Evette Schaeffer - An SDA Clone?

[Ronnie]

Hello guys, someone advised me of the Italian Evette's so I'm backing off that one. But the very same day I managed to swing by at another seller's house to check another Evette (this time with a Schaeffer next to it and nope, it's not Italian but French). The moment she opened the case, my corazon started pumping fast, not only because of the lavish engraving but more on the key arrangement - it bears striking resemblance to the infamous SDA, I wanted to try it but I forgot my favorite mouthpiece (duh!) and the original MPC was discarded by this charming lady's husband before he passed away. No one in her family wants to learn the sax to she has to sell it (at a price so low she just literally is giving it away). She just wanted to hear it again for one last time before I take it home - so I will have to play her favorite piece, "Moonlight In Vermont" by Getz (OH, MY GOD!! I'm not an expert yet but It's worth trying) she said her husband used to play that song for her. I just hope I'll make her happy again, at least for a moment. So guys, please sound off!!! :(

[singlereed]

If you look at Saxpics site, I think he mentions the S2 having been sold under the Evette brand. I have handled an S2 and it was a lower budget horn than the SDA or the S1, but it is French made and a quality horn. I am not saying that is what you have, but its a possibility.

Most recently, the Evette is the Buffet student line, these days made in China. If it actually says 'Evette & Schaeffer' then it is probably an earlier horn, again look at Saxpics for reference, it seems to be the only useful source. The only E&S I have encountered was an early 20th century one and whilst well-made, was not really suitable for modern playing - it had two octave keys for a start!

[Pete]

Well, several things:

* The Evette "Master Model" (this is engraved on the horn's body) is supposed to be an exact clone of the SDA.
* No one has been able to show me a picture of an Evette-Schaeffer horn stamped "Made in Italy", so I really can't conclude, without Buffet's say-so, that they had horns made in Italy.
* The S2 is an intermediate model that was produced and available only in Europe. It's also a somewhat high pitch horn of A=442hz.
* Other Evette-Schaeffer horns produced at approximately the same time as the late SDA and S1 are generally regarded as fairly decent student/intermediate horns. The only obvious difference between the E-S and Buffet of this period is that the bell-to-body brace has a flower stamped on it, not the "BC" logo.
* The student/intermediate Evettes don't have that elaborate of engraving. You may be looking at an older professional horn. You can check out my website for pictures, so you can compare.
* Please don't cross-post (i.e. post the same thing in two places). It's against forum rules.

... so check out www.saxpics.com/buffet

Take care!

[stitch]

OK, so what about this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2544492460&ssPageName= ADME:B:EOAB:UK:6?

Says master not master model, and the laquer/nickel combination says student, but the Made in W Germany says Keilwerth(?)

[Ronnie]

Hi, I think I can go back and take some pictures of that newer Evette. The body to bell brace shows a flower, and the back is stamped made in Italy. Mr. moderator, let me know if this is of interest to you and our readers, and I will take the pictures.

[Ronnie]

I checked the pics and - voila! It was there. Very similar to SDA. That website is awesome! I can't wait for Saturday (I got to practice that piece the lady requested me to play, though, and bring my old trusty Selmer D MPC this time). Mr. Moderator, whoever developed that site is a genius!