Differences between Alto saxophone Aristocrat Buescher 'Big B' bodies

  • Posted on: 17 June 2015
  • By: Mark

 

MRO saxophones recently started on the overhaul of an alto saxophone Buescher Aristocrat "Big B'. Because we also have an almost identical spare body of a the same type of horn I did some research on any differences. Here they are:

Sax A: Serial Number 303 311 (built February 1945)           => Body Only
Sax B: Serial Number 330 679 (built in November 1959)    => for overhaul

(Model years are indicative: I used the serial lists of Saxpics.com)

1)  Sax A has a different engraving and adding "US" above Big B on the bell. This saxophone is made for the US military in the final phase of World War II. See the detail pictures of the engraving below.

 

2) Sax B has a nickel-plated thumb rest. Sax A is the standard (bare brass) version.

3) Sax B has type designation '140' under the serial number. Sax A does not have this. See pictures.
   The keywork of a normal Aristocrat 140 will fit this Big B body. I might have one somewhere around....

 

4) The connection rings for the bell (solder joints) are shaped somewhat differently. See pictures.

That's interesting......smiley

 

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