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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Buffet Archive / Buffet- good for jazz too?

Next 20 Messages

Saxydude
User ID: 1139804 Sep 2nd 9:07 PM
I'm in the process of acquiring a beautiful tenor Buffet SA. I just want to know, are these horns any good for jazz playing? Also, what sort of setup is good on this horn? Will my Otto Link still work for jazz? Thanks

singlereed
User ID: 8868883 Sep 3rd 8:54 AM
I am not sure if the SDA and S1 I owned are in the same ball park as an 'SA' (never heard of that one), but found both to be flexible and great sounding horns which worked fine for jazz. I used a copy of a vintage Link and that worked really well on those horns.

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Sep 3rd 11:55 AM
Haven't played an SA (aka 18-20), but I can imagine what it must be like to do so. Every Buffet I have played has been an alto, so take my comments with a grain of salt. Though Buffets are ideally suited to classical/legit playing, I wouldn't hesitate to use mine for jazz. With the right mouthpiece, it should be excellent, since Buffets, in my experience, have a unique ability to take on the personality and tonality of a mpc while still sounding like a Buffet.

madav
User ID: 1167284 Sep 3rd 1:13 PM
well if you look at the SDA's on ebay, about half of them have the "sparkle" lacquer, and come in a fake alligator skin box - and I don't think that this marketing ploy was targetting the classical players. Stick a Lawton or a Ponzol on the end and you'll see what I mean.

The "SA" you're talking about, I presume is actually a "DA", or Dynaction (follows the 18-20). I have one of each of these tenors, and the DA, which is the immerdiate rpredecessor of the SDA is more comfortable and has better intonation than my SDA. I think they're extremely good value for money,and the build quality is very high.

Saxydude
User ID: 1139804 Sep 3rd 3:54 PM
I apoligize for the confusion on the name. The horn is a Super Dynaction. It was offered to me as a trade for my Mk VII and since I've been trying to get a different horn, I think I'm going to go for this Buffet. Thanks for all your help.

Stevew
User ID: 8868883 Sep 4th 7:37 AM
Ah well, yes, if a SuperDynaction, give it a try especially if it has modern style keywork on the LH pinky table, similar to the S1 - this appeared on the last few SDAs and I much prefer it. It may or not be better than your VII as they get mixed reviews.

madav
User ID: 9892733 Sep 4th 8:03 AM
don't forget a Selmer is still a Selmer, and even if you have one of the less popular models it's still going to command and hold a reasonable price. Buffets in general don't fetch so much, so make sure that it makes financial sense.

Saxydude
User ID: 1139804 Sep 4th 3:42 PM
Well, I've been trying to rid myself of my Selmer for quite some time and still no buyer, and this was the only decent offer I've gotten in 6 months of posting. The seller's description seems to mean like it is a good SDA. The s/n is 150xxx. I don't know if this is the good area or not? Thanks

Subtone Sam
User ID: 1432154 Sep 13th 11:49 AM
I had a S1 for a while and to ME,it felt more on the classical side.Also tried an SDA a while ago and it felt more classical too.I´m comparing these horns mainly to JKs which I play.Again,matter of taste,really.

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Sep 13th 12:07 PM
Subtone, ever play a Dynaction?

billmecca.com
User ID: 0916684 Sep 13th 1:53 PM
I have a c. 1961(#76xx)SDA tenor and I play mostly R&R, by nature it's a dark, rich horn, and it takes mpc changes well. I've played it with Links, Meyers, Bergs, Rovners, Runyons and currently a Vandoren Jumbo Java. Someone asked in another thread, why put a bright piece on a dark horn. to make it speak up. ;-)

It's the only Tenor I own. i've played others but am so used to this keywork and feel that the others feel small.

Matt K
User ID: 1446254 Sep 14th 7:03 PM
Billmecca, After playing my keilwerth for a few weeks, I picked up my SDA and IT felt small! Really small.

Saxydude, I played jazz on my SDA for a year and it sounds great. Very unique tone. Dark and strong.

Saxydude
User ID: 1139804 Sep 22nd 6:05 PM
Everyone- Thanks for posting. I just bought an S-1 tenor!! Hopefully it will be here by the end of the week. I can't wait.

Saxydude
User ID: 1139804 Oct 2nd 7:18 PM
Everyone- I got my S-1 yesterday and WOW. What a horn. My only complaint is the low end is a little stuffy with my C*, everything else is amazing. I put my Vandoren Java mouthpiece on it, and wow, it screams. Make the stuffiness in the low end is just me not being adjusted to the horn yet....any tips on how to make my low D in particular speak better? Thanks.

