Buescher "400 Skyline" 296159

SUMMARY: The Buescher “400”  model B-7 was Buescher’s top-of-the-line alto saxophone from 1942 until 1955. It is well known for its behind-the-bell keys and “Top Hat and Cane” engraving. This very early example dates to 1941 and features a unique engraving of a city skyline.

COLLOQUIAL NAMES: 400, Super 400, Top Hat and Cane, TH&C

DATE: 1941

MANUFACTURER: The Buescher Band Instrument Company

PRODUCTION LOCATION: Elkhart, IN, United States

PRODUCT LINE: "400"

MODEL: B-7

TYPE: Alto

SERIAL NO.: 296159

FINISH: Lacquer, "Finish AG"

CATALOG NO.: BR296159EbAC

PROVENANCE:

On Loan From

History

The “400” commonly known as the “Top Hat and Cane” (due to the engraving on the bell) was the Buescher Band Instrument Company’s highest quality line of saxophones. Beginning development in the mid 1930s, the “400” saxophones were debuted to the public in early 1942. This line of saxophones included numerous mechanical improvements and modernizations over Buescher’s Aristocrat line of saxophones. Artists who used the Buescher “400” saxophones include Johnny Hodges, Herb Geller, Shep Fields, Dave Young, and Sigurd Rascher.

Dating back to early 1941, this example predates Buescher's public release of the line. It has a small bell and an engraving that was not used on the production model. This saxophone retains its factory original lacquer, pads, springs, Snap-On Resonators, and is in its original case.

Features

The Buescher “400” or “Top Hat and Cane” is perhaps most well known for its elaborate engraving of a castle on a cliff by the sea, surrounded by a floral design with the aforementioned top hat, cane, and gloves positioned above the raised Buescher 400 logo. Beyond the engraving, the “400’s” most striking visual features are its wide-arc bottom bow, its abrupt and wide bell flare, and its behind-the-bell mounted keys. The “400” line retained Buescher’s proprietary Snap-On Pads and Resonators and Norton Screw-In Springs.

As mentioned above, the bell flare on this unit is smaller than the production version of the instrument released to the public in 1942. A comparatively few number of these small bell instruments survive. While most examples of the model B-7 have the same engraving motif described above, this early unit has a unique engraving. It features a city skyline with skyscrapers set against a starry sky. A music staff with notes and shooting stars ascend from the bottom bow into the base of the skyline. Music notes and stars are scattered about the bell. The famous top hat, cane, and Gloves are still present above the raised "Buescher 400" emblem.

Buescher touted many mechanical improvements such as their “patented steel bearings” on the side keys and bell keys (US2234107A, US2203593A), nickel-silver hinge tubes, and taller key posts to improve tonehole venting. The instruments were available in all of Buescher’s standard finishes at the time.

Additional Resources

• The [De]Evolution of the Buescher “400” Alto Saxophone
• The Lost Stories of Three Unknown Artist Engravers
• Norton Spring Patent: US1572675A
• Snap-On Pad Patent: US1702692A
• Bell Key Bearing Patent: US2203593A
• Side Key Bearing Patent: US2234107A
• Loomis Octave Mechanism Patent: US1662196A