Buescher Scandinavia

The Story of the Buescher Saxophone

Ferdinand August 'Gus' Buescher (1861-1937)

The name easily makes you think that Buescher himself was french (although the last name hints at German roots). However he was born in Elk Township, Noble County, Ohio 26 April 1861 and later re-located with his family to Elkhart, Indiana where he got a job at the C. G. Conn instrument factory in 1876. Buescher was clearly talented and in 1888 he rose to the position of foreman - the same year Conn produced the first american made saxophone

During a visit in Europe Buescher had obtaine an Adolphe Sax alto saxophone (serial number 36) and brought it back to America. It is believed that he used this particular instrument as model for his own first saxophone designs. Sax #36 is produced in 1859 - that is, less than twenty years after the first know prototype and only 12 years after Sax patented his invention.

Buescher suggested to use #36 as a model for furture Conn saxophones but apparently Conn was not interested and eventually Buescher left Conn to start his own business "Buescher Manufacturing Co" in 1894.

Several reconstructions followed and Buescher changed positions within the company. In 1926 Buescher Band Instrument Company was joined with the Elkhart Band Instrument Company and in 1963 H. & A. Selmer bought the group.

Ferdinand August Buescher died in 1937.

Saxophon.org has uncovered this wonderful video of the Buescher saxophone production from 1924.