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Oct 5th 11:44 AM
I'm still so looking for a great S-1 tenor, so congrats.

Low end will surely improve as the horn plays you in (ha ha). Opening low C# when playing D makes it go a bit sharp (usually) but opens it up considerably. Easy to lip in once you get used to it, but can complicate fast passages (but on those it won't matter much if the D is a tad stuffy).

Also, try a more open mouthpiece, one with a medium-sized round chamber vice the closed tip and small square chamber of the C*. Works way better on alto then a C*, and I suspect it will for tenor as well.

Saxydude
User ID: 1139804 Oct 7th 3:58 PM
Alto Guy- I figured out what was wrong in the low end. I had new pads installed on the horn before I bought it and the pads hadn't seated yet while I was playing it. I had a few minor adjustments made, and now it plays great. What a super horn. I don't know if there was every a better, all-around tenor made.....maybe the VI, I don't know.

Saxydude
User ID: 1139804 Oct 16th 5:03 PM
Alto Guy- Any suggestions for a hard rubber legit. mouthpiece like the one you mentioned above? I'm thinking of having mine refaced to a D or E, but if there is a better mouthpiece out there for less than $125.... Thanks.

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Oct 18th 12:31 PM
Saxydude, check out the Vandoren website. Their pieces are really well finished out of the box, and there is a VD piece for everyone. I'm on a V5 T27 (for legit). Read the descriptions, then shop price for the one or two that seem good for your sound concept.

Saxydude
User ID: 1139804 Oct 21st 4:38 PM
Alto Guy- I got a V5 T-25 on ebay for $35.00 (couldn't resist.) It should be here Saturday. I might have to open it to a T-27...but is there that much of a difference? Thanks for your help.

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Oct 22nd 1:47 PM
The T25 is fairly closed, but also has a reasonably open and sizeable chamber. I like the sound. But V5s are great pieces that reportedly can take well to minor modification, if you choose to do so. Use a fairly hard reed, at least a 3, or you'll find the 25 may want to try to close up on you up high. I think you'll enjoy this piece. If you do find it too similar to the Slemer piece, try one of thir others, like a Java (very little baffle) or even Jumbo Java (high baffle). These are bigger-chambered pieces than the V5s.

BTW, I now have a Dynaction tenor enroute to me. Can hardly wait to try it out.

