[ElNorteno]

Hello everyone

I just bought a buescher aristrocat alto saxophone. i wanted to ask you guys the experts were i can find info about my sax. As i mentioned I just bouth a Buescher Aristrocrat. The serial number on it is # 111120 the number below that im guessing is the model number it is as follows # S - 39 The person whom i bought it from said her parents bought it for her in 1967 but she never playe it and was on her basement all this time. Any comment would help thanks guys.

 

[Sasquatch]

According to my source that is a 1922 Buescher. Horns of that vintage and make are held in high regard on this forum. Enjoy

 

[Grumps]

Serial #111120

Model # S - 39

does the S 39 mean its the selmer made ones of lower quanlity even so how low quality is it.

If it says "Aristocrat", a vintage serial number such as "111120" would not be appropriate, so you might want to ignore the post above. With the Model # starting with an S, that would be akin to a later Aristocrat (post Selmer buyout), which are not horns generally held in high regard. A picture would be most helpful, and/or a description of any engravings or markings; and you might want to make sure you didn't miss a digit in the serial number as well.

 

[Sasquatch]

I've been ignored before. No biggie

 

[Grumps]

No offense Sasquatch, but this one needs to be sorted out a bit. There's not much out there concerning post Selmer buyout Buescher serial numbers; and what is out there is somewhat conflicting.

 

[John S.]

There is a huge amount of information available, beginning with this Forum. Use the search function for Buescher Aristocrat and/or go to the Buescher sub-forum under Makes and Models. Also, some of the dealer websites such as saxgourmet.com and worldwidesax.com have very useful information on serial numbers, features, history, value, etc. These sources will also send you to more links on the Aristocrat.

---------------------
John

 

[ElNorteno]

thanks guys

What the previous owner told me was that there was a mistake by whoever made the sax in the engraving of the serial number. The reason is because Buescher dint make Aristrocrat in the 1920's. Neverthe less I will try to post some pics of it. I want to know if its worth putting money in it to get it playabe. I really apreciate your comment fellas thank you very much. And forgive all my typos on my messages.

 

[ElNorteno]

thanks jhon i aprreciate your response

 

[zxcvbnm]

It is not an engraving mistake. Also, it is probably a student sax, because Selmer started turning Buescher into their student line after they were bought.

 

[Grumps]

There is a huge amount of information available...

Specifically for post Selmer buyout Aristocrats and the various S models?

 

[JL]

From what has been said so far, I'd guess it's almost certainly a post Selmer buyout "Buescher." I put the Buescher in quotes, because these are not the same as the pro-line of vintage Bueschers prior to the early '60s when Selmer bought them out.

ElNorteno, you don't want to pay much for a post-Selmer buyout Aristocrat. The earlier ones are another matter. So it's very important you sort this out. Post a photo, if possible.

 

[saintsday]

Does it look anything like this? Please describe the engraving and tell us whether the keys match the body of the horn.

Grumps is correct. If this is a post buyout horn, information is very scarce.

 

[ElNorteno]

Here are the pics of my buescher i bought for 100 bucks.

 

[ElNorteno]

Hello guys I have a cople of questions

1.In Pic #3 if you guys notice that huge dent on the bottom of the sax, well does that impact greatly the sound of the sax? and if it does how much is it to fix and is it worth it?

2. In Pic #5 you can see the logo on the bell it spelll beuscher vertically and Aristocrat horizontally.

3. and on pIc #4 you can see the serial and model #'s vaguely I sould say.

What do you guys think. Im asking any of this great forum members for help.

 

[Sax Magic]

You would prefer to have that dent pushed out by a quality tech. It is not "the end of the world" but it is not a good thing for those low notes.

Your bell does not say "400" on it, as many of the Bueschers did in the previous decade, if memory serves. Except for the bell key guard for the lowest notes, the horn appears to be a dead ringer for my 1965 Selmer Bundy (now known as Bundy I), a decent horn if in good playing condition. Add to that the attestation of your seller that her parents bought the horn in 1967, and you have a probable post-Selmer buyout horn. This means that Selmer tinkered with the Buescher designs a bit to make a "student" horn so that they didn't compete with themselves (i.e, Selmer "intermediate" Signet and Selmer Mark VI "pro" horns). There has been some discussion here on SOTW about whether the body tubes were pure Buescher or altered, and I got no feeling of concensus.

On the other hand, if the horn plays well and only needs that dent pushed out and minor adjusting, $100 is cheap for a playing instrument of decent quality. "Student" saxes today of name brands (i.e., Yamaha) start at around $1500 for altos, but are so plentiful that they can be found used in the $300 -$500 range. If the horn can be made to play with little more expense, you came out ahead.

Sax Magic

 

[JL]

On the other hand, if the horn plays well and only needs that dent pushed out and minor adjusting, $100 is cheap for a playing instrument of decent quality.

Where did elnorteno state the horn was going for $100? Did I miss that? Indeed this horn would easily be worth $100, but not a whole lot more, since you can easily find up a True Tone alto for $300 to $500, depending on condition, and have a much better alto. Definitely this is a later model, and not one of the prime vintage Bueschers.

 

[davevillajr]

Post #13 he says he got it for $100.

dv

 

[ElNorteno]

Gentlemen Thank you veru much for all your help

I did biy this horn at 100.00 from a craigslist ad. Thank you for your advice. What im gonna do next is just get it fine tuned replace some pads and eventually push that dent out. Thanx guys for all your help it is greatly appreciated

 

[JL]

Post #13 he says he got it for $100.

dv

You're right of course. I was just looking at the picture and didn't see the writing. So, yeah, that's a good deal, assuming it doesn't need a lot of work.

 

[saintsday]

It certainly isn't a collectible horn, but it could be a good player. It looks as though it is late enough that the Nortons have disappeared.