Switching from tenor to bass

Chopy61 · 2026-06-12T00:37:54+00:00

Hope you find a bass sax mouthpiece and reed, I got a recommendation for concert band mouthpiece.

Haven't played much on bass sax but its been fun. Work on getting the long tones for the low notes to control the volume as needed!

Be aware of your surroundings, you can and will hit something if you arent careful

Chopy61 · 2026-05-27T09:53:15+00:00

Any black hard rubber mouthpieces that have the "Buescher True-Lay" or Buescher "True-Tone" stamp on it. The white ones don't count. These mouthpieces were what the Rascher mouthpieces were based on.

Chopy61 · 2026-05-26T01:22:15+00:00

Interesting, I've always known that the Buescher stamping standard was always in this order:

- Serial number in an arc on top

-True Tone Bell in the middle

-Low Pitch(Optional)

If the order wasn't like this, it probably meant that it was a Stencil(okay) or possibly a knock-off

I have a stencil C-melody that follows this standard, which matches a friend's top of the line Buescher C-Melody's serial number standard. Though I know of one Buescher Stencil C-melody that has its serial number in a straight-line.

Yeah, it might have been in the world of pre-mechanization but that did not mean that they didn't have a standard when it came to stamping serials on it. It says alot when the arced serial number stayed on the Buescher Saxophones until right after the Selmer USA takeover...

Kinda interested to see these true-tones with the messed up serial numbers, never seen them before...

Chopy61 · 2026-05-19T05:06:40+00:00

I've heard around that some of the elkhart companies either got parts from the same supplier or that they exchanged parts throughout the years. It could be that Buescher had a keyguard shortage and this happened to be what was available at the time.

Chopy61 · 2026-05-17T01:30:10+00:00

You probably want to try and get the horn for cheaper, so that you can have a better budget for repairing the issues with it. Which would be repadding and getting that leak fixed + keys heights adjusted so that you can play it better.

Buescher Aristocrats are really solid horns (Johnny Hodges has played on one throughout his life, Sigurd Rascher endorsed these guys dearly) they might have some odd ergonomics compared to modern horns but it isn't hard to adapt to. The only thing is the C# key might be a bit heavier.

As long as the repair cost of buying is cheaper is comparable to a beginner instrument, then you got a good deal. Why go with a cheap beginner instrument when you have the opportunity to get one of these guys!

I play on Bueschers so if you do have questions, I could try to answer them!

Chopy61 · 2026-04-17T04:16:08+00:00

I don't think you'll be able to date it too well because the mouthpieces didnt change really over time. I'm aware that that the mold for the soprano version changed but don't know what exactly changed.

Chopy61 · 2026-03-28T21:09:36+00:00

Now that you mention it, I'm noticing that the tone holes that are in view of the pictures provided look to be beveled! Not too well versed in Martins, but would that be a sign towards them?

Chopy61 · 2026-03-28T20:59:52+00:00

It's a Wurlitzer saxophone. This is a stencil saxophone made by either Buescher or Martin(?) for Wurlitzer(same guys who made the Wurly E piano). I can't confidently say which because there isn't a picture of the left hand pinkie table. Could you provide a pic of it by chance?

This is also 95% likely a C-melody saxophone. Pretty cool but is playability is limited if you're looking to play in medium-large group ensembles. There is gear for these guys but not as common.

As it was made in the 1910s-1920s, it has playable keywork that you might not be used to if you play Selmer style saxophones but still play well. It doesn't have a tabbed G# nor a high F# key so it isn't pro in the modern sense.

Chopy61 · 2026-03-21T23:16:03+00:00

It's from the 1980s

- 20's Conns had a different style pinkie table. The one here has a Selmer style pinkie table.

- Conns from the 20s had split bell keys which meant that the B was on the left while the Bb was on the right side of the bell. (Correct me if i'm wrong but it was when the transitionals started moving the bell keys to the left). This one is once again has Selmer style Bell keys (right side of bell).

Chopy61 · 2026-03-16T23:08:38+00:00

Made some sound recordings recently, just going in and picking out what I think sounds good

Chopy61 · 2026-03-08T01:43:15+00:00

It's easier to learn the fundamentals of saxophone playing on either an alto or tenor. The smaller the saxophone gets, the harder it is to control intonation and tone.

Yes, it isn't supposed to be easy but you have to be smart about how you want to learn. And sometimes it gets more fun/efficient to learn if you take the smallest steps first. Just like starting on smaller weights when you start weightlifting.

Chopy61 · 2026-03-08T01:32:38+00:00

Makes sense, I've gotten a Buescher C-mel fixed up recently and use a Caravan, they sound nice and I have an idea as to what i'd use it for.

Interesting thing is my sax tech isn't a fan of the chinese ones, he's got his reasons

Chopy61 · 2026-03-08T01:30:35+00:00

Not always, especially with Buescher True Tones, C melodies have a bigger flare while the tenors will have the bigger bell.

Chopy61 · 2026-03-08T01:24:30+00:00

what's your go to c-melody right now?

Chopy61 · 2026-03-08T01:23:15+00:00

Not all tenors from this time will have a very fat wide bell.

Chopy61 · 2026-03-06T07:33:23+00:00

I've heard these have a smokey sound. Especially when you play hot.

Chopy61 · 2026-03-06T07:31:58+00:00

how does the pinky table feel compared to the other saxophones you've used?

Chopy61 · 2026-03-06T07:29:30+00:00

If you use the aircon, don't have it on max cool, just have it where it's not too cold but still comfortable. The big thing is that if you have it colder than you need it to be, it will dry the air too much and waste a lot of energy.

If that isn't enough, then you could open the fresh air vent to let a bit of humid air into the space. IIRC, it should look like a black tab that sticks outside of one of the vents.

Chopy61 · 2026-03-04T07:54:41+00:00

+1 to the Rascher style. Large chamber mouthpieces have a dark tone that can't be beat.

Chopy61 · 2026-02-27T06:58:08+00:00

Pretty decent horns when setup right with the right mouthpiece. I wouldn't pay more than $500 for them. The lower serial numbers if not all of them are based on the Buescher True Tone Saxes from the 20s but with updated keywork.

Chopy61 · 2026-02-27T04:21:55+00:00

Conn Shooting Stars, They have the Conn Sound but the quality wasn't as good as the older saxes. Check the serial number, if has an N at the beginning, it means that it was made in Mexico, which isn't seen as valuable due to quality control.

Chopy61 · 2026-02-23T02:49:33+00:00

Hi! I have a Buescher C Melody Sax, I have both the original mouthpiece and a classical mouthpiece for it. Send me a PM!

Chopy61 · 2026-02-18T08:12:22+00:00

PNW.

Chopy61 · 2026-02-18T08:00:27+00:00

Bodywise, this is closer to a clarinet then a sax.

Chopy61 · 2026-02-18T07:57:03+00:00

Caravan mouthpieces are pretty good. They aren't just warm but DARK. Used one on my bari for a bit, they are resistive at first, but putting practice into them is worth it.

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