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Sax on the Web Archive / Buffet Archive / Buffet SuperDynaction??

Back 20 Messages

RandallKS
User ID: 1536664 Dec 4th 3:05 PM
Anyone had any experience with the Buffet Superdynactions or the S1 tenors? I've been milling over buying one for quite some time but there never seems to be one locally I can get my hands on to blow through. Wichita Band has a '64 silver plate that has really caught my attention. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Paul T.
User ID: 0986624 Dec 25th 12:34 AM
Josh, you are right, S-1 tenor and alto are classically oriented because they are build for the classic music. I changed the sound of my S-1 alto with the Gloger solid silver neck and the Dukoff metal mpc. Now I like its sound, but this action didnt improve the lack of the high end intonation.

Kevin F
User ID: 7789183 Dec 28th 12:39 PM
SDA's are terrific horns, I bought mine from wichita band 2 years ago and its been great. that silver plate unit sounds real nice. i use a new dukoff p-series with it and it blows down walls. the only horn i've played that comes close is my mid-30's selmer ba.

Peter Kossits
User ID: 8875883 Jan 7th 2:45 PM
Hey Randall,

Did you end up getting your horn?

I've been browsing for Buffet on the Web pretty much all day long. I had an accident with my beginner's alto 2 night ago (a table fell on top of it) and it needed repairs and I decided to take advantage of the situation and see if maybe it was the time to upgrade to a better intermediate horn.

Ended up going into a practice room with a Selmer (USA), Yamaha, and a nice-looking LA Sax model and a nice '69 Buffet SDA. I had never heard about Buffet up 'til then and wasn't too hopeful. Man! What a pleasant surprise. Nice dark rich sound, great mid-range tone. It was the nicest by far of all the ones I've tried and I ended up throwing caution to the wind and getting it without knowing too much about the company.

I was half-expecting and ready for the blow of coming on here and other sites and reading lots of bad reviews (after all, why haven't I heard about them before if they're so great). Haven't read _anything_ but raves however and I am a very happy camper! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm going to enjoy mine!!!

Subtone Sam
User ID: 1432154 Jan 7th 3:27 PM
S1´s made for classical music,really?!?! I just bought one ´80 S1 tenor two days ago and it don´t sound classical to me! Well,I don´t play classical anyway and I don´t know what classical horns are supposed to sound.All I know is that the horn sounds damned good! Big,pure sound,great intonation and comfortable keywork.Sounds like "tough" tenor to me! IMO,it has similarities in sound to my JK "Ponzol".And its LOUD! (with my Lawton 10B anyway) Compared to my ´66 Mark VI its a SAXOPHONE.

billmecca
User ID: 2372774 Jan 7th 3:30 PM
I've played a c. 1961 SDA tenor since the late 80's and am surprised to hear it described as "bright." I've always thought of it, and had others comment on it being dark, rich etc, never bright.... guess we fall into those definition games again...

BTW, I play mostly Rock and R&B and use a Runyon Quantum and it wails.

Peter Kossits
User ID: 8952923 Jan 7th 7:09 PM
I defnitely don't see this as a typical classical sax. The tone, at least on my alto, has a hard edge to it right up into the high register. Definitely dark.

Subtone Sam
User ID: 1432154 Jan 8th 11:44 AM
Peter,I agree.Hard edge on tenor,too.

RandallKS
User ID: 1536664 Jan 8th 8:53 PM
Peter,
I did stick with it. I think the silver plating adds to the slightly brighter tone (which could be translated as "harder" to my ears) but fooling around with some reeds, ligs and mouthpieces will adjust the tone to where I want it exactly. That should take me about 10 years (yuck, yuck)!!

Seriously though, I love it. The projection is incredible as well as the intonation and response. I'll be keeping this horn for a while I think.

scoros
User ID: 9642053 Jan 9th 5:02 PM
I play on a SDA tenor 18,716 which has a lovely dark sound. That being said I never have been able to find a mouthpiece combination that I'm crazy about. I play an old New York 5 Link, serial number F65 with V16 3's that gives it a warm dark tone however I can't get any projection with that combo when trying to get over a big band and in R&B situations I might as well forget it. My other piece is a Berg Larsen which gives me more of an edgy tone than I care for. Any of you SDA fans have any thoughts. Oh yeah...soon to be adding a nice SDA alto into the family that I found in perfect shape in someones closet. Picking it up for $750. Great sound...may have to give the VI a rest.

