The Buescher Story
with thanks to Pat Hiatt
with thanks to Pat Hiatt
 |  |  |
The first Buescher horns (pronounced "Bisher" were manufactured in 1888. Serial numbers up to
approximately 4000 were produced prior to the fire at the Elkhart, IN Buescher plant in 1905,
when all records are believed to have been destroyed. The "TrueTone" model was one of the
most popular saxophones of the 1920's and one of the few saxes of it's day with very good
intonation. The TrueTone was updated in 1926 with the addition of a front F key. These saxes
are mostly seen in satin silver plate but there are quite a few in gold plate. 1930 marked the
introduction of the "New Aristocrat" which was also mostly done in silver. It was replaced by the
"Aristocrat" and then the Aristocrat commonly known as the "Big B" Aristocrat in 1940. The
"Buescher 400" was their most advanced professional entry into the saxophone market and was
the highlight of their resumption of production after WWII. They also continued to make "The
Aristocrat" at the same time. What distinguished the Buescher 400 from the Aristocrat was a
larger bell, silver plated key mechanism with a lacquered brass body, highly ornate raised
engraving, and options of silver or gold plating for the body and key mechanism the patented
"Norton" threaded gold-plated springs, and, the underslung octave key on the neckpiece. This
model had slightly larger inner bore dimensions than other models of the period which gave them
a bigger sound more conducive to Jazz. The "Aristocrat", on the other hand, was a decidedly
"sweeter" sounding instrument, yet still very powerful. After 1960 the Aristocrat became a student
model. The earlier "Top Hat and Cane" versions of the "400" are preferable to the latter, less
ornate, entries. Most believe that the Buescher models make by the Selmer Co. (after they
purchased Buescher in 1963) were not up the quality of the earlier versions. After Buescher was
purchased by Selmer, the "400" eventually became the "Signet" and the "Aristocrat" became the
"Bundy"; same looks but drastically different bore dimensions. The original Bueschers were each
"handmade" instruments, and incorporated Adolphe Sax's unique design of a parabolically curved
bore design. Buescher saxes of the late 20's, thru early 50's are among the best saxophones ever
made in America.
The above history was provided by Mick Boudreau.
approximately 4000 were produced prior to the fire at the Elkhart, IN Buescher plant in 1905,
when all records are believed to have been destroyed. The "TrueTone" model was one of the
most popular saxophones of the 1920's and one of the few saxes of it's day with very good
intonation. The TrueTone was updated in 1926 with the addition of a front F key. These saxes
are mostly seen in satin silver plate but there are quite a few in gold plate. 1930 marked the
introduction of the "New Aristocrat" which was also mostly done in silver. It was replaced by the
"Aristocrat" and then the Aristocrat commonly known as the "Big B" Aristocrat in 1940. The
"Buescher 400" was their most advanced professional entry into the saxophone market and was
the highlight of their resumption of production after WWII. They also continued to make "The
Aristocrat" at the same time. What distinguished the Buescher 400 from the Aristocrat was a
larger bell, silver plated key mechanism with a lacquered brass body, highly ornate raised
engraving, and options of silver or gold plating for the body and key mechanism the patented
"Norton" threaded gold-plated springs, and, the underslung octave key on the neckpiece. This
model had slightly larger inner bore dimensions than other models of the period which gave them
a bigger sound more conducive to Jazz. The "Aristocrat", on the other hand, was a decidedly
"sweeter" sounding instrument, yet still very powerful. After 1960 the Aristocrat became a student
model. The earlier "Top Hat and Cane" versions of the "400" are preferable to the latter, less
ornate, entries. Most believe that the Buescher models make by the Selmer Co. (after they
purchased Buescher in 1963) were not up the quality of the earlier versions. After Buescher was
purchased by Selmer, the "400" eventually became the "Signet" and the "Aristocrat" became the
"Bundy"; same looks but drastically different bore dimensions. The original Bueschers were each
"handmade" instruments, and incorporated Adolphe Sax's unique design of a parabolically curved
bore design. Buescher saxes of the late 20's, thru early 50's are among the best saxophones ever
made in America.
The above history was provided by Mick Boudreau.
