Buffet Super Dynaction

[wthalliii]

I've located a 1962 (S/N 9xxx) Super Dynaction being sold in a silent auction by a local charity. I wasn't able to play the horn, but they did let me inspect it, and all seems to be in order. It has perhaps 90% of the lacquer.

What's the ballpark value of this horn? I tried looking online, but I didn't find much information on value.

I've read online that these horns are very dark, but rival Mk. VI's. I'd love to hear the opinion of anyone who's played one, and especially of anyone who owns one.

It has a Brillhart 5* piece in it. That's kind of a small tip opening (75) for me, but is this a good match for this horn?

Thanks. I'd appreciate any advice.

[Hurling Frootmig]

If no one knows what they are bidding on you should be able to get it for a good price. I would think a SDA alto in really good shape would be worth about $1500. I probably wouldn't bid more than $1000 but I could be off.

That's my best guess.

[Jerry K.]

I have a '62 alto that I love and will never sell. I have owned many altos over the past 5 years and this is my #1 alto. Big dark sound, and with a fairly bright mouthpiece like a Meyer the tone can be really complex. Given that thiis is a charity and I assume the price you pay will be tax deductible, I would bid as high as $1500. Net price after the deduction would be around $1000 which is about what these horns go for.

Good Luck!

[Gandalfe]

$1500 for an SDA (a horn that played in a dark closet, most people would think is a great Selmer) in excellent condition would be a steal. But anticipate that it will need going over by a tech. It might need a repad job too and that could a couple o' hundred to the final cost.

Here's hoping you get it for less than $1000, 'cuz musicians need every break they can get.

[Gandalfe]

Did I say they... I meant "every break we can get." :)

[wthalliii]

I should clarify. I said charity, but what I should have said was thrift store. They accept donations of "things" which they then sell. Some of them are sold in silent auctions. Donations are tax deductable, but purchases like this are not. Still, even without a tax break, I'm hoping I can get this horn for significantly less than $1000. And after reading the comments posted at various places on the internet, and your comments here, I really would like to have the horn. I'm thinking it will outplay my Selmer SA-80 series I.

[MBushaw]

One thing to be aware of- the SDA has the older 'in-line' RH stack. For many players this is no problem, but for some it is. My first pro horn (1973) was a brand new SDA and I loved the sound and action (better than the new MkVI at the same store). As I've gotten older I find I can no longer play the in-line horns for any time without pain in the fingers.

[wthalliii]

One thing to be aware of- the SDA has the older 'in-line' RH stack. For many players this is no problem, but for some it is. My first pro horn (1973) was a brand new SDA and I loved the sound and action (better than the new MkVI at the same store). As I've gotten older I find I can no longer play the in-line horns for any time without pain in the fingers.
Hadn't realized that. I don't think that will bother me, though. I used to have an old Conn student horn with inline keys, and I had no problem with that.

But I do appreciate the information. Forewarned is forearmed, as the old saying goes.

[wthalliii]

Thank you all again for your help. I did get the horn. I paid $425 for it. I haven't had much time at all to play it, but it sounds good. It needs an adjustment, and has a small ding in the neck that needs fixing. It should play even better after that.