Repairman's Overview: 1959 Buescher "Super 400" alto saxophone

Saxophone repairman Matt Stohrer of www.StohrerMusi... is as giddy as a schoolgirl describing the ins and outs and roundabouts of a 1959 Buescher "Super 400"- a slightly cheapened but not very different version of the famous Buescher 400 "Top Hat and Cane"- and in so doing, pulls back the curtain on yet another relatively obscure bargain of a vintage professional saxophone. Are you starting to see a theme here?
For more info about the Buescher 400 series saxophones, go here: www.saxpics.com...
I also forgot one repair-related tidbit in this overview: on these saxes, to get decently open key heights on the low Eb and low C, you may find that you need to modify the integral key bumper holders on the keyguards so you can put a very thin bumper in to allow the key to open further without having the keycup hit the bumper holder.
If you like my content and would like to see more, you can support me on Patreon or by "buying me a coffee"!
Patreon: / mattstohrer
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[@gijomorti]

Thank you pretty much for your videos. I just watched this one because I was interested in getting to know more about the Buescher 400s. I just bought a ténor Buescher 400 (not a Super 400) since it was made in 1949. So thank again 'cause I got to get so much info from this video ! All the best to you in your work and life.

[@twntube]

No problem. Via an interest in Buescher brass instruments, lately I've been paying a lot of attention to what they were up to in the last half of the '50s. In brass they were doing the same kind of thing they did with this Super 400, economizing in various ways without sacrificing build quality. The serial numbers tell a story - check out sometime the number of instruments made in the '20s & '30s & compare to the '40s & '50s. Buescher was hurting.

[@twntube]

Btw, you mentioned that maybe the Super 400 & TH&C 400 were made concurrently for a while. I've heard that before; a 1954/55 Buescher mini-catalog I've got a scan of shows a TH&C alto designated model B-7, but refers to both it and the tenor as "Super 400" horns.

[@adamdaniel2849]

Hi Matt, how goes it? fantastic content I have to say! Can I ask a question regarding the Buescher 400 Alto, I am looking at one that is supposed to be a 1959/60 horn, but it has an overslung octave key on the crook. I am wondering if it is the inferior later model of Buescher you eluded to, could that be the case? What else should I look out for? I think it also has a slightly different pinky brace at the bottom to what this horn has in your video. Cheers for any info, all the best, Adam

[@BobDoherty]

Do your comments about the Super 400 alto also hold true for the Super 400 tenor?

[@twntube]

Excellent. I've got a '46 or so THC tenor, but I've never played an alto 400. Only Buescher sax I've never laid my hands on. I think you might be a little off on this being a '55 horn though. Probably closer to 1960. Looked like the serial was 358xxx. In '55 I'm pretty sure they were just hitting the 350xxx mark.

[@gilsontopfstedt3554]

have you being able to read the serial number? really?

[@SaxJockey]

@@gilsontopfstedt3554 S/N looks like 359245 at 2:37

[@SaxJockey]

On line S/N listings do suggest that this S/N is circa 1959/60.

[@robertsanders6518]

Good review. I recently purchased a Buescher Super 400 alto, serial 496402 overhauled by Saxquest with a Select Jazz D'Addario hard rubber D7 mpc. It projects' is easy blowingwith good intonation for straight ahead jazz. What can you tell me about this horn?

[@paulgentile1024]

thank you

[@johndisanto9211]

Matt, have you ever encountered strange intonation issues between octaves on these horns? I have a top hat and cane from 1947. The B above the staff is extremely sharp and can be bent all the way up to a C! Do you know anything that can remedy this issue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@360camacho]

Good job

[@Honeygooyumy69]

Hi Mike ...I own a 1965 Buescher Aristocrat alto sax and I know it is need of a service but I cannot afford to have it serviced around $1500 NZ. I definitely know it needs new pads and am wondering if it is something that I am able to do myself plus give it a general clean and polish. I am seeking you professional opinion on wether this is alright to do?! ..I know I have pretty handy hands ....cheers Manwell

[@fraserfilms7380]

Manwell Haumu send it to me $500 overhaul. George works in NZ

[@roxylebon]

dear i have a old buescher tenore low tone ..think '26 around.... can you help me to say details about it if i show you ? never you come italy ? thanks .

[@flytech78]

The lower Octave keys on my top hat and cane are a little different mechanisms then that FYI.

[@ftepedino68]

Hi Matt. I have what i believe is a 1955 Tenor Aristocrat, serial no is 355882 157. It's been a number of years since I did any playing but I want to get back to it and the horn needs an overhaul. I am near NYC so considering calling KB Sax which I understand does a great job on refurbs. Simply, do you think it is worth the money to have KB do an overall, or should I consider looking for another horn? Im just trying to understand the quality of this instrument. Regards, Frank

[@sethsims3670]

I’ve got a THC tenor that I’d like to have professionally overhauled...is that something you could do?

[@gilsontopfstedt3554]

tss tss...

[@bernard2620]

matt have you ever worked a selmer usa tenor could use some help

[@falaqdad15]

All the Bundy I designs are copies of the Aristocrat line except the baritone which is a copy of the 400 baritone.

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

i just brought a sax its a english one alto.

[@twntube]

No problem. Check your gmail.

[@saxcop]

what about the Aristocrat with the back of the bell keys. Looks just like this one but says Aristocrat. I think tenors say 157?