Next 20 Messages

Saxydude User ID: 1139804	Sep 2nd 9:07 PM I'm in the process of acquiring a beautiful tenor Buffet SA. I just want to know, are these horns any good for jazz playing? Also, what sort of setup is good on this horn? Will my Otto Link still work for jazz? Thanks
singlereed User ID: 8868883	Sep 3rd 8:54 AM I am not sure if the SDA and S1 I owned are in the same ball park as an 'SA' (never heard of that one), but found both to be flexible and great sounding horns which worked fine for jazz. I used a copy of a vintage Link and that worked really well on those horns.
mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Sep 3rd 11:55 AM Haven't played an SA (aka 18-20), but I can imagine what it must be like to do so. Every Buffet I have played has been an alto, so take my comments with a grain of salt. Though Buffets are ideally suited to classical/legit playing, I wouldn't hesitate to use mine for jazz. With the right mouthpiece, it should be excellent, since Buffets, in my experience, have a unique ability to take on the personality and tonality of a mpc while still sounding like a Buffet.
madav User ID: 1167284	Sep 3rd 1:13 PM well if you look at the SDA's on ebay, about half of them have the "sparkle" lacquer, and come in a fake alligator skin box - and I don't think that this marketing ploy was targetting the classical players. Stick a Lawton or a Ponzol on the end and you'll see what I mean. The "SA" you're talking about, I presume is actually a "DA", or Dynaction (follows the 18-20). I have one of each of these tenors, and the DA, which is the immerdiate rpredecessor of the SDA is more comfortable and has better intonation than my SDA. I think they're extremely good value for money,and the build quality is very high.
Saxydude User ID: 1139804	Sep 3rd 3:54 PM I apoligize for the confusion on the name. The horn is a Super Dynaction. It was offered to me as a trade for my Mk VII and since I've been trying to get a different horn, I think I'm going to go for this Buffet. Thanks for all your help.
Stevew User ID: 8868883	Sep 4th 7:37 AM Ah well, yes, if a SuperDynaction, give it a try especially if it has modern style keywork on the LH pinky table, similar to the S1 - this appeared on the last few SDAs and I much prefer it. It may or not be better than your VII as they get mixed reviews.
madav User ID: 9892733	Sep 4th 8:03 AM don't forget a Selmer is still a Selmer, and even if you have one of the less popular models it's still going to command and hold a reasonable price. Buffets in general don't fetch so much, so make sure that it makes financial sense.
Saxydude User ID: 1139804	Sep 4th 3:42 PM Well, I've been trying to rid myself of my Selmer for quite some time and still no buyer, and this was the only decent offer I've gotten in 6 months of posting. The seller's description seems to mean like it is a good SDA. The s/n is 150xxx. I don't know if this is the good area or not? Thanks
Subtone Sam User ID: 1432154	Sep 13th 11:49 AM I had a S1 for a while and to ME,it felt more on the classical side.Also tried an SDA a while ago and it felt more classical too.I´m comparing these horns mainly to JKs which I play.Again,matter of taste,really.
mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Sep 13th 12:07 PM Subtone, ever play a Dynaction?
billmecca.com User ID: 0916684	Sep 13th 1:53 PM I have a c. 1961(#76xx)SDA tenor and I play mostly R&R, by nature it's a dark, rich horn, and it takes mpc changes well. I've played it with Links, Meyers, Bergs, Rovners, Runyons and currently a Vandoren Jumbo Java. Someone asked in another thread, why put a bright piece on a dark horn. to make it speak up. ;-) It's the only Tenor I own. i've played others but am so used to this keywork and feel that the others feel small.
Matt K User ID: 1446254	Sep 14th 7:03 PM Billmecca, After playing my keilwerth for a few weeks, I picked up my SDA and IT felt small! Really small. Saxydude, I played jazz on my SDA for a year and it sounds great. Very unique tone. Dark and strong.
Saxydude User ID: 1139804	Sep 22nd 6:05 PM Everyone- Thanks for posting. I just bought an S-1 tenor!! Hopefully it will be here by the end of the week. I can't wait.
Saxydude User ID: 1139804	Oct 2nd 7:18 PM Everyone- I got my S-1 yesterday and WOW. What a horn. My only complaint is the low end is a little stuffy with my C*, everything else is amazing. I put my Vandoren Java mouthpiece on it, and wow, it screams. Make the stuffiness in the low end is just me not being adjusted to the horn yet....any tips on how to make my low D in particular speak better? Thanks.
mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Oct 5th 11:44 AM I'm still so looking for a great S-1 tenor, so congrats. Low end will surely improve as the horn plays you in (ha ha). Opening low C# when playing D makes it go a bit sharp (usually) but opens it up considerably. Easy to lip in once you get used to it, but can complicate fast passages (but on those it won't matter much if the D is a tad stuffy). Also, try a more open mouthpiece, one with a medium-sized round chamber vice the closed tip and small square chamber of the C. Works way better on alto then a C, and I suspect it will for tenor as well.
Saxydude User ID: 1139804	Oct 7th 3:58 PM Alto Guy- I figured out what was wrong in the low end. I had new pads installed on the horn before I bought it and the pads hadn't seated yet while I was playing it. I had a few minor adjustments made, and now it plays great. What a super horn. I don't know if there was every a better, all-around tenor made.....maybe the VI, I don't know.
Saxydude User ID: 1139804	Oct 16th 5:03 PM Alto Guy- Any suggestions for a hard rubber legit. mouthpiece like the one you mentioned above? I'm thinking of having mine refaced to a D or E, but if there is a better mouthpiece out there for less than $125.... Thanks.
mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Oct 18th 12:31 PM Saxydude, check out the Vandoren website. Their pieces are really well finished out of the box, and there is a VD piece for everyone. I'm on a V5 T27 (for legit). Read the descriptions, then shop price for the one or two that seem good for your sound concept.
Saxydude User ID: 1139804	Oct 21st 4:38 PM Alto Guy- I got a V5 T-25 on ebay for $35.00 (couldn't resist.) It should be here Saturday. I might have to open it to a T-27...but is there that much of a difference? Thanks for your help.
mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Oct 22nd 1:47 PM The T25 is fairly closed, but also has a reasonably open and sizeable chamber. I like the sound. But V5s are great pieces that reportedly can take well to minor modification, if you choose to do so. Use a fairly hard reed, at least a 3, or you'll find the 25 may want to try to close up on you up high. I think you'll enjoy this piece. If you do find it too similar to the Slemer piece, try one of thir others, like a Java (very little baffle) or even Jumbo Java (high baffle). These are bigger-chambered pieces than the V5s. BTW, I now have a Dynaction tenor enroute to me. Can hardly wait to try it out.