[ferrari]

I just read a thread where a poster refered to an Aristocrat soprano. When exactly did they stop making them? I've only ever seen the Tru Tones.

 

[bruce bailey]

Probably meant True-Tone but there have been some that were made with the Aristocrat engraving. These were TTs that were ordered after soprano production stopped and were special orders. They then used the modern engraving and lacquer but were the same as a TT.

 

[ferrari]

Thanks Bruce. What year are we talking?

 

[Dave Dolson]

The trademark TRUE-TONE (words and logo) was put on all Bueschers since they first started using that logo and name. I don't know if they continued it after the Selmer deal.

I have never seen a Buescher TT soprano beyond 1928 (the year mine was made) although I'm sure they exist.

The model "True Tone" was dropped when the new Aristocrat line came out, as I understand it, but the logo and stamping "True Tone" on the back side remained. I'll defer to Bruce on his expertise about sopranos after mine. DAVE

 

[paulwl]

I own a curved sop engraved "Aristocrat", #278xxx, from 1936. AFAIK, curvies were still being made on special order into the '50s.

The last pro-model straight sop I know of is my #256xxx (1930). Buescher did some straights with simplified keys as part of their Academy beginning student line in the 50s.

 

[Dave Dolson]

paulwl: Good, glad to know that. My straight TT is 237XXX. Describe your curved Aristocrat, please . . . does it have the bell pads on the left side or do they remain split from that era? I assume it also has the TT logo and marking on the back . . . DAVE

 

[paulwl]

It's a late True-Tone in all but the engraving. Split bell pads, pinkie table with roller G#, needle springs.

I suspect my straight 256k may actually have stayed in inventory into the post WW2 years, because the engraving ("The Buescher," blackletter style) was done with an electric tool!

 

[bruce bailey]

The one I remember was from around 1937 (straight) and had the engraving period correct but was a TT series IV style. I think it was gold lacquer with nickel plated

 

[bruce bailey]

I remember a photo of one from around 1937 (straight) that was a TT series IV but with period correct engraving, gold lacquer and nickel plated keys. Do a search here at SOTW and there may be a thread on it with a photo. I forget how long ago it was. Also I have seen photos of curved Conn and Martin that were similar in design. The Martin looked Committeeish and the Conn had the deco 6M style engraving. These can be interesting but I doubt they play any different from the 20s horns.

 

[paulwl]

The Conn is probably a 4M, like mine (silver, dating to 1937). I had previously owned a 1926 curved Conn and I honestly do think some intonation tweeking had gone on between then and '37. For one thing, A2 is noticeably easier to bring into tune.

Conn straight sops probably sat around the plant as Bueschers did. Here's a "stretch" 18M with a 1929 serial that apparently didn't get sold until WW2.

I'm guessing the curved Martin was only keyed to Eb, like earlier ones?

 

[bruce bailey]

Yep, the Martin was only to Eb. Strange things do happen as I have a TT sopranino that was left over at the Conn plant and keyed to high F. They must have bought it from Buescher to experiment with. A friend got it around 1972 when Conn closed out Elkhart.