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Buescher Aristrocrat



 
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Jaw04
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Joined: 31 Dec 2015
Posts: 897
Location: California

PostPosted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:45 pm    Post subject: Buescher Aristrocrat Reply with quote

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?
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JohnHou
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Joined: 17 Jan 2022
Posts: 16

PostPosted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Jaw04
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Joined: 31 Dec 2015
Posts: 897
Location: California

PostPosted: Mon Jul 04, 2022 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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JohnHou
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Joined: 17 Jan 2022
Posts: 16

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Jaw04
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Joined: 31 Dec 2015
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Location: California

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 11:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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JohnHou
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Joined: 17 Jan 2022
Posts: 16

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow. You work fast. Haha

Excited to learn how it turns out!
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VetPsychWars
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Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 7196
Location: Greenfield WI

PostPosted: Tue Jul 12, 2022 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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GeorgeB
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Joined: 20 Apr 2016
Posts: 1063
Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2022 2:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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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
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Manuel de los Campos
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Joined: 29 Jul 2004
Posts: 649
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2022 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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Technology alone is a poor substitute for experience. (Richard Sachs)
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VetPsychWars
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 7196
Location: Greenfield WI

PostPosted: Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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