[diamond78]

I am looking at a Silvertone tenor - 90% lacquer, recently serviced. Comes with a new J&D Hite mouthpiece. I have read these are stencils from Buescher...what would a horn like this be worth?

 

[bfoster64]

I had one of these, a tenor. It was in great shape but it did not play very well, even after I had it adjusted and some pads replaced. The intonation and response were poor and uneven. The tone was alright. I haven't played a lot of Bueschers, but I have played two TH&C tenors. The silvertone was nothing like those. I think I paid about $350 for the Silvertone. It needed $50-100 worth of work. I wouldn't buy one again.

 

[J.Max]

Silvertones were made for Sears...Sears horns have never had good reputations...

 

[Little Sax]

I have a Conn-built Silvertone alto (model 42M) that absolutely wails.

View attachment 3578

 

[blackfrancis]

I have a Silvertone tenor for my backup and it works well. Good intonation, nice tone, great altissimo- on the bad side, the (low) E and D keys have to travel about a mile to close... but for the money, I'm pleased. I paid $400- bought it here on SOTW!

 

[Grumps]

I have read these are stencils from Buescher...

They can be, but you'll have to show pictures of the horn or describe it in more detail. Certain stencil brands came from different manufacturers. Some of the easy ways to tell:

Beveled tone holes = Martin
Mercedes style C guard = Conn
Rooster bow guard = Buescher

 

[diamond78]

I actually haven't seen it yet...I am supposed to be looking at it tomorrow and wanted to know if I would be getting a good horn for a good price. Looks like there is some debate over whether it's really a good horn? Would I be better off with something else?

 

[bfoster64]

That's correct it isn't necessarilly a Buescher. You should be able to tell who made it with a little research (try Saxpics). The Buescher Silvertone I had did not have the rooster-style bow guard, so look for the Aristo Series I style wire bell key guard and some other Buescher features.

Since you have the chance to play it, you should be able to tell if it is a good horn or not. Just make sure you bring a tuner and a couple different mouthpieces to try.

 

[Frank D]

Silvertones were made for Sears...Sears horns have never had good reputations...

Yes, but the Craftsman horns came with a lifetime guaranty

 

[Tandava]

SILVERTONE by Buescher and SILVERTONE by Kohlert

here we are talking about two different horns. One of them - cheap Buescher stencil Silvertone, good student horn and another one professional model built by Kohlert or one of the Keilwerth factories. Very well pro built horn with rolled tone holes, built the same quality way like Conn 10M, Buescher Big B or even french SML, Buffet, Selmer. I played few of them, great key action and great tone...!!! Undervaluated and unknown pro horn !