Buescher pads

[2112sax]

Hello All
The forum and the Sax are new to me , so here goes. I recently bought a Buescher Aristocrat 200 alto sax, I think it's approx 20 yrs old, and it had a Bundy mouthpiece.
Day 1, after blowing my lungs flat, and going 9 shades of red, I finally got a note out of it.
Day 2, Put a Rico 1.5 reed in, and got more notes, and needed a lie down.
Day 3, gave the sax a goos look over and noticed that a few of the pads look a bit sus, in particular, the ones at the very top of the body that come around under the left hand.
Q, I've noticed that there are very few kind words for this particular sax, but I have found that the tone is quite appealing, so would it be worth the expense of having the pads replaced?
Q, would a reasonably priced moputhpiece improve matters?

What is it about the saxophone that is so addictive?

 

[kevgermany]

Big welcome from me.

May just need a few adjustments. Often duff looking pads seal well, and guys replace them even when it's not needed. However if the leather's torn/cut, the pad must be replaced. Before signing it's death warrant, take the sax to a good repairer and get a quote. You may be pleasantly surprised how little it needs to get it playing. But it might not be that way...

 

[jbtsax]

Welcome to the forum. No saxophone should be that difficult to get some notes out. I suggest you take it to a repair tech for an inspection. Just one or two major leaks at the top of the air column can make a sax impossible to play. To see if it is the mouthpiece, take the neck off the sax and play that "little saxophone". Putting the mouthpiece about halfway on to the cork, play the "tone producer" and try to match the Ab on a piano or tuner. A 1 1/2 reed is quite soft. As a beginner you should be able to easily get a tone on a #2. After a few weeks, see if you can handle a 2 1/2. The older Bundy mouthpiece is an acceptable mouthpiece to begin on if there is no damage to the tip or rails. A Yamaha 4C would be even better if you can find one.

 

[2112sax]

Thanks for the welcome, and the advice, looks like its' off to have a quote.

 

[2112sax]

Thanks for the welcome.
The Buescher did get a darn sight easier after I managed to get the embrochure side sorted! just have to get more consistent, but I still have my doubts about the state of the pads at the top. I will try a new mouthpiece as well.

 

[aldevis]

Thanks for the welcome.
The Buescher did get a darn sight easier after I managed to get the embrochure side sorted! just have to get more consistent, but I still have my doubts about the state of the pads at the top. I will try a new mouthpiece as well.

Do you have a honest repairer in your area?

I like your avatar. Melt Torme (and others) started his career in Chico's band.

Some Marxist saxophone:

 

[2112sax]

Glad you like the avatar, and thanks for the clip- just the thing for a midweek lull. Must have some full Marx later.
As to an honest repairer!! I am on the Deryshire/ Notts border and as of yet I have only had a brief look around on the tinterweb, so far nooo happy result.
I saw one advertising a sax service for £ 225.00! is this a regular sum or is there money to burn out there??

 

[aldevis]

Glad you like the avatar, and thanks for the clip- just the thing for a midweek lull. Must have some full Marx later.
As to an honest repairer!! I am on the Deryshire/ Notts border and as of yet I have only had a brief look around on the tinterweb, so far nooo happy result.
I saw one advertising a sax service for £ 225.00! is this a regular sum or is there money to burn out there??

I am sure you will find some good advice here in the forum.
£225 if good for an overhaul (replacing all pads and so on), but you probably just need some minor work.
Not sure it's worth investing that sum on a modern Buescher.

 

[h4yn0nnym0u5e]

Don't forget you can test the lower reaches of the sax by temporarily putting cling-film over those topmost pads (carefully!). Lots of good hints and other stuff here.

Cheers

Jonathan

 

[2112sax]

Spooky, I was considering doing just the same thing as regards the cling film.