MBushaw
User ID: 9955583
| Sep 2nd 8:49 PM
OK, I'm excited.
Won an eBay Buffet SDA Low A bari, in silver. Anyone ever play one? I've played SDA alto and tenor and loved both, but haven't ever seen a Buffet bari. Anyone?
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Matt K
User ID: 1648184
| Sep 3rd 7:49 PM
Congrats- I saw that one. It is beautiful. I just hope you don't need a hydraulic jack to get the low C# open...
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MBushaw
User ID: 4260204
| Sep 4th 2:48 PM
Matt K- I've seen several comments about left pinky keys on SDA's. I don't remember any problems with the alto I had, and I only played the tenor for a few minutes. Do the larger SDA's really have that poor of a linkage?
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Matt K
User ID: 0478154
| Sep 4th 6:44 PM
Well my tenor does. I've had it worked on several times trying to get it lightened up to no avail. You can only lighten it by reducing spring tension and there's a fine line. If you lighten too much the C# key will blow open and/or the low B and Bb won't open. It's a real pain in the patooty.
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madav
User ID: 9892733
| Sep 5th 2:31 AM
i was thinking about this - and until Matt mentioned it I also hadn't noticed this problem at all . Maybe tho' it has something to do with hand size. I have pretty large hands (need palm risers), and then my left pinky comes down on the C# more vertically. Whereas if you have smaller hands the pinky is operating horizontally and with l;ess strength. Therefore maybe you can position the left hand differently on the thumb rest to help ??
Another option would be to disconnect the G# key, maybe with an SML type mechanism, this would definitely lighten up the C# since you 're only operating one key rather than 2.
Looking forward to hearing the restuls of your test run on the Bari tho !
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MBushaw
User ID: 9544623
| Sep 5th 5:18 PM
BIG box on my door step.
Seller was slightly optomistic in his description-
The Bad- re-soldered body to bell brace and pigtail makes me think the horn was bent and straightened. Play in some of the keys makes me think there is still some bend. The solder job around the pigtail leaks, so I'll have to silicone it (used liquid handsoap to make a temporary seal and verify where the leak was). Eb keyguard pushed in and deformed tonehole, easily fixable.
The Good- Keywork feels like it will be very fast once cleaned, oiled and adjusted. New pads (too-soft pads with Selmer-type plastic dome resos). Horn looks great from a little distance and just well used closer. Plating is good except around the repairs. Very small bell flare, smaller than a Bb MkVI. Compact French style horn. Low C#- not bad, needs adjustment. It has a simple rod from the pinky key leading to a middle pivot piece, then the lever to the keycup. I think once it is set up it will be OK. Horn is heavy, now I know why it has the little footpeg (and it really works!) Key rods don't flex.
SOUND - This thing BARKS! Tried it with my JVW'd Soloist, which on most horns produces a slightly edgy round cello sound, and it sounded like a vintage levelair 5*, well, not quite that edgy, but close. Very responsive (with the leak fixed), very even tone thru all registers, better than MkVI. Will have to do the repairs and spend some time with it, but right now I'm pretty happy with it.
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Matt K
User ID: 0478154
| Sep 6th 1:12 AM
Way to go, sounds like a winner. You've survived another round of ebay roulette!
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MBushaw
User ID: 2713794
| Sep 6th 11:53 AM
I've had extraordinary luck on eBay-
Bought a 1936 BA alto (relac) that was listed as a RI for around $1600 (great condition horn).
Bought a Buffet S1 alto Buy It Now for $850 that is in better shape than most store demo horns.
Bought a Holton (Beuscher 400 stencil) bari for $450 with no neck, found the neck was hiding inside the horn.
No burns yet!
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