[dubrosa22]

Hey guys I was hoping that someone could shed some light on this alto described by the seller as a Selmer Buescher from the 1920's (I'm doubtful about that date but I don't know anything about Bueschers) and has the name 'Mignon' engraved on the bell.

No serial provided or clear pics, just these:

Is this horn worth refurb'ing?
Any info would be appreciated :mrgreen:

 

[maddenma]

Nothing "Buescher" about this horn. Not sure what it is. Got the original eBay link?

 

[VintageSaxGuy]

Not a Selmer, not a Buescher, and not from the 20's :|.

 

[jicaino]

It's a malerne

 

[dubrosa22]

Not a Selmer, not a Buescher, and not from the 20's :|.

Exactly what I was thinking but was curious 'cos it's close to home and thought it might be an oddball stencil of some kind.

I've asked the seller for more info, serial number, more photos etc. but nothing back from them yet...

eBay Mignon

 

[dubrosa22]

@jcaino Do you have any info on the Malerne 'Mignon'?
Searches suggest they are nice horns - what period would you expect this to be from? To my eyes it looks 40s or 50s which is why I doubted the 1920s reference from the seller.

Is it worth bothering with if I can get it really cheap?

 

[dubrosa22]

Update: it has serial 42xx on the body and the neck.

Looks like I'm gonna have a look at it tomorrow or so.

 

[cvsimson]

Not a Selmer, not a Buescher, and not from the 20's :|.

Agreed.
I've never seen a horn with this kind of keygards before the 40's.

 

[bruce bailey]

Probably from the mid 50s or later. Does look like a Malerne or other French sax. I doubt it is worth fixing as the plating is gone and it will probably need at least $500 worth of work to make it a $350 horn.

 

[jicaino]

Hy dubrosa22 no, have no information on malernes, just "schooled" enough on them to recognize this one is a Malerne stencil.

 

[JL]

I'd save my money and buy a filet mignon instead. Then look for a real Buescher!

 

[Farina_man]

I had a "Mignon" baritone once, probably dated to the '60's or '70's. It wasn't much good, but was stamped "made in Czechoslovakia". I agree this alto has the look of a french sax of the '50's/'60's, possibly a Malerne; I'm pretty certain it's not a Pierret.

 

[dubrosa22]

I think I'm gonna pass on this one, thanks guys

 

[dubrosa22]

I'd save my money and buy a filet mignon instead. Then look for a real Buescher!

Filet mignon is what Google keeps wanting to give me when I search for this sucker... :lol:
It's, like, a sign man... :hippy2:

 

[JL]

Filet mignon is what Google keeps wanting to give me when I search for this sucker... :lol:
It's, like, a sign man... :hippy2:

Yeah, and a red flag as well. Don't mess around with something like this no-name horn. If you want a great alto at a low price, look for a late '20s Buescher True Tone. There are tons of them around (which partly shows how durable they are, as well as keeping the price down) and they really are great altos.