stevew
User ID: 6744053 Jan 10th 7:08 AM
I use a copy of a 50's Link no 8 and get a lovely warm tone on my 1969 vintage SDA tenor. I also have a JodyJazz 8 with spoiler which gives a bit more edge, but I know what you mean about being hard to cut through. I find the reed has to be absolutely right to get a nice crisp sound, more so on this than my other horns. FWIW I went though a load of Berg Larsen metal mpcs and far preferred my Link copy, it plays a lot better with more dynamic range. I also tried a HR Meyer 6M which worked well and a Yanagisawa 7 metal which sucked.

billmecca
User ID: 2372774 Jan 10th 8:12 AM
scoros,

I play an older SDA, c. 1961 (#77xx) and use a Runyon Custom Quantum Spoiler, or a Custom Spoiler).

The Quantum might give you more edge than you want, although it is a "thick" sound, the Custom works well too, and with them being inexpensive as Mpcs go, might be worth a shot.

drop me a line if you want a sound sample. sax@billmecca.

What kids of resos does yours have? mine has flat metal screw ins.

I've also play a Guy Hawkins metal 7 which worked well and have played a Rovner Deep V model 40(the high baffle) which played nicely as well and had a lot of power.

For me, I find the Q to be very flexible.

scoros
User ID: 9642053 Jan 11th 6:21 PM
At the moment my SDA has the plastic pop in resonators although I am thinking about trying the metal screw in resos to try and brighten the horn's sound a bit.

billmecca..I would love a sound sample with the Quantum but it looks like its going to have to wait until I can figure out what I did to my sound card. Computer's been on the fritz and I have been mpc shopping with the money I should have used to repair the thing.

It sounds like I am definitely going to have to try out the Runyon line. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with the Morgan mpc on the SDA?

stevew...I have heard that the rovner ligs will take a little of the egde off on some of the bergs...don't know if this will totally aleviate the problem but I thought it might be a possible solution.

Matt K
User ID: 0875014 Jan 12th 12:29 AM
Scoros, I play a '59 SDA tenor with either a 6M or a 5E Morgan. Best setup I've ever had.

About resonators: mine had metal when I got it and I put plastic on it and can't tell a bit of difference.

Subtone Sam, I have an S1 tenor on the way, by the way, and I also have a '66 Mark VI. I'm with you, the Selmer can't touch the Buffet.
I'm really worried that the S1 won't sound as good as the SDA, but from what you and others have said, it might be even better.
I'll keep you 'posted'.

Franz L.
User ID: 0986624 Jan 14th 7:37 AM
Somebody was wondering, what means the classically oriented S-1s. I suppose, that it was referred to the fact, that Buffet used professor Daniel Defayet as the adviser when S-1 was constructed. He is the teacher of the classical sax music in some musical university in Paris. The sound of the instrument is very personal thing. The horn sounds different way for the different persons even if they use the same set-up.

Laurie
User ID: 9056633 Jan 17th 1:47 PM
Scoros - billmecca's dead right about the Runyon pieces;I play a Custom Spoiler with Java#3 on my '75 SDA/S1 transitional ; nothing else - including Dukoff,Larsen - gets close.Fearsome!
(Dunno about all this classical sax stuff,though;
the same instrument that was warblin' away nicely to old ladies at some tea dance is quite capable of removing substantial pieces of masonry at a rock gig;it's all down to i.resos ii.piece,and reed iii.player

billmecca
User ID: 2372774 Jan 17th 2:16 PM
Laurie,

Did you happen to attened GSC around 1980?

Laurie
User ID: 9056633 Jan 20th 10:43 AM
Sorry, billmecca! Would love to have done, but in 1980, was at Exeter University, Devon, England. (at least I think I was!)

