Saksha is 'right'...from a purely 'sax' perspective. But, as I observe it, you @Nathanates...are looking for a horn in the budget range of $200-ish ?
So the era of Aristocrat Saksha suggests is going to be way out of your price range.
1) Are you in the US ?
2) Why did you choose to focus on Buescher ?
A few more observations....
An alto in good playing condition for $200....is not a realistic budget. You will note if you read the eBay descriptions carefully...NONE of those saxes is guaranteed to be in good playing shape. Matter of fact, 2 auctions clearly note the horns need work.
So....
a) IF your budget is $200 or less....you need to up it at least to $275-300 to get something which you are not gonna have to invest MORE $ into fixing.
b) IF you can budget $275-325, feel free to contact me via the website in my signature (below)...because I have a few (not to be a shark here, I am not answering this thread for my own benefit, but I do have a decent rep in the budget horn dept). There are 4 or 5 common models (used) which are good quality and reputed and can be had in playing condition for that sorta dollar.
c) alternately, you can look locally (Craigslist), althoigh depending on where you live, 'locally' may mean "within 100 miles"...because some communities have very active Craigslist musical instrument postings, others do not. (Unfortunately due to your newbie Forum status, the Marketplace is not yet available to you here).
d) IF you insist on eBay (which is a dicey proposition for almost anybody, even a seasoned player)...make SURE you get the seller to state unequivocally that the horn is in GOOD playing shape and will need no servicing. Because if they will NOT, then you KNOW you are gonna have to put some significant $ into it upon receipt.
But if you can start by answering the 2 Q's above, that'd be helpful to respondents here.
NOW...IF I have misinterpreted your situation, and you have, say...$800+ to spend and you are looking for an Aristocrat because that IS what you wanna buy....then that's another story, and Saksha's advice applies again. You wanna look for the ones within a certain serial # range, before Selmer bought out Buescher, certainly. Even a bit before that date, actually...
So the era of Aristocrat Saksha suggests is going to be way out of your price range.
1) Are you in the US ?
2) Why did you choose to focus on Buescher ?
A few more observations....
An alto in good playing condition for $200....is not a realistic budget. You will note if you read the eBay descriptions carefully...NONE of those saxes is guaranteed to be in good playing shape. Matter of fact, 2 auctions clearly note the horns need work.
So you buy a $185 horn (shipped), then take it to a repair tech to get it 'adjusted'...and the tech comes back with a price bewteen, ohhhh...$125 (if you are super, duper, duper lucky)...to $700 (quite possible, some would argue probable). Not much of a 'deal'.
So....
a) IF your budget is $200 or less....you need to up it at least to $275-300 to get something which you are not gonna have to invest MORE $ into fixing.
b) IF you can budget $275-325, feel free to contact me via the website in my signature (below)...because I have a few (not to be a shark here, I am not answering this thread for my own benefit, but I do have a decent rep in the budget horn dept). There are 4 or 5 common models (used) which are good quality and reputed and can be had in playing condition for that sorta dollar.
c) alternately, you can look locally (Craigslist), althoigh depending on where you live, 'locally' may mean "within 100 miles"...because some communities have very active Craigslist musical instrument postings, others do not. (Unfortunately due to your newbie Forum status, the Marketplace is not yet available to you here).
d) IF you insist on eBay (which is a dicey proposition for almost anybody, even a seasoned player)...make SURE you get the seller to state unequivocally that the horn is in GOOD playing shape and will need no servicing. Because if they will NOT, then you KNOW you are gonna have to put some significant $ into it upon receipt.
But if you can start by answering the 2 Q's above, that'd be helpful to respondents here.
NOW...IF I have misinterpreted your situation, and you have, say...$800+ to spend and you are looking for an Aristocrat because that IS what you wanna buy....then that's another story, and Saksha's advice applies again. You wanna look for the ones within a certain serial # range, before Selmer bought out Buescher, certainly. Even a bit before that date, actually...
