Nice video and as always very informative. You have one assumption in here that isn't quite correct though. The Padless and most other Buescher attributed stencils aren't actually Buescher Aristocrats or True Tones, but rather products of the Elkhart Band Instrument Company (EBIC), are of a different design, and were assembled in another factory a few blocks away from Buescher in Elkhart. They are not just re-issued versions of earlier Buescher instruments. Different body tube, different placement and dimensions of tone holes, and even the padded version of this horn's key work (sold as an H&A Selmer Bundy) is not fully interchangeable with any of the Aristocrats or the earlier True Tones. Certainly a familial relationship, but not "essentially the same thing". Up until the late 40's, EBIC outsourced much of its manufacturing to Buescher, which partly owned them them until they bought out the company in the 40's. This makes them look like older Bueschers, but they also used parts from other instrument makers such as Conn and Martin as well to complete their instruments. Sometime in the 40's, Buescher bought out the rest of the EBIC company and moved production of Elkhart horns (and their stencils) in house in the late '40's. That's when you start seeing "Elkhart Built By Buescher" and then finally "Elkhart by Buescher" on the engraving. Starting about 1960, Buescher dropped the Elkhart brand and the 30A then became the Buescher Aristocrat (and eventually the Bundy 1), while the previous Aristocrat was renamed as the Buescher 400, with the previous 400 becoming the Super 400. This particular horn is directly related to the Elkhart 30A and not the Aristocrat (model 127 at the time), as were the H&A Selmer Bundy, Windsor, and at least a dozen other stencils that EBIC produced over the years for other sellers. It's also more closely related to a Bundy 1 (at least in design if not construction quality) than it is to a pre-1960 Aristocrat or True Tone of any vintage. There's a very long thread on EBIC saxophones at Sax On The Web. You can follow the evolving understanding of this manufacturer here: forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?191653-Elkhart-Band-Instrument-Company-Saxophone-registry/page7 It's easy to spot an EBIC tenor by the neck. The neck brace is distinctive. If it has that bent wire brace and Buescher-like key work, it's an EBIC designed horn.

I had my hands on one a collector had still new in its packaging with a box of extra gaskets. I was able to play it a few minutes and it was surprisingly free blowing and felt good in hand. And as you say here the engraving was beautiful

I remember reading about those as a teen. Never saw a picture of one until now! Still want to hear it played!

like that 8v key - thanks for taking the time to do this video Matt real cool

Wayne Shorter played one of these. I believe some of the recordings he did with The Jazz Messengers he used it on.

The "east broadway run down" horn! In the mid 70s there was one at Central Sales pawn shop in Cambridge, Mass. I'm still sorry I didn't buy it...

I was aware they were made. Never saw one and did not realize that Buescher made them for Selmer USA> Thanks Matt Jim

I have seen two Selmer Paris BA altos that are Padless like this.

Nice video - thanks! I've got a padless tenor. It would be cool to be able to buy a bunch of silicone rings to replace the "rings". It sounds like part saxophone, part percussion instrument right now. :D

Cool ! thanks for sharing.

Matt, I have an Selmer USA Padless Alto that needs tone rings. I've looked but haven't been able to find any tone ring replacements for these horns. Do you know where I can find them? Excellent videos, thank you.

Hey Matt. I've got two baritones; a King Zephyr and Selmer USA student (the pre-bundy ones with nickel keys, don't know the exact name) and they are both in prime condition- only both are missing the original necks. What should I do?

Pretty darn cool. So question- I thought selmer bought Buescher in the 60s? Or were they contracting with them before then too??

Matt, I have US Selmer Tenor that looks just like the example in the video. In the early 1990's, I talked to a nice lady at Selmer who had just started working there in 1941, she looked up the Serial number and told me mine was made March 10 1941. I have been researching gasket material and have a plan to make the tooling to cut them, I have been planning to contact you to see If I might want to send you mine to do some of the work. I love your Videos, Shea I actually repair Espresso machines for a living.

I have one of these and it is in excellent condition.. I also have the case and it is in amazing shape..... Is there any value?

"Sherlock Tones" lol

Custom O rings can be had in these times

I'd be interested in learning anything about how to repair this saxophone

I've got a Chinese made "Zephyr" tenor I bought that has a post by the octave key that has been pushed into the body and is at an angle.How do you straighten it out?

‘Bischer’?