Saxjazzed
User ID: 9209903 Feb 12th 2:35 AM
I have both a Buffet alto and tenor in the copper "Prestige" model. They both play geat with rich tone although the alto gets a higher rating with me. Had to change the neck on the tenor to a copper Keilwerth which works much better. Does anybody have any info on these horns? How do they compare to the S1 or SDA?

billmecca
User ID: 2372774 Feb 13th 10:24 AM
Oh well Laurie,

I roomed with a sax player back then, and he had a friend sax player, Laurie....(it was a long shot, but...) I didn't play at the time. But he showed me a few things, and as they say, the rest is historyinteruupted, I didnt pick up a horn again for6 or so years....;-)

Back 20 Messages

RandallKS User ID: 1536664	Dec 4th 3:05 PM Anyone had any experience with the Buffet Superdynactions or the S1 tenors? I've been milling over buying one for quite some time but there never seems to be one locally I can get my hands on to blow through. Wichita Band has a '64 silver plate that has really caught my attention. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Paul T. User ID: 0986624	Dec 25th 12:34 AM Josh, you are right, S-1 tenor and alto are classically oriented because they are build for the classic music. I changed the sound of my S-1 alto with the Gloger solid silver neck and the Dukoff metal mpc. Now I like its sound, but this action didnt improve the lack of the high end intonation.
Kevin F User ID: 7789183	Dec 28th 12:39 PM SDA's are terrific horns, I bought mine from wichita band 2 years ago and its been great. that silver plate unit sounds real nice. i use a new dukoff p-series with it and it blows down walls. the only horn i've played that comes close is my mid-30's selmer ba.
Peter Kossits User ID: 8875883	Jan 7th 2:45 PM Hey Randall, Did you end up getting your horn? I've been browsing for Buffet on the Web pretty much all day long. I had an accident with my beginner's alto 2 night ago (a table fell on top of it) and it needed repairs and I decided to take advantage of the situation and see if maybe it was the time to upgrade to a better intermediate horn. Ended up going into a practice room with a Selmer (USA), Yamaha, and a nice-looking LA Sax model and a nice '69 Buffet SDA. I had never heard about Buffet up 'til then and wasn't too hopeful. Man! What a pleasant surprise. Nice dark rich sound, great mid-range tone. It was the nicest by far of all the ones I've tried and I ended up throwing caution to the wind and getting it without knowing too much about the company. I was half-expecting and ready for the blow of coming on here and other sites and reading lots of bad reviews (after all, why haven't I heard about them before if they're so great). Haven't read _anything_ but raves however and I am a very happy camper! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm going to enjoy mine!!!
Subtone Sam User ID: 1432154	Jan 7th 3:27 PM S1´s made for classical music,really?!?! I just bought one ´80 S1 tenor two days ago and it don´t sound classical to me! Well,I don´t play classical anyway and I don´t know what classical horns are supposed to sound.All I know is that the horn sounds damned good! Big,pure sound,great intonation and comfortable keywork.Sounds like "tough" tenor to me! IMO,it has similarities in sound to my JK "Ponzol".And its LOUD! (with my Lawton 10B anyway) Compared to my ´66 Mark VI its a SAXOPHONE.
billmecca User ID: 2372774	Jan 7th 3:30 PM I've played a c. 1961 SDA tenor since the late 80's and am surprised to hear it described as "bright." I've always thought of it, and had others comment on it being dark, rich etc, never bright.... guess we fall into those definition games again... BTW, I play mostly Rock and R&B and use a Runyon Quantum and it wails.
Peter Kossits User ID: 8952923	Jan 7th 7:09 PM I defnitely don't see this as a typical classical sax. The tone, at least on my alto, has a hard edge to it right up into the high register. Definitely dark.
Subtone Sam User ID: 1432154	Jan 8th 11:44 AM Peter,I agree.Hard edge on tenor,too.
RandallKS User ID: 1536664	Jan 8th 8:53 PM Peter, I did stick with it. I think the silver plating adds to the slightly brighter tone (which could be translated as "harder" to my ears) but fooling around with some reeds, ligs and mouthpieces will adjust the tone to where I want it exactly. That should take me about 10 years (yuck, yuck)!! Seriously though, I love it. The projection is incredible as well as the intonation and response. I'll be keeping this horn for a while I think.
