Schaeffer sax recommendation?

[Sirdoug]

A kid's got a Schaeffer sax for sale--pretty cheap, his mom says it's pretty old but in good shape. Looking to buy it for my nephew who's taking lessons. Never heard of this brand. Any info?

Jeff Lindholm

[mostly alto guy]

Would that be Evette Schaeffer? If so, it would have been made by Buffet Crampon et Cie, of Paris. Indeed, it is old if it carries the Evette Schaeffer name, probably 60-80 years. There were some later ones, from the 50s and 60's (with both bell keys on the player's right side as opposed to the earlier split design), and while these seem like reasonably ok players, they don't have the appeal of their older namesakes. Also, beware of current production horns bearing the name Buffet Crampon "Evette" (sans Schaeffer), as these are cheaply made albeit very good looking Asian horns that a serious student will quickly outgrow.

While somewhat quirky and difficult to keep adjusted, these E-S horns are very fine and very collectible instruments. Maybe the sweetest-sounding saxes ever made, especially for classical work. I'd have to say not a great choice for a beginner due to being, shall we say, high strung and high maintenance. Those of us who actually play old Evette Schaeffers are a surly lot, not to be trifled with.

A beginner would be better off with a Yamaha 23 (also known in some parts of the world as the 25 or 275), the gold standard beginner's sax.

As a player and collector of E-S/Buffet Crampon saxes, I'd be interested to know exactly what your friend has there.

[Sirdoug]

It says Evette Scheffer and Paris, France on the bell, which is engraved with flowers and has both bell keys on the right side. Serial number is 7879. Brass with nickel keys. So probably from the 60s or so. Brass is scratched up but no dents, just a very few dings. The bottom back key guard is knocked off, so I'll have to replace that. Bought it for $50!

Why do you say that they are quirky and hard to keep adjusted? What goes wrong? What's to adjust? Do the keys get knocked out of place or what? Not sure. Thanks.

Jeff Lindholm

[mostly alto guy]

The one you described won't be so quirky, as its newer vintage is undoubtedly based on Buffet Crampon's Series VII or VIII (both also known as the 18-20) or even the later Dynaction or Super Dynaction. These horns are solidly built and play exceptionally well when properly set up. Easily worth $50.

Congratulations on what is probably a steal. Should make a good student horn. Have a good tech look it over and get it in playable shape but not replace any pads unless they're trashed. Once it does prove itself, have the tech advise you regarding a full repad. Maybe it won't need it, but I'm betting it does. Such a repad can be expensive, so think carefully before you dive in.

[Sirdoug]

Mr. M.A. Guy:

Thanks for the added info on the horn. Glad it's not too quirky. It seems to play in turn with itself pretty well and no real noticable bad notes. Going to bring it in to my trusted tech who redid my great old Elkhart silver bari to get the key guard soldered back on and have him go over it a bit. Pads look pretty soft and all there to me. Hope they're OK so I can turn it over to Nephew Daniel without too much more expense. But also want to make sure he's got a horn to learn on that's decent--don't want to make it hard on him to early on and get him discouraged. Think it's gonna work out, though.

Thanks.

Jeff Lindholm

[Sirdoug]

I've decided the horn is too beat up for me to fix up. I paid $50 for it without considering what it might take to fix it up. The bottom rear key guard is knocked off. Some of the posts are loose and need to be resoldered. Worse, the octave key lever--which sticks up from the top of the barrel, was broken off. The student who had the horn didn't put the plug back into the top of the barrel, and the lever got bent off. And the horn was stored in a basement or something, so most of the pads have mold on them. Quoted at $300 to $400 for repairs. Not worth it in my book. But I am still stuck with the horn. Live and learn.

Jeff Lindholm