Buescher Top Hat Alto Silver 299xxx

Description

This is a rare original silver-plated Buescher 400 Top Hat and Cane alto saxophone SN299xxx. It just got a fresh overhaul with white roo pads. It is in excellent physical condition with no dents or dings or past repairs. The silver is about 90-95% with a spot of wear on the bell and a little bit on some touch points. It looks gorgeous and is ready to go right out of the case.

It plays great. This overhaul was done by Steve Collins, who does careful work, and it shows. The pad work is nice, and the key work is tight like it should be. It’s a very responsive alto and also easy to play. Like you would expect with a 400, the sound is rich and medium between bright and dark, with plenty of power when you want it, but also with the ability to play beautifully and right in tune on lyrical passages. The key work is fast and comfortable – you just have to get used to the LH pinky table if you have been spoiled by a modern horn, which takes a couple of weeks but is well worth it for the sound. To top it off, you also get a new Protec XL alto case, which, besides being a nice case generally, is the only modern case that I know of that fits the big bell that these altos have.