Repairman's Overview: Buffet Super Dynaction Tenor Saxophone
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2013
- Saxophone repairman Matt Stohrer of www.StohrerMusic.com fixes more than saxophones as he amends a long-standing oversight and finally does an overview of one of his favorite all-around saxophones, the Buffet Super Dynaction in this thrilling 24-minute installment. I mean just think about it, that is as long as an episode of a TV show on Netflix. Wow.
For more on Buffet saxophones, see here: www.saxophone.org/museum/saxop...
To see some nice photographs of the saxophone in this video, see here: www.stohrermusic.com/2013/06/b...
I don't know why I started watching these videos, because I don't play sax. But they're very interesting none the less.
I own and learned on the same sax, s/n 6462, bent the vertical column as well as MANY other physical issues (dents, broken blue springs) most of the finish on the bell is worn from resting in my leg during marching and concert band in the early 2000s. Was passed to me from my dad who bought it new from Paris.
I am always trying to find a good place to get an over haul done so I can play it again.
Ha! What an awesome thing to hear. Thanks! I am glad you enjoy them.
Good evening l really admire the bell key guards on these horns l think they look awesome.
I'm looking at one of these and this was the perfect video for me. Thank you for posting.
Wonderful... thanks once again Matt Stohrer!
Really enjoyed this review! I'm considering buying a vintage Buffet and this helped greatly.
Have a Super Dynaction on my bench. Checked this out because...left pinky table. Thanks Matt!
Beautiful instrument and wonderful demonstration/overview.
Nice... I own the same tenor same year 1971. I put in the shop last month for a complete overhaul with new finish. Played this horn in the navy band back in 1981 - 1983. Wonderful horn to play. Thanks for the info
OK, so I'm very late getting here, but you have a bunch of vids out here. On the subject of "sparkle-finish". I own a King Super 20 Silver-Sonic Tenor originally ordered 1961 by a friend who used 3 years in High School and stored it. It has that "Sparkle Finish" you speak of. Ron stored in his attic (hot) and basement (hot and cold) for over 50 years. The lacquered brass has the sparkle, the lacquered silver does not. Was told the brass expanded and contracted due to the temp extremes, while the silver did not, or very little causing the beautiful sparkle patina. Love it, especially in the right light! Thank you!
Another interesting overview. Thanks!
just got a 71 sda alto. insane. love it.
Hi, Matt
Great video! This inspired me to get a Super Dynaction. I'm handing it in to a technician soon, since it's leaking, but there's an issue besides that bothering me. The neck seems to be very weirdly angled - level with the horn; The mouthpiece balances downwards when playing, and doesn't sit comfortably in the mouth(as it does when using my modern horn, or other vintage saxes I've tried, SML, Selmer). I've heard of similiar problems from people playing Conns. Do you think this is due to the positioning of the neck-strap ring? Any possible solutions for this? Moving the ring downwards to balance the instrument differently?
Your input would be greatly appreciated. All the best.
I have the same exact 1971 model and I'm her because my octave mechanism isn't functioning right. When I play any notes where octave on the neck goes up, it stays up even though I go back down to notes where I need it closed. I have to actually push it back down. The keys won't do the work for me. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the overview. My tech is great but I think some of your points here - I can suggest to even quite my horn. I have 1974 with the F# key and it does not have the cut out in the tenon. So this is an older video 2013 and you said that prime condition would fetch 3500 then.. My horn has an almost new finish and I got it in 2008 for 800 dollars. Because a music store convinced the parents and the son to get a Cannonball. And the case is crap - I agree. I see you have a Balanced Action video which I also have. I got mine for 2100 in 2003. I do play the Buffet more because it is modern feeling compared to the SBA plus I am afraid it will get stolen in a gig. These horns are dark sounding but I kept on using a modified Meyer and an old NY Link and you need to push them to get them bright. I finally got me a Vandoren Jumbo Java. I am older now and can't really blow hard or use metal mouthpieces anymore. I also have a YTS-62 but I play the Buffet more. They really are special. Thanks again
I'd love to see a review on a king silversonic or super 20 :D
I just got one that’s pretty beat up but it sounds beautiful
Awsome info. Thanks a million. Iam going to buy one ASAP
try before you buy!
