View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Jaw04 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2015 Posts: 899 Location: California
|
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:45 pm Post subject: Buescher Aristrocrat |
|
|
So I picked up a Buescher Aristocrat from a pawn shop on a whim for $200. Serial number 45XXXX, placing it in the mid-60s.
It's a pleasure to play. It has a lovely mellow sound. The playability and efficiency compared to my modern expensive horns is obviously not comparable, but I think I'll hold onto it and take it on road trips.
Does anybody here have one of these? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
JohnHou Regular Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2022 Posts: 16
|
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I’ve got one! I really enjoy it.
It has a nice broad and mellow sound. My other horn is a Mt Vernon Bach 43 and I feel like the Aristocrat has a related, but different sound that I really respond to.
I’ve had the valves aligned and I 3D printed some much tighter tolerance valve guides. After that, I’ve found it to be pretty easy and efficient to play (at least with my limited ability).
Mine was a super lucky $80 goodwill buy. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jaw04 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2015 Posts: 899 Location: California
|
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2022 1:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
JohnHou wrote: | I’ve got one! I really enjoy it.
It has a nice broad and mellow sound. My other horn is a Mt Vernon Bach 43 and I feel like the Aristocrat has a related, but different sound that I really respond to.
I’ve had the valves aligned and I 3D printed some much tighter tolerance valve guides. After that, I’ve found it to be pretty easy and efficient to play (at least with my limited ability).
Mine was a super lucky $80 goodwill buy. | Thanks for sharing! That's interesting. I love the valves on mine and I don't think I'm going to try to improve them. I think being a little misaligned might give the horn some of its character. I am going to get it chem cleaned and maybe have the lacquer taken off. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
JohnHou Regular Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2022 Posts: 16
|
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
I personally, didn't notice much of a difference tone or character wise after aligning the valves. It just became way more playable and efficient, especially at low volume. My guides— which didn't seem to have much wear— allowed a large amount of rotation and made it easy to press the valves slightly off center allowing them to stick.
Post a pic if you remove the lacquer. I've considered doing the same as mine is pretty ratty.
I'm also thinking about switching the original water keys to amados. The originals work fine, but they look and feel so cheap with their stamped metal fabrication. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jaw04 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2015 Posts: 899 Location: California
|
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 11:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
I removed the lacquer myself last night, first time trying it. Doesn’t look nice yet because I missed some spots. Still work to be done. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
JohnHou Regular Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2022 Posts: 16
|
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wow. You work fast. Haha
Excited to learn how it turns out! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
VetPsychWars Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
|
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2022 3:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If your horn still has the original purple valve springs do not let anyone change them ever.
They are stainless steel constant-rate springs and they last forever. _________________ 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GeorgeB Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 1063 Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
|
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2022 2:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
VetPsychWars wrote: | If your horn still has the original purple valve springs do not let anyone change them ever.
They are stainless steel constant-rate springs and they last forever. |
I had heard that and at first was disappointed when the 1942 400 I bought didn't have purple springs. But whatever the replacement springs are they are damn good. The 400 I own has the fastest valves in my collection.
George _________________ GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Manuel de los Campos Heavyweight Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 654 Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
|
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2022 8:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
A nice horn, got one a month ago. Nothing special though (apart from the valves, very good!) so I sold her for a good price; he happy me happy _________________ Technology alone is a poor substitute for experience. (Richard Sachs) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
VetPsychWars Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
|
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
GeorgeB wrote: | VetPsychWars wrote: | If your horn still has the original purple valve springs do not let anyone change them ever.
They are stainless steel constant-rate springs and they last forever. |
I had heard that and at first was disappointed when the 1942 400 I bought didn't have purple springs. But whatever the replacement springs are they are damn good. The 400 I own has the fastest valves in my collection.
George |
Those didn't come out until the late 50s/early 60s. In fact, however, you can adapt those purple springs to Micromaster valves!
Find someone to sell you the O-rings used as 3rd-valve slide cushions. Charlie Melk is a good source especially if you tell him why. Put one on each end in the grooves where the springs seat... just the right increase in diameter to fit the purple springs.
You can sometimes find them on eBay.
Tom _________________ 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|