(Check out my "Throughout the Years" feature for more pics.)

The 400 horn has a long and varied history (see the excellent chart below from Gregg Jackson). There are essentially two horns of significant note:
- The Top Hat and Cane models (model B7/B11 or S7/S11)
- Super 400 models (which are Selmer-made horns produced on the original Top Hat & Cane tooling, but with somewhat cheaper materials and less elaborate engraving)

The first generation of 400's produced by Selmer and the last generation produced before the Selmer buyout are supposed to be extremely good horns, too. Horns produced after this (excepting the Super 400) are essentially intermediate models and eventually the horn was evolved into the Selmer Signet model, the Selmer Bundy and the Selmer USA horns.

The Top Hat and Cane Horns are Buescher's jazzier alternative to the Aristocrat "Big B" horns that were produced at the same time. Most jazz players rather like the oversized bell (i.e. additional projection) and the excellent intonation of the 400, compared to the more "classical" sound of the Big B.

IMHO, Buescher essentially killed themselves by producing two horns that competed against each other. Not a good idea.

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Techie Notes:
- There may be no "true" 400 sopranos or basses. According to Gayle, from vintagesax.com, when Buescher discontinued their True Tone line, they did not retool for sopranos or basses. She postulates that these horns were available -- and may even have the Top Hat and Cane engraving -- only as "special order" models, but they're True Tone horns with minor changes. I can somewhat confirm this because I've found a number of "late" basses and they look very much like True Tone . There is a possibility that the basses and sopranos made from 1959 on are patterned after the Aristocrat, though.

- The charts below do not mention the 400 baritones. The Top Hat & Cane baris are extremely rare -- I've only seen one, and it may have been a "custom" model. Selmer versions and "Post Top Hat" versions are numerous and play similarly to the Bundy/Selmer USA horns.

The following information is thanks to Gregg Jackson, a poster on Sax-on-the-Web. My additions are in red.

"Here's a summary of my data on Buescher 400 alto and tenor saxes. I have information 37 horns. In addition to your replies, I've collected information from other web sites, including eBay and vintage horn sites. I think that the Buescher 400 saxes can be divided into several periods based on model numbers and features. I've identified the features that are new to a period with an asterisk ('*')."

Top Hat and Cane:
- Model numbers: alto: B-7, tenor: B-11
- Serial numbers (physically seen):
-- lowest: alto: 297xxx, tenor: 298xxx
-- highest: alto: 356xxx, tenor: 358xxx
- Bell keys: right rear
- Octave key: underslung
- Norton springs: yes
- Snap in pads: yes
- Rollers: brown
- Tone ring: yes -- silver
- Body finish: lacquer, silver, possibly gold
- Key / Rod finish: keyrods are nickle plate, keys are same as body
- Engraving: Top Hat and Cane
- G# key: "Buescher 400"