I've seen one advertised for sale at a reputable music store as serial 38XX from 1955. This is outside the range of years/serials you mention. Just wondering about this. Was there an earlier model than 1957?
Great video indeed! I recently bought one of these. I watched the whole video and was wondering if anyone knows if it’s normal for the low c# to be difficult to press with the pinky? My horn seems to be in very good condition and had a recent overhaul but this seems to be an issue. The only other thing is that it’s a bit difficult to tongue low C or play from low C to D with the right amount of air to make it sound smooth. However low B and B are just fine
I have the same issue!! I think it’s just a set up issue. The overhaul is nice but the left hand pinky has to be set up by one of the good ones. I was gonna take mine to saxquest and see if they could fix it. All of my other notes are fine. These horns play better with the right mouthpiece also. What mouthpiece are you using? Are you on Instagram? Mine is @xavierajordan if you do have one
Love the videos Matt. How would you compare the sound of this horn to the 10m. If one is looking for a sound closer to the 10m (rich and spread) but with better action and intonation, is this a good find?
These things are built to play classical music; they're very focused and dark. Not like the big spread you get from a 10m.
Hey Matt, hope you do an overview on the S-1!
Never mind! I found the S-1 alto video 😅
I own a 1959 SDA. Needs an adjustment by someone like Matt. Otherwise it plays and I LOVE the sound. I use a harness because it’s a heavy horn.
I’m curious to know if you, or anyone else, have ever experienced an SDA alto with a “warbling” pitch issue on high C, and middle C to a lesser extent. I’ve never had this issue on any other alto I’ve owned, nor with the two SDA tenors I’ve owned. It’s my only complaint about an otherwise wonderful horn.
Hi Matt, do you find the alto SDAs are very sharp in the upper registers? I've heard very nice tenors but not very many in-tune sounding altos... what is your experience? Thank you very much.
my experience too. i've got a '64 SDA tenor (and a '84 S1 tenor as well...) and a '57 SDA alto, all of them play and sound great, but the intonation of the alto beyond a2 is quite unstable. Would be interesting to know if there is anything we could do... Thank you, Matt, for your great, interesting and enlightening videos!
price range?
Mine has an F# but does not have the cut out on the neck tenon. It is a 1974 I think that is only for the altos
Good point! I believe you are correct.
If you currently play a MK6 you will find the key alignment very strange.
I have a 1961 SDA Tenor, and play in rock cover bands, either with a custom Link STM .110 or a HR Berg .110. ;) my lacquer isn't nearly as nice as the one you have in the video. ;)
SDA = TONE MONSTER
If these tenor saxes are as great as you claim they are...how come none of the tenor sax greats (Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, etc) ever used one? Matter of fact, Sonny Rollins recorded Saxophone Colossus on a Buescher 'Big B'.
you can ask that same silly question about most saxophone makes, and the answer is going to be similar: Buffet made less saxophones in 50 years than Selmer made in 2 years, spent next to nothing on advertising, and didn't give many saxophones away to recording artists. Selmer did the opposite, and their reputation among folks who use photos on albums to judge the playing capabilities of saxophones (such as yourself) has always been high. To those of us who actually experience a saxophone by playing it, it is known that there are a LOT of great saxophones out there that are not as well known and consequently are much more affordable. Believe me or don't, the proof is in the playing.
***** hi Matt, thank you for your reply. You've given me so much valuable information on saxophones and mouthpieces, in fact, i went ahead and bought a Dukoff Hollywood based on your recommendation. I didn't mean to question your judgement, i actually just bought 1958 Buffet SDA after watching this (still waiting on delivery). I'm still perplexed by Selmer's dominance amongst the prominent tenor masters! Keep up the good work!
Ah! My bad for reacting defensively. Let me know how you like your SDA! If you have any questions about it, feel free to give me a call.
***** hi Matt, you were right...my Buffet Crampon Super Dynaction plays like a dream! The sound's far superior than many of the horns i''ve played. Wonderful instrument! I recommend you to all my friends!
My question is, is the Dynaction and Super Dynaction tenor saxes identical physically( size, shape). I'm shopping for a sturdier carry case to take my horn to gigs but can only find cases that can accomodate the Dynactions's dimensions.
Awesome! Glad you got a horn you love.
Yes, the dimensions are extremely close. Anything that fits a DA should fit an SDA.