I play a Buescher Aristrocrat alto the serial number is in the 400,0000 range and i was tols my horn was in the 1960's . another teacher of mine told me to keep it, It is a gem!!! it plays beutifully for me and never gives me problems, it never acts up and always puts out good sound. They are a keepers. The newer horn and some of the so-called professional horns I heard by other band mates I had, that tried their old Buescher against the new ones , some of them decided to keep their old one instead of buying the new, despite all thir ads swearing about all the new mechanisms on them. Then again, it's also the player and not always the horn..Just don't buy anythingthing listed as a "Student Model" When Buescher was in buisness there was no differences in student models vs. pro models like we go these days.  I bought mine beat up for $ 200.00 from some kid and I had it refurbished, laquered and etched and every thing and now it's appraised at between $1000.00-to-1700.00.....hope this helps anwere your concerns.