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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Buffet Archive / Dynaction tenor ergo mods

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Jan 19th 3:16 AM
I have a comfort issue with my Buffet Dynaction tenor. I love the horn's sound, but its ergonomics, are just weird. I'd like to do three things: First, move the strap ring down just an inch or so, which seems easy enough. Second, attach a modern adjustable RH thumb rest in place of the original. Potential problem--it's really close to the F# trill keyguard. Third, replace the cantilevered neck brace with a modern "flush" one, since the original interferes with neck angle adjustments (it bangs into the octave bridge).

Since this horn is eventually getting the full replate treatment, the shifts away from original spec are a non-issue. Can these things be fairly easily done, and what thumbrest would be the one to use? Is it possible to obtain one like on the S1?

Thanks for your wisdom.

Kwai Chang
User ID: 0394114 Jan 19th 3:59 PM
MAG, a Reference 54/36 thumb rest (360 degrees adjustable), or Tim Glessman one (JL Smith has them), is probably your best option.

Another mod you can make, if you are pretty sure you want to keep the horn until one of you doesn't work any more, is to shift the bell over. Most players have some trouble with the RH fingers hitting the bell key tubes, when keyheights are optimal on SDA tenors. You can shift the bell to the left (player's orientation) a little to make this problem less of a factor, if it is one. People who aren't that familiar with Buffets, though, including techs, will probably not realize this is an intentional mod, if they see it. It will still be evident, after a silverplating, that the bell has been shifted, because there is a cutout in one of the keys that is there to accomodate a post, and which will mark the misalignment. You have to watch out, when moving the bell, naturally, that the misalignment isn't so severe that rubbing/interference occurs.

Moving a thumbhook and a hook strap eye is not a big deal, and done properly the changes will be invisible, other than the obvious fact of non-original equipment, after plating/replating.

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Jan 19th 4:45 PM
Thanks. I don't have any problem with hitting the bell key arms/tubes, but I can see how some people might. If I can get the neck mod I want, I'll be able to turn the neck just enough to make the whole thing really nice and comfy.

mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Jan 19th 3:16 AM I have a comfort issue with my Buffet Dynaction tenor. I love the horn's sound, but its ergonomics, are just weird. I'd like to do three things: First, move the strap ring down just an inch or so, which seems easy enough. Second, attach a modern adjustable RH thumb rest in place of the original. Potential problem--it's really close to the F# trill keyguard. Third, replace the cantilevered neck brace with a modern "flush" one, since the original interferes with neck angle adjustments (it bangs into the octave bridge). Since this horn is eventually getting the full replate treatment, the shifts away from original spec are a non-issue. Can these things be fairly easily done, and what thumbrest would be the one to use? Is it possible to obtain one like on the S1? Thanks for your wisdom.
Kwai Chang User ID: 0394114	Jan 19th 3:59 PM MAG, a Reference 54/36 thumb rest (360 degrees adjustable), or Tim Glessman one (JL Smith has them), is probably your best option. Another mod you can make, if you are pretty sure you want to keep the horn until one of you doesn't work any more, is to shift the bell over. Most players have some trouble with the RH fingers hitting the bell key tubes, when keyheights are optimal on SDA tenors. You can shift the bell to the left (player's orientation) a little to make this problem less of a factor, if it is one. People who aren't that familiar with Buffets, though, including techs, will probably not realize this is an intentional mod, if they see it. It will still be evident, after a silverplating, that the bell has been shifted, because there is a cutout in one of the keys that is there to accomodate a post, and which will mark the misalignment. You have to watch out, when moving the bell, naturally, that the misalignment isn't so severe that rubbing/interference occurs. Moving a thumbhook and a hook strap eye is not a big deal, and done properly the changes will be invisible, other than the obvious fact of non-original equipment, after plating/replating.
mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Jan 19th 4:45 PM Thanks. I don't have any problem with hitting the bell key arms/tubes, but I can see how some people might. If I can get the neck mod I want, I'll be able to turn the neck just enough to make the whole thing really nice and comfy.