Vintage 1925 Buescher 'Truetone' C-Melody Sax - Bare-Brass !! 

Rare in this finish, good player, with case and ready to play !

This is an excellent professional C Melody Saxophone, serial number 190665, manufactured around 1925 in the USA by Buescher.  The sax is being sold in good playing order,  with an original 20's C-Melody mouthpiece, cap,  ligature, sling, cork grease and a couple of reeds - plus of course an original Buescher C-Melody case, in used but functional condition.  It is very easy to play - I use tenor sax mouthpieces (more details below) rather than the original slightly more 'reserved' mouthpieces -  they can produce quite a contemporary blues/rock/jazz sound, very easy-blowing, and with the typical Buescher 'big sound', easily going from a whisper to a roar.  The much sought after 'Bare-Brass' finish has some red copper'ish patina in places, which, combined with the black rollers on the little-finger keys, and the top 'Front-F' pearl - only introduced by Buescher near the end of the C-Melody era -  makes this a really distinctive looking C-Melody.  

On the back it reads: 190665  (and) LOW PITCH - TrueTone - with the normal Buescher patent numbers and 'bell' engraving,   It has the traditional Buescher 'scalloped' fin both on the neck and bow of the sax, and  mother-of-pearl  on the main action keys, including the high Front-F - so useful for an altissimo high E & F, and harmonics above that, which are no problem on this sax with a suitable mouthpiece.   The instrument is (modern standard) Low Pitch, A=440, and the tuning has been checked satisfactorily against other modern instruments and an electronic tuner. 

I've recorded a very basic 'doodling' sound sample on the sax  ( direct into the PC mic - so not exactly 'studio quality' ) using my own tenor mouthpiece.  To hear this, please  Click Here.   It  may take a minute or so to download the full file over non-broadband connections.  Hear the lyrical top, plus the beefy tenor'ish bottom, alto and tenor in one horn !  

This sax is in good working and playing order (as you will hear)   White leather pads, some of which are slightly discoloured (due to the bare brass) are sealing well and still supple, and I believe that the original Buescher pad 'snaps' are still in place - a complete set of suitable pads can currently be obtained in the UK from Dawkes for around £35, and easily replaced as needed in the future.  I've replaced  one pad whilst I've had it.

Cork, felt and springs have been checked and replaced (or adjusted) as I've played this sax extensively.  I've looked hard, and can't find any dents or dints. As with all 80 year old well-played instruments, it has some rubbing and small finish blemishes - I haven't attempted to clean the brass at all as I love the 'aged' look, some players think that a bare-brass finish contributes to a 'fuller' sound,  but I've no doubt it would polish up amazingly well should you wish to do it.  It's certainly quite a unique looking sax.

Supplied with its original Buesher badged period case in functional condition - with lovely purple velvet/velour lining and a replacement leather handle - plus  an original C-Melody mouthpiece, lig and cap, a couple of vintage C-Melody reeds, tube of cork grease, and a rather elderly leather strap. All you need to play !  As mentioned above, if you already play alto or tenor, try your favourite mouthpieces/reeds on this sax, most will be usable, due to the C-Melody being positioned (in the sax family) between tenor and alto. More info available.

I just couldn't resist a couple of flash photo's, and one of the strap-ring, which shows an amazing lack of wear for an 80 year old sax !   All of these photo's are of reasonable resolution, so can be enlarged to get a better view.