Buescher big "B" in need of a repad.

[dolf250]

Hello-

I am fairly new to this forum and have a question about an old Buescher big B tenor. I finally bought one and was going to have it shipped and repaded in the town where I live. I have talked to the three music stores that repair saxes and all three have told me that they do not usually keep the “snap ins.” One claimed that everything would have to be custom done and that it is too expensive and another told me that they usually remove them because you cannot get a good seal with the snap in and that they “float.” I am quite sure that a competent sax repair man would not suggest removing them, so I am at a loss as to what to do. For the prices these stores are charging it is just as cheap to send it to somebody like Sarge who seems to have a good reputation and where I know that it would be done properly. If I send it to the USA for a repad will I be charged duty on the full value of the sax twice (importing it to the US and then importing it back to Canada?)

Also, I am unsure that all of the snap in’s are present. If they are not, is it possible to buy them aftermarket or will I have to swap them out anyhow?

Thanks in advance for any advice

-Danny

[Hornlip]

Whatever you do, don't let any ham-fisted know-nothing tech molest your horn like that. If they don't know that pads are available, or how to work them up themselves, they don't know enough about Buescher horns period.

[Bill Mecca]

Do you have the horn in your possesion yet? if not, call sarge, maybe you can have it shipped directly there, adn then when he's done ship it to you. (only across the border once that way)

just my buck 380

[mr. peabody]

you can buy the right pads and springs from Ferree, but the snaps are hard to find.

[stitch]

Hello-

Also, I am unsure that all of the snap in’s are present. If they are not, is it possible to buy them aftermarket or will I have to swap them out anyhow?
-Danny

Well, you won't know if all the snaps are present until you can see it. If they've been replaced with standard pads, then the spuds that the snaps snap on to will most likely have been ground out, and retrofitting isn't really an economic option. I think there were pictures posted in an old thread showing how snap-ins work - a search of this forum should turn it up.

Apart from that, I concur with what others have written - don't let incompetent techs at it, but if it no longer has snaps, then don't sweat it. It's nice to have the horn original, and it'll improve its resale value, but it won't (necessarily) make it play any better.

[Randall]

Ditto on sending your horn to Sarge at World Wide Sax. He will do your Buescher any way you see fit.

I had my TH&C snap ins removed in favor of using black goat skin pads with Reso Tech resonators.
The sound is just tremendous with this set up. I wouldn't have my treasured 400 any other way.
I am of the opinion that leaving them in or taking them out may be a decision about value later on if you decide to sell.
Personally, the snaps being present or not is not a factor in my purchasing of a horn unless i was purchasing a horn for resale to a collector who may care.

Conversely, I have read opinions that the snap ins are a good idea on the tenor, but not so much a good idea on the alto....just reporting some of what I have read~I don't necessarily adhere to those opinions.
.

[Dave dix]

Just re-padded a buescher aristocrat tenor with pads from music medic (Curt), fine service.
Dave

[dolf250]

I would like to thank all of you for your input and advice. I was really surprised at how many people chimed in while I was at work.
I was really worried about sending a nice vintage sax to a repairman in town. As I mentioned at the prices that they are charging I could easily send it to a man with a good or excellent reputation rather than a shop that will fix your trumpet, French horn, drums or saxophone. I think that I would rather send it to a man who specializes not only in woodwinds, but saxophones specifically. I have decided that this is the tenor that I will keep to produce the sound that I want and will contact Sarge tomorrow to find out if he has time to fit a repad in. I will most likely go with his advice on pads, resonators and the likes as I am positive that he knows how best to get what I want out of it.

Now if I can decide what I want from an alto I’ll be set!

Thanks again,
-Danny

[Neil Sharpe]

May I also suggest Gayle at www.vintagesax.com who is an acknowledged expert when it comes to Bueschers.

[awholley]

I'd also highly recommend Mark Aronson in Iowa.

If your sax has all or most of the snaps, then by all means preserve them.

I play only Bueschers. Some of them have the snaps and others do not. I say that first because the rest of this may be considered blasphemy. If most of them are gone, you might as well have them all removed, as it will give you a great deal more options with pads and resonators.

Another sax tech I have the highest respect for wanted to remove the complete set of snaps from my tenor, and i didn't let him, but I don't necessarily fault him for his pragmatic approach to allowing me to choose different pads or resonators. (Yes I do know that you can use non-buescher-style pads with the snaps.)

IMHO, do what makes practical sense for you. I can't tell much difference in tone with similarly-sized resonators.

Alan

[hornimprovement]

I have overhauled Bueschers using original-style snap-in pads, roo pads with snaps, conventional pads with snaps removed and custom resonators installed, etc... depending on the customer's wants and needs. I have an excellent stock of extra snaps and Norton springs. I would be glad to restore your Buescher and am currently scheduling overhauls for August. Regardless of where you end up sending your instrument, be sure to indicate on the duty form that it is an item being serviced, not sold, so that you are not charged any duties. I've been up that road before.