SDA Alto - I'm new here.

[mikestefano2001]

Just got my 1960 SDA Alto - what a great horn! I have been playing a Yamaha Yas 23 as my first sax and it's O.K., actually a really good student horn. I bought the SDA after trying it and a bunch of Selmers and I found it played as well, sounded as good, felt sturdier (although that's probably just because I'd made up my mind to buy it) and was 1/3 the price! Are you aware of any pros who play this horn? I heard Albert Ayler did, but never substantiated it. Seems like there should be some of them in the hands of professionals - they can't all be using Selmers.

Mike

[Jerry K.]

Not a Pro but I play and love my 62 SDA - great horn with a really nice dark tone!

[Attila]

Hi Mike!
Art Pepper on the Living Legend (1975) playes SDA. He is talking about the Buffet in the notes but...the picture on the back is a Buffet but on the front I would say, that´s a MarkVI. On the other hand, on the next LP, on The Trip (1976), he is talking about Selmer but the foto on the back showes an SDA. Anyway his soud is different. My conclusion is that he played an SDA on the Living Legend and a MarkVI on The Trip. I prefer his sound on the Living Legend whatsoever. Get them and listen to them, I may hear something what is not neccesery there...

A happy owner of a beautiful Buescher True Tone (1925), Attila

[Russ]

Congrats on your purchase Mike.

I, like you, have just taken delivery of an SDA Alto from '71 and I am honoured to own it. Nice to know others feel the same way.

The craftmanship wrapped up in the SDA puts my modern Sop and Tenor horns to shame !!

Enjoy.

Regards.

[Kritavi]

Albert Ayler did play super dynactions, good photos can be seen on the original lp cover of Live in Greenwich Village or Love Cry.

[1ngram]

Look at the covers of the excellent "Back to the Tracks" or "The Waiting Game" or "Minor Move" or at the photos of Tina and Jackie McLean inside the CD slip sheet for Jackie's Bag and you will see that Brooks played a Buffet in 1961 but I cant determine whether it is a Dynaction or a 18-20. Great music though and shows that lyrical bop can be played on the Buffet. Now if someone could just figure out what mouthpiece he is using . . . . . .

[AltoRedux]

I've also joined the ranks. Bought a '58 SDA Alto on Friday. Big change from my S20. the sound is much warmer and more complex? (I hate trying to describe the sound of a sax in words). Came with a B-C mouthpiece from about the same vintage, I assume, which really makes it sound warm and mellow compared to playing with my Vandoren A6. The only thing is the tip opening is really small - feels like I could close it up if I started to really blow.

Bought it when I was on vacation so I haven't had a real chance to play it. Going to throw the kids off the computer tonight and play it with BIAB, then take it to rehearsal tomorrow and see what the band thinks.

At least one important audience likes it. My wife thinks it sounds much nicer than the S20, so that should mean less complaints about practicing.

[mikestefano2001]

congrats on buying a great horn. I just love mine. Not many around Ontario that I've seen (I'm in Kingston).

Mike

[TheChristianSax]

AltoRedux,

You are really going to enjoy that sax, especially when you find the mouthpiece that you like. As I have posted before, I have a 1960 SDA and use a vintage Berg Larsen 90/0. I have had it for about 9 months and I love it to death! Keep us updated.

[AltoRedux]

Well I took the SDA to band practice last night. After three tunes nobody had said anything, so I finally had to say how does my new sax sound? Mind you the Bass player was raving about his new strings and the difference they made and I couldn't tell, so maybe it was a bit much to expect people to say hey! whats that sound. At the end of the night three of the guys independently said that they noticed I was much more in tune than normally. :oops:

Interestingly, non-musicians seem to notice the change (and prefer it). Last night, the bass players wife (not a musician) said she thought the sound was sweeter and more focused, and, I think, 'in tune',although she was having trouble getting the concept across.

I'm going to a lesson in a hour so we'll see what my teacher thinks.

Mike, I actually bought the horn on vacation in Victoria from The Brass and Woodwind Shop. They were telling me that they've sold a few to the kids at UVic. I'm assuming because they're a cheaper alternative to Selmers for Students. They threw in the teensiest little gig bag for it, so it would look unobtrusive when I carried it onto the plane.

Mike, are you playing around Kingston? I go down a lot cause my boats in Bath.

[mikestefano2001]

When I do play in Kingston, I play guitar (Geoff McKay and the Comfort Boys)- I'll probably be gigging at least one night during our Bluesfest at the end of August.. Sax gets played in my basement for now. I bought a B&S 2001 Tenor and a Chu alto from Brass and Woodwind in BC. Don and Susan are great to deal with. I saw yours on their website - nice.

Mike

[beryllium]

Welcome to the Buffet family, Mike.
I own a '64 SDA alto and LOVE it! I've been playing it for 9 years (I am a teenager still, so that's a long time in my lifespan) and can't get enough of the dark, rich tones. I hope you enjoy your sax as much as I do mine! Happy playing!