[Sigmund451]

You can get well made pieces...good response, etc... but Sop is so different that I dont think you can really say that one is going to play like your alto piece.

Mainly do not get macho with a big tip and get something well made.

Sop pieces have bad tempers. There are very small tolerances and small errors show up as big problems. An alto piece will get thin up top if its not well adjusted. Response will be sluggish and altissimo difficult. On sop if there are errors in the facing it will be much harder to even get sound from the palm keys...much less quality.

 

[Sigmund451]

I dont know the specifics of Buescher models but the sops are sought after. There are some with features that make them expensive, some go pretty cheap. But they do have a sweet sound. Im sure Dave and others here know which models are more sought after and exactly why. But many have price tags that are significant...others a few hundred. Of course it also depends on condition pads..etc...

 

[Sigmund451]

I have had to shorten the shanks on some pieces for the reason you state Dave. Its a pretty easy process...just takes some time.