TT with oblong G#

[click]

According to saxpics, series iii True Tones have the button G# from the earlier versions changed to the oblong G# key as part of a cluster of rollers. This was supposed to have happened with the lowest known serial number of 200,000. I have a TT tenor serial no. 197xxx and it has the oblong G# key cluster. Anyone know how far back series iii serial numbers go? Think I got a prototype or custom or experimental job instead? Maybe saxpics just intended to say that the earliest known was approximately 200,000. My True Tone is great, and it is kinda cool to imagine that it could be the first series iii horn, but I would rather find out what is up. Maybe there are other distinguishing features between series ii and series iii and mine is a series ii that has the G# key stuck on from the new pile of parts they had shipped in as they were getting set up for the series iii run. Any way to tell that? Anybody have an oblong G# in a cluster from earlier Buescher models, or with a lower serial number? I was polite and used the search function first, but I might have missed the answer. If so please direct me there.

[bruce bailey]

I think the 200,xxx number is just "approx." These III and IV horns are the more valuable of the TTs. Do you need an alto and soprano to match? Is yours the silver plated model? The tenors are harder to find than the altos.

[click]

Thanks, Bruce. Mine is a Bb tenor, satin silver, rose wash bell, and in tip top condition. She is a sweetie. I have a 1927 Chu Alto that makes me very happy for now. I am going to work on my soprano skills before I move up to a classic horn. The Bb Sop I have now is perfectly fine for my needs, namely to get some kind of feel for that size of horn, and get something that passes for a set of chops. An old pal of mine says he has a soprano in C in his family attic somewhere (put away no later than the '60's) and will dig it out for me next time he gets down that way. I will be very interested to see what that one turns out to be. I might have to break down and extend the collection for that. If it could be whatever I wished for, which one should I? Are any of the vintage C Sop jobs known as trouble horns? Any of them head and shoulders above the others?
xxoo, click

[bruce bailey]

There is a lot of discussion on C sopranos. I had several Conns and thought they were terrible whereas others like them. I currently have a Holton C that is keyed up to high F and it is a lot better in tune than the Conns. Post back with the make of the attic find. Also do NOT discard the original mouthpiece as they bring top dollar.
You may never need to move up from the Chu alto. Great horns. I play an old Conn as my main alto and have a Chu soprano which is outstanding.

[click]

Thanks, man. I am off to the soprano shack to see what the postings are there concerning the C sops. xxoo

[bruce bailey]

Mine may be for sale if you are interested.

[Hornlip]

I've got a TT tenor, about 192xxx if I remember correctly, but definitely in the 190 - 200xxx range, that doesn't have the crescent G# but does have a front "F" key. Probably they were slowly phasing in the changes as they went.

[bruce bailey]

I think there was a discussion about the front F being phased in before the series III.

[click]

Bruce:

The attic horn is a 1922 Conn C Sop, satin silver. No mpc; case hardware good, but lining coming out. Horn has fried pads; corks and felts gone or shot; corrosion on upper posts and springs; some keys frozen. All rods straight, no dents, very little scratching or finish wear - just tarnish. What is a fair offer for me to make on it so that I can keep my pal happy? I am having my tech vet it for cost to restore. I will not make any offer until I hear about the repair, but I thought maybe someone in the know could give me an idea of a price that would be right for such a deal. I will play it, not invest in it to make a profit. Seller wants it to be played, and so do I. I would not want to give him less than fair market value, he is a good guy. xxoo click