Forum of the Saxes

thesmilingduck · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

As previously posted, I am in a process of making a decision on buying a new tenor sax.

Along that decision making process, I have come across the following curiousity:
1. Is it true that Buesher has also been manufacturing saxes for Selmer?
2. From the Selmer's website (selmer.com), does USA Saxophones mean Buesher or Conn-Selmer? If so, why it doesn't say so.
3. If both Buesher and Conn are Selmer's American Counterparts, does Buesher Aristocrat is equivilent to Selmer Aristocrat by Conn-Selmer?
4. My last question is why I can't find any information about Selmer Aristocrat TS600 by Conn-Selmer at all? No even see it from Selmer, Conn-Selmer websites?!?!?

Thank you.

JPSaxMan · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:29 pm Post subject:

Ok...let me give you some help.

Buescher was a private company in the late 30's early 40's that was eventually bought out by Selmer in the 60's. It wasn't long after this that the name Buescher simply disappeared and the name Selmer USA was put on the instruments.

Conn too was an independent company in the same time period as Buescher and Conn too was bought out by Selmer. This company was now known as Conn-Selmer and is the USA division of Selmer Inc. Conn-Selmer puts out lower intermediate level horns (such as the Prelude, the modern Aristocrat, etc) that are not up to caliber with the other Selmer USA horns (the 200, 300, 220 [LaVoix]).

Selmer USA is the producer of Selmer's student-intermediate horns.

None of the horns except the older Conn's and Buescher's are considered pro horns. After the Selmer buyout, all Selmer USA horns are crapola. At least compared to the pro horns. I play on a LaVoix tenor and love it, but would I have loved a Serie III more? You bet! SO...there's my two cents.

Have fun! Mr. Green

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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

dshack · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 5

Personally, I think pre-80's Conns and Bueschers are some of the best-valued horns out there, especially as doublers. I've got a Buescher aristocrat, purchased for $250, that speaks great and has a ton more character than any modern entry-level horn.

A Buescher-made Buescher is a good horn. Tenor-wise, I believe this would be an Aristocrat or a 400. I have a friend that plays the 400; it sounds great. You'll lose out on a few modern amenities, like a linked right-hand pinky cluster or a high F# key, but people have been playing without those for close to a hundred years.

Buescher 400's are guaranteed to be pretty nice horns. If a horn says aristocrat, research who made it.

Bariman · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject:

Good advice everyone, I totally agree. It can get really confusing, I'm glad you've put it all down on proverbial paper, JP.

Bariman
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Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

Fred · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Southeast Texas

There are brand new Bueschers being manufactured, but they bear no resemblance to the vintage Bueschers. The new ones are much lower quality - I'm not sure where they are made.
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Bariman · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 12:04 am Post subject:

Yes, they are for all intents and purposes stencil quality horns. Just like modern Conns, they are no real match for their vintage namesakes.

Bariman
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Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!