WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY
2525 East Douglas Avenue
Wichita, KS 67211
Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858 Don't take my word for it:  do an internet search for Sigurd Rascher and you'll learn all sorts of things about classical saxophone performance.Born in Germany in 1907, died in America in 2001.  He's given credit (rightly) for having been the father of classical saxophone performance.  Just listen to his amazing tone-color and his four (yes, four) octave range.  Absolutely unbelievable!But Rascher never used a French saxophone.  It was his view that the G.A. Buescher Company, in Indiana, built the instrument that was the closest to the original saxophone that was invented by Adolphe Sax himself, in the mid 1800's.Buescher was, in the early 1960's, purchased by Selmer-USA and everything was eventually absorbed by Conn-Selmer, division of "Steinway Properties".  And that means Buescher's better model saxes slowly disappeared. Today, the name is stamped on Chinese imports.Their "Aristocrat" model was introduced in the late 1930's.  Same acoustics as the previous "True Tone", but with improved mechanical features.  "Snap-in" pads, "Norton springs" that screwed into the posts.  And sturdy "ribbon type" (not thin brass wire) key guards for the low notes.And we occasionally get on of these beauties.  The sax we're offering today dates from 1937, is stamped with serial number 292,944.  It's come to us with 90% original dark gold lacquer, worn areas to the finish around the end bow and just below the thumb-rest.Never any major dents or dings, key pearls still sharp, virtually no wear to the hinge-tubes.  Case appears to be from the late forties.Probably everybody knows it, but you can buy a similar instrument on EBay for a bit lower than our posted price on this beauty.  But our alto wears ALL new pads and corks. And yes, it comes with our 24 month service warranty:  run over it with a car and we'll make it perfect again....all you pay is for UPS freight to & from us.NOT for everybody, though.  But do take my word for it....Google Sigurd Rascher and also the Rascher quartet.  Sigurd always insisted on Bueschers, the "ultimate saxophone for classical music performance". Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 16 employees including seven of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell the occasional unrestored historical instruments each year. Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years:ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace, whichever in our estimation is the more advisable, pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees. Wichita Band’s service warranty does cover dents and dings to your sax. If your instrument sustains damage to the body, end bow, neck or bell, we’ll burnish out the dents and make it look “like new” again. The cost you is absolutely nothing except shipping and insurance charges. Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially free for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953! In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer. Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation. We collect NO SALES TAX, unless you’re lucky enough to live in Kansas. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight charges on returned equipment. International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 2 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument “on approval” for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to please reimburse us for clean-up and restocking charges (2.95%) on any returned instrument. Ebay authorized payment methods: PayPal or credit/debit card processed through our internet merchant account. Buyers outside of the USA are responsible for all import duties and customs clearance charges in their respective countries. We may refuse paypal and/or credit card payments from some countries. We’re happy to correspond with musicians, players, parents and enthusiasts of all types. Written appraisals are always available, but please don’t write or telephone and ask “what’s granny’s baritone sax worth?” Do an Ebay search and you’ll learn more than we could ever tell you.