scoros User ID: 9642053	Jan 9th 5:02 PM I play on a SDA tenor 18,716 which has a lovely dark sound. That being said I never have been able to find a mouthpiece combination that I'm crazy about. I play an old New York 5 Link, serial number F65 with V16 3's that gives it a warm dark tone however I can't get any projection with that combo when trying to get over a big band and in R&B situations I might as well forget it. My other piece is a Berg Larsen which gives me more of an edgy tone than I care for. Any of you SDA fans have any thoughts. Oh yeah...soon to be adding a nice SDA alto into the family that I found in perfect shape in someones closet. Picking it up for $750. Great sound...may have to give the VI a rest.
stevew User ID: 6744053	Jan 10th 7:08 AM I use a copy of a 50's Link no 8 and get a lovely warm tone on my 1969 vintage SDA tenor. I also have a JodyJazz 8 with spoiler which gives a bit more edge, but I know what you mean about being hard to cut through. I find the reed has to be absolutely right to get a nice crisp sound, more so on this than my other horns. FWIW I went though a load of Berg Larsen metal mpcs and far preferred my Link copy, it plays a lot better with more dynamic range. I also tried a HR Meyer 6M which worked well and a Yanagisawa 7 metal which sucked.
billmecca User ID: 2372774	Jan 10th 8:12 AM scoros, I play an older SDA, c. 1961 (#77xx) and use a Runyon Custom Quantum Spoiler, or a Custom Spoiler). The Quantum might give you more edge than you want, although it is a "thick" sound, the Custom works well too, and with them being inexpensive as Mpcs go, might be worth a shot. drop me a line if you want a sound sample. sax@billmecca. What kids of resos does yours have? mine has flat metal screw ins. I've also play a Guy Hawkins metal 7 which worked well and have played a Rovner Deep V model 40(the high baffle) which played nicely as well and had a lot of power. For me, I find the Q to be very flexible.
scoros User ID: 9642053	Jan 11th 6:21 PM At the moment my SDA has the plastic pop in resonators although I am thinking about trying the metal screw in resos to try and brighten the horn's sound a bit. billmecca..I would love a sound sample with the Quantum but it looks like its going to have to wait until I can figure out what I did to my sound card. Computer's been on the fritz and I have been mpc shopping with the money I should have used to repair the thing. It sounds like I am definitely going to have to try out the Runyon line. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with the Morgan mpc on the SDA? stevew...I have heard that the rovner ligs will take a little of the egde off on some of the bergs...don't know if this will totally aleviate the problem but I thought it might be a possible solution.
Matt K User ID: 0875014	Jan 12th 12:29 AM Scoros, I play a '59 SDA tenor with either a 6M or a 5E Morgan. Best setup I've ever had. About resonators: mine had metal when I got it and I put plastic on it and can't tell a bit of difference. Subtone Sam, I have an S1 tenor on the way, by the way, and I also have a '66 Mark VI. I'm with you, the Selmer can't touch the Buffet. I'm really worried that the S1 won't sound as good as the SDA, but from what you and others have said, it might be even better. I'll keep you 'posted'.
Franz L. User ID: 0986624	Jan 14th 7:37 AM Somebody was wondering, what means the classically oriented S-1s. I suppose, that it was referred to the fact, that Buffet used professor Daniel Defayet as the adviser when S-1 was constructed. He is the teacher of the classical sax music in some musical university in Paris. The sound of the instrument is very personal thing. The horn sounds different way for the different persons even if they use the same set-up.
Laurie User ID: 9056633	Jan 17th 1:47 PM Scoros - billmecca's dead right about the Runyon pieces;I play a Custom Spoiler with Java#3 on my '75 SDA/S1 transitional ; nothing else - including Dukoff,Larsen - gets close.Fearsome! (Dunno about all this classical sax stuff,though; the same instrument that was warblin' away nicely to old ladies at some tea dance is quite capable of removing substantial pieces of masonry at a rock gig;it's all down to i.resos ii.piece,and reed iii.player
billmecca User ID: 2372774	Jan 17th 2:16 PM Laurie, Did you happen to attened GSC around 1980?
Laurie User ID: 9056633	Jan 20th 10:43 AM Sorry, billmecca! Would love to have done, but in 1980, was at Exeter University, Devon, England. (at least I think I was!)
Saxjazzed User ID: 9209903	Feb 12th 2:35 AM I have both a Buffet alto and tenor in the copper "Prestige" model. They both play geat with rich tone although the alto gets a higher rating with me. Had to change the neck on the tenor to a copper Keilwerth which works much better. Does anybody have any info on these horns? How do they compare to the S1 or SDA?
billmecca User ID: 2372774	Feb 13th 10:24 AM Oh well Laurie, I roomed with a sax player back then, and he had a friend sax player, Laurie....(it was a long shot, but...) I didn't play at the time. But he showed me a few things, and as they say, the rest is historyinteruupted, I didnt pick up a horn again for6 or so years....;-)