Saxophones Buescher Aristocrat "Big B"

[Nervous_Fingers]

Different here in the States. Only a vintage horn dealer is going to tell you a Big B alto is worth fifteen hundred. Maybe in mint condition for a collector, but not an old, probably relacquered alto needing an overhaul. That the horn had been available for a bit and then dropped in price should tell you more about its present value than potential theft in the past.

It's a great deal on a good horn, no doubt. But heck, I found a Big B tenor sold locally not too far in the distant past for five hundred bucks. It's not like a lottery win.

Agreed. I picked up a tenor at a garage sale from a person who no longer plays for a steal. Needs work but it'll be worth the cost to get it playing. In fact, it's at @JayeNM 's shop now.

 

[tburn9876]

So, I've got a tracking number now, and arrival date of next Tuesday, if anyone is still interested in seeing how it turns out I'll upload some pictures and if its playable, I'll upload a video of me playing it and see how far $200 goes when the stars align.

 

[Jeanette]

Definitely update us!

Jx

 

[tburn9876]

So I got it a day early, I'm about to have to head to work though. It looks really good, and every note plays down to the bell as far as I can tell. I think I need a more open mouthpiece I keep overblowing this graftonite m5 I bought just so I'd have an alto piece. I'll take pictures and a video tomorrow. (edit) The bis key and/or other B flat fingering isn't sounding. Very odd. I haven't double checked which pitch I'm getting but I think its B flat and I'm not getting B

 

[JSL]

Oh man, you got that horn (and yes, it's a 'real' Big B Buescher) for $190. That's an absolute steal. Doesn't matter in the least if it's been relacquered. I think you are way too focused on whether or not it's a relac. The important thing is playing condition. And at the price you got it for, it will still be a great deal no matter what repair work it might need. I'd take that horn straight to my tech and tell him to put it in tip-top playing condition. Your tech can easily sort out that Bb issue and whatever else the horn needs.

 

[LostCircuits]

The Bb issue is either a regulation problem or else a dirty or leaking body octave pip/pad. Very common with these old horns because everybody takes it for granted that the key closes but even a tiny leak or crud build up will cause some of the upper notes not to voice - and when you play lower, all of a sudden the horn comes back.

I mean it could be anything but it's something to take a look at, and even a small dip of leather cleaner and a pull through with one of these glasses cleaning cloth pieces may solve the problem. If not then you look somewhere else.

 

[tburn9876]

So I tried to get some pics of the pads and the springs, one of the key guards appears to have been re soldered. The octave key pads do not appear to have resonators , I seen on a repair video that a lot of times those are removed because they're so small they actually become more difficult. Thats about it...

 

[tburn9876]

 

[tburn9876]

 

[tburn9876]

 

[tburn9876]

 

[tburn9876]

 

[JSL]

So I tried to get some pics of the pads and the springs, one of the key guards appears to have been re soldered. The octave key pads do not appear to have resonators , I seen on a repair video that a lot of times those are removed because they're so small they actually become more difficult. Thats about it...

Best bet would be to take that horn to your tech and have him/her sort it out. It likely doesn't need much but have them do whatever it takes to get it playing perfectly. You got a practically free, 'professional' top quality horn, so might as well spend what it takes to get it functioning like new. The fact is nearly everything that wears out or gets damaged on a sax is replaceable. That horn can be put into like-new playing condition.

 

[LostCircuits]

Everything looks like it's in "above decent" shape. You definitely don't want resos in the octave keys, they are a constant source of trouble and serve no function at all other than eye candy. The resoldering of the ribbon cage looks like it was done ok, whoever did it could have cleaned it a little better but I prefer structurally sound over pretty.

There is a little bit of crud inside the body tube that will clean up nicely with a "pad saver" or "cat tail", especially if you stick it on a power drill and just use it to buff the inside for a minute or two. Absolutely not necessary, though, and if you do it, don't use any abrasive unless you remove all the keywork, otherwise you'll ruin the pads.

I'd still use a bit of leather conditioner/cleaner on the pads, just to keep the leather soft, old pads are often getting porous and the conditioner helps quite a bit with that. And you can apply it with a q-tip and let it soak for 30 min before you polish with a waxed cloth.

Overall, I think you could not have done much better than with this horn, these 'Crats are on par with the 6m and MK VI.

 

[Grumps]

Nice! Looks to have its snaps and Nortons as well. I'd also lean original lacquer given the additional photos. Whoever worked on that horn seemed to respect what distinguished them.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Nice. 👍

 

[tburn9876]

And you can apply it with a q-tip and let it soak for 30 min before you polish with a waxed cloth.

Polish the body, or the pads? And what kind of wax?

 

[skeller047]

Octave key pads don’t have resonators. I don’t even think they were snapped in on these horns, just shellac or “pad glue”.

That’s a beautiful instrument. If you have the ability, take it apart and use some cleaner on the body - Pledge furniture polish or perhaps a very mild automotive cleaner polish, on a clean cloth. A lot of that dull spotting on the body will clean right up, and the spots where lacquer is missing will be less noticeable.

While I agree with cleaning and perhaps conditioning the pads, I also concur that you should take it to a good tech as soon as possible. One that has experience on vintage horns. That’s a forever horn you got there. Congratulations, and I’m a bit jealous!

 

[LostCircuits]

Polish the body, or the pads? And what kind of wax?

The pads after you applied the leather conditioner. Just one of these yellow dust clothes they sell at HomeDepot or other hardware stores. They are lightly waxed to absorb more dust etc.

 

[LostCircuits]

Octave key pads don’t have resonators. I don’t even think they were snapped in on these horns, just shellac or “pad glue”.

That’s a beautiful instrument. If you have the ability, take it apart and use some cleaner on the body - Pledge furniture polish or perhaps a very mild automotive cleaner polish, on a clean cloth. A lot of that dull spotting on the body will clean right up, and the spots where lacquer is missing will be less noticeable.

While I agree with cleaning and perhaps conditioning the pads, I also concur that you should take it to a good tech as soon as possible. One that has experience on vintage horns. That’s a forever horn you got there. Congratulations, and I’m a bit jealous!

The original octave pads had tiny receptacles for the spuds in the cups. But I've never seen any resonators.