DA tenor Vs. SDA

[Bill08690]

Anyone familiar with the differences between the two models? I'm more concerned with the sound quality than anything else.

[Kinger]

Well, I myself was just rooting through these pages to find anything i could on SDA

Check this site out though, this is all i know at them moment.

http://www.saxpics.com/buffet/SDA.htm

[Bill08690]

These comments have been added since I wrote the original inquiry.

Techie Notes (changes from the Dynaction model):
- Elimination of the Eb vent key and G# trill key.
- "BC" bell-to-body brace.
- "Super Dynaction" engraved on the body of the horn.
- Some late models may have altissimo F# keys, but this was not a standard feature.

[Kritavi]

I owned two Dynaction altos and a SDA alto and had all three at the same time for awhile.
One DA has plastic resonators and was in perfect playing shape, the other had oversized metal and needed a little work. The SDA was completely overhauled and had brass resotechs.
The plastic resonator DA had a wonderful sweet sound, very nuanced and expressive. The tonal quality was very pleasing. The DA with metal had a much bigger sound, (suggesting but not proving that metal resonators do make a big difference) and likely would have player similarly with a little work to it.
The SDA (which was bare brass) had the best alto sound I have ever heard from the many horns I've owned including Mark VI, Selmer BA, Conn Chu and 6M, Martin Commitee and others I can't think of. The tonal quality was very full and complex with very pleasing overtones, highly expressive. Go for the SDA if possible but I would not overlook a Dynaction. I use a Dynaction tenor in my r+b band and it is a great honker, far better then the 10M I was using before it (hard to believe though).

[mostly alto guy]

I have a DA alto with the original domed metal screw-in resos, and it's the darkest, smokiest-sounding alto I've ever played. The keywork is not problematic (has the G# trill but not the Eb vent), and the intonation is pretty good with some mouthpieces. Overall, this horn is a keeper (maybe partly because it's 95%+ original deep gold lacquer and ding free).

I've played only one SDA alto, a bare brass and heavily oxidized example that was not quite as dark as my DA but similar sounding in every other way. As I recall, the keywork was virtually identical in feel, though the horn felt heavier overall.

I also have an all original DA tenor. It's not nearly as pretty as the alto, and needs pads, but has a similarly dark but rather soft (for a tenor) sound and the same keywork. The softness may be a function of my preference for closed mouthpieces. Its intonation is even better than the alto and less mouthpiece dependent.

I've never played an SDA tenor, but I look forward to doing so.

[tomonsax]

2 weeks ago i foun my ideal backup horn-(my 1st horn is the opposite: a early Super 20 with side pearls) and had the choice between 2 very good horns- a SDA previously owned by a brilliant local pro and a DA; both had a very good intation even compared with a modern Yana. The keywork wasn't much different, quite easy to get used to, when you like older horns (and haven't got the pennies for a Selmer) - only soundwise the Dynaction was darker, mellower and with softer core, that's why i took it! although it needs some adjustment...
blow the horn
Thomas

[Saxland]

I own a Dynaction tenor. It has a spread dark sound with the best intonation I have played on a tenor. It responds alot like a Keilwerth Shadow. Tone is very consistent throught out the range.

I find the Superdynaction has more resistance and a denser sound. It is very nice but does not grab my imagination.

One thing that I find in both Conns and Selmer Mark VI's, is a ring to the tone that takes more work to create with the Dynaction. I think in a blind listening test you would have trouble spotting the Dynaction, as it crosses over both tonal concepts. I would not expect the Dynaction to be considered a Selmer subsitute, but it is easily on par with Mark VI's and SBA's.

In my mind its one of the best tenor saxophones ever produced. It is very easy to change tonal concepts in a single phrase, while maintaing intonation. Conns take alot more air to do this, and Mark VI's take alot more pressure.

On a Link STM NY 5 with a 4 Zonda reed it is still freeblowing with slight resistance, with a dark tonal core that can be focused of spread depending on the airflow. With a high baffle mouthpiece like a Vandoren Jumbo Java it is a rock horn that does not need an amp.

The neck angle is a bit combersome. I use a Codera, a device that is an adjustable neck hook, so the sax is angle is comfortable.

I have yet to find a tenor that is as satisying to play.

[tomonsax]

In my mind its one of the best tenor saxophones ever produced. It is very easy to change tonal concepts in a single phrase, while maintaing intonation. Conns take alot more air to do this, and Mark VI's take alot more pressure.

The neck angle is a bit combersome. I use a Codera, a device that is an adjustable neck hook, so the sax is angle is comfortable.

I have yet to find a tenor that is as satisying to play.


Yes, very true!!! i haven' thought why i prefered the Dynaction to the M VI and a old Conn, but- see above!! and i also tried a silver SST Neck- Timo Schucht Sax Technology- a german guy who does "strange" little improvements,... but that neck only alters the sound its more brighter, and the angle feels a bit easier, but the original neck brings that nice dark full sound, so i use both for the occasion. (and still have the old Super 20)

[Yellowhorn]

The DA is to the SDA what the Zephyr is to the Super 20.

I am not putting down the DA, not having played one, but the fact that Buffet put out the SDA to compete with the Mk6 says a lot!

[Saxland]

The Dynaction was competing with the Selmer SBA . The Super Dynaction was designed to compete with the Mark VI.

Buffet Dynactions are compared to Mark VI's and SBAs because they play as well as the best Selmers.

Saxpics has a few things to say about it

http://www.saxpics.com/buffet/dynaction.htm

[tjontheroad]

I've owned one of each examples at the same time. The DA had a fatter "bark" bottom end over the SDA. More like a 10M. The SDA was more lush and even across the whole range much like a Martin. Yet both horns had a "French" vibe within. Bigger hands than mine will feel more comfy with the DA. The stretch to Bb is mighty far for average size hands like mine. The SDA has the better keywork of the two. Other than that, both vintages are very much alike. Buffets are known to be very consistent throughout their entire run of years.