2114 Cherokee St... | St. Louis, MO 63118 | 314-664-1234 | info@saxquest.com
Store Information
This is a mid-1950s era “post Big B” Buescher Aristocrat (model 141) alto sax, serial number 355606. This was the first big physical update to the Aristocrat in many years, moving the bell keys to the right side, sort of tucked to the back of the bell like the Buescher 400 horns. It is in dead mint condition, and was recently repadded in another shop with the original resonators.
This horn is either mint original lacquer, or it is best factory relacquered example I've ever seen (and I've seen thousands of horns at this point). I think it is original, because if it is relacquered, I've never seen a better job. The engraving is absolutely perfect, and the color is right for this era of Buescher as well. It just looks like this horn has never been seriously played. Another shop recently repadded it, and it has all new pads while keeping the original Buescher snap-in metal resonators. Many of the original gold plated Norton springs are still there too.
Despite the new pads, the sax is currently playing through some leaks and needs a quality adjustment. You can “squeeze it” to get it to play better but it definitely needs some attention. We are currently offering it as-is. With its new pad job, a good regulation should have it playing great for years to come. It has the same resonance and warmth that you'll find an Aristocrat Big B model, but at a much more wallet-friendly price.