...maybe I shall jump on this one (the owner wants about $400), even if I only put it back on the market again...to raise funds to buy other saxes perhaps?? (hint, hint )

Oh, Bruce...I'm by no means questioning your pricing here, this is a different sale altogether... Isn't your gold one, being 239,XXX, a IV, though? I agree that those are worth more.

Here's a question, though - why are the IVs more? Is it just the roller G#? There's got to be more to it than that...

 

[bruce bailey]

Front F and pinky cluster are the main differences although I have never found that the IIs play as well as the III and IV series. I am not a Buescher person so perhaps someone else will offer some extras. Assuming a horn is a name brand with good gold plating and decent pads, it should be worth close to $1,000 by default. Maybe with the Bueschers the great number of series II vs. the III and IV have something to do with pricing.

 

[Grumps]

You're really not going to make much of a profit flipping alto True Tones. There's just too many of them on the market and they still can be had for around $300 on Ebay. One in gold plate that has a custom ordered front F might bump up the value a couple of hundred bucks, but then again... the front F may have been an after-market add-on; which might devalue a gold plated example for a collector.

 

[ZephyrSax]

You're really not going to make much of a profit flipping alto True Tones. There's just too many of them on the market and they still can be had for around $300 on Ebay. One in gold plate that has a custom ordered front F might bump up the value a couple of hundred bucks, but then again... the front F may have been an after-market add-on; which might devalue a gold plated example for a collector.

...this is a sad realization.

 

[bruce bailey]

Tust me, get a series II or IV. In a Conn you can go back to about 100,xxx and have all those features. For a Buescher you need to go about 195,xxx and on a Martin about 80,xxx. When you are going to the hassle of buying, repadding, adjusting, etc. you might as well do it to a horn that is a better player. I can play an early Martin OK but with no front F and spotty intonation, I will get out another alto. Also anyone who likes vintage altos will have several as they are really bargains compared to tenor, bari and flute prices. An entry level pro flute will start around $2K and for that money, you can own a Martin, Buescher AND Conn Alto. Geez, I have about 16 altos now.......I need help!

 

[ZephyrSax]

Those are very helpful numbers there, thanks a bunch, Bruce... . I'm actually budgeting that much money right, now...hehehe...and I'm thinking I could get all three and flip back what I don't like (not necessarily for a profit).

Let's see...

Conn NW Series I/II - 750
Martin - I don't know which model...
Buescher IV True Tone - 750

Yeah, it can be done (Bad GAS! Bad!)...