Buffet 100 Series Comparison
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I have a Buffet 100 alto and think it';s a better built horn than even Yamaha, which makes it far better than the others on your list. In terms of sound, it';s on the darker side. Bundy is the worst of the lot in terms of quality, but the best in terms of sound, to my ears at least.
I paid less than $300 for my Buffet which was as absolute steal. I would not hesitate to pick it over Yamaha if the price was the same.
I paid less than $300 for my Buffet which was as absolute steal. I would not hesitate to pick it over Yamaha if the price was the same.
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Good horns. Having serviced and refurbished a half-dozen at this point...I would take a 100 over a YAS 23/25/275/280 any day.
Sounds better. Built well. Slicker under the fingers. No signs of any of the usual red flag aspects of cheap asian horns.
I would also say a Jupe is the equal of the Yama student horns. I suppose I'd take the 100 over the Jupes because tonally, the 100's are a bit richer-sounding. Tonally, the Jupes sound as good as a Yama. But the Buffet has a slight leg up on both.
When you talk about Bundy, specify ? A I or II ? The I is a basic second-shelf vintage horn....sounds great, built really well, but ergos/key response not too slick (but certainly navigable OK).
The II is sort of the same, but they attempted 'modern' keywork, which was only a partial success - IMHO didn't really 'improve' anything over the I's feel...just changed it a bit.
Beaugnier...again, what are we talking ? Something like a Vito 37 ? or a Duke ? They vary.
Generally a better horn feel/response-wise than the Bundys.
I like how most Beaugniers feel, their keywork is responsive and comfy. But some folks would insist on modern keywork (although if you are a beginner it is sort of a moot point - a vintage horn with good action/key design is no 'worse' than a modern one, ergonomically).
They also have a lotta Mojo as far as sound character and one's ability to flex notes and tonality; while most modern horns are designed more straight-arrow, sonically.
So....on the list you provided, a 100 is towards the top for sure, but depends somewhat on what sort of horn character you are inclined towards. If you 'don't know how to answer that yet', then a 100 would be a safe bet.
Also, remember....your decision may be influenced somewhat by the condition of each horn. One in fully, recently serviced shape (and guaranteed to be by seller) is gonna play better than one where the seller says something like "yeah, it plays OK" and is only willing to sell as-is, no warranty nor guarantee.
So a freshly-serviced, clean Bundy I in good tack....is a better $350 buy than a YAS 23 which 'plays OK' but hasn't been serviced in a few years....
Sounds better. Built well. Slicker under the fingers. No signs of any of the usual red flag aspects of cheap asian horns.
I would also say a Jupe is the equal of the Yama student horns. I suppose I'd take the 100 over the Jupes because tonally, the 100's are a bit richer-sounding. Tonally, the Jupes sound as good as a Yama. But the Buffet has a slight leg up on both.
When you talk about Bundy, specify ? A I or II ? The I is a basic second-shelf vintage horn....sounds great, built really well, but ergos/key response not too slick (but certainly navigable OK).
The II is sort of the same, but they attempted 'modern' keywork, which was only a partial success - IMHO didn't really 'improve' anything over the I's feel...just changed it a bit.
Beaugnier...again, what are we talking ? Something like a Vito 37 ? or a Duke ? They vary.
Generally a better horn feel/response-wise than the Bundys.
I like how most Beaugniers feel, their keywork is responsive and comfy. But some folks would insist on modern keywork (although if you are a beginner it is sort of a moot point - a vintage horn with good action/key design is no 'worse' than a modern one, ergonomically).
They also have a lotta Mojo as far as sound character and one's ability to flex notes and tonality; while most modern horns are designed more straight-arrow, sonically.
So....on the list you provided, a 100 is towards the top for sure, but depends somewhat on what sort of horn character you are inclined towards. If you 'don't know how to answer that yet', then a 100 would be a safe bet.
Also, remember....your decision may be influenced somewhat by the condition of each horn. One in fully, recently serviced shape (and guaranteed to be by seller) is gonna play better than one where the seller says something like "yeah, it plays OK" and is only willing to sell as-is, no warranty nor guarantee.
So a freshly-serviced, clean Bundy I in good tack....is a better $350 buy than a YAS 23 which 'plays OK' but hasn't been serviced in a few years....
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Re: Beaugnier. I don't know the 37s but if you can find a 38 Vito Duke, particularly with the curved bell brace, I think it might be a better instrument. The one I had was among the best playing horns I've owned. I guess one could include Noblet as well.
I have a Buffet 400 tenor and even after being smashed up a bit, it reveals how solidly built it is. AFIK, the 100 is the same horn without the frills.
All better instruments than the student Yamaha or Bundy.
I have a Buffet 400 tenor and even after being smashed up a bit, it reveals how solidly built it is. AFIK, the 100 is the same horn without the frills.
All better instruments than the student Yamaha or Bundy.
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Yes that was my point too, although I didn't express it clearly.
The top-shelf Beaugnier made horns are in an upper echelon....so again if it IS something like a 38 or a Duke, or a Noblet which was above the Standard model, that'd be an exemplary horn.
The 37's I mentioned were the workhorses, no-frills but solid in every respect....and fall into the price range I am assuming the OP is discussing ($300-500ish).
Thank you.
I was wondering where it fits on the Beginner - Intermediate - Pro sliding scale and suggested the "student" instruments that have quality track-records.
As for mentioning Beaugnier, I was thinking about both the Model 37 and the Model 38. As I expected, the response for those appears to depend on the model.
I was wondering where it fits on the Beginner - Intermediate - Pro sