 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alison
Date: 2002-05-19 11:37
Hi,
I've looked at all the serial # lists and have yet to find a match -I have just bought a wood bass clarinet on ebay, inscribed "Buescher True Tone USA" on the upper tenon, serial #337. Trying to find date of manufacture, type of wood, any other info. I've looked through the archives in this forum and no luck yet. Do any of you have any info or suggestions for me?
Thank you.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-05-19 13:38
Hi Alison - I saw your EM on the bass-clarinetgroup site and considered replying with what little info I may have, but didn't, hoping that someone [like Dave S] might know more. So, here goes - About in 1935, I bought my first alto sax, a silver True Tone Buescher [Elkhart, IN] [serial # long gone!] for $135, from grocery store clerking! @ 25 C per hour! Learned how to play it, and did for the next 10 years. I BELIEVE that from about 1940, Bue. used the "400" name for their top saxes [quite good!]. I realize this doesn't help re: clarinets, I do recall having seen a Bue. alto cl, and wondered then who [a maker in France?] had made it as a "stencil" horn. I hope some other OLD reed player may be able to really help you. Luck, Don
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-05-19 17:48
I agree with Don. True Tone saxophones were made in the 20's and 30's before the Buesher 400 and the Aristocrat. By the early serial number it probably dates from the late 20's.
jbutler
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Author: Alison
Date: 2002-05-19 19:09
Thank you Don, for your help. I hope Dave S. might still "bite" and hold forth on this topic in the bass clarinet group site. As for me, I'm having fun learning my way around this horn, which I come to appreciate more each time I practice. I'm trying hard NOT to bite!
Alison
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-05-19 19:41
Alison,
Just looked at my Buescher # list and it shows that #5000 from 1905. Are there any more numbers that may be hard to detect? Sometimes they get worn off during assembly. Perhaps taking it outside in better light and holding it at different angles may produce a look at accompaning numbers.
jbutler
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-05-19 19:52
Very good point, J B, if the Ser # were 337xx, it would be 1915+, if 337xxx, 1950+, of course assuming that their variety of saxes, clars etc all were of the same numbering series??? Alison, it may interest you to look at www.cybersax.com/ , alto saxes, where 3 golden oldies are pictured and described! Don
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Author: Alison
Date: 2002-05-19 21:21
I've done as you've suggested - the serial # is very clearly 337 (somewhat worn but still clearly visible) with no suggestion of any numbers before or after. JB, I had seen that Buescher serial # list also. On one of the clarinet sites, someone noted that those referred only to the saxophones, not the clarinets. It would be great to know if the True Tone line for clarinets and saxophones coincided exactly. I'm considering calling the Selmer company (Since they bought out Buescher in the mid-60's) to see if there is anything they can offer. Thanks for your assistance.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-05-20 02:19
Alison,
I used the instrument serial list in the Allied Supply catalog and it does not discriminate saxophones from clarinets from baritones. I guess there could be some errors.
jbutler
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-05-20 14:36
Dave S here --- nothing to add to the above replies, I'm afraid. Although I once owned a Buescher "True Tone" baritone sax (made in the late 50's according to the serial number), I've never seen any of their bass clarinets nor read about them. So sorry!
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Author: Alison
Date: 2002-05-21 00:04
Thank you Dave,and others, for your thoughts. I guess I have a mystery horn! If I dig up anything, I'll post it.
Alison
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Author: Alison
Date: 2002-05-25 11:28
Hello,
In the past week I've had a lengthy reply from Grant Green
(www.contrabass.com) about my horn. He feels sure it is a "stencil" horn made for the Buescher company by Selmer, Noblet, Leblanc or Conn. He suggests that I may be able to figure out which company really made the horn by comparing the keywork to the other makes, particularly the octave mechanism. His info was based mainly on the "New Langwill Index", by William Waterhouse, which is a directory of musical instrument (wind and brass) makers and vendors through the ages, worldwide. I'll be contacting Selmer USA to see if they have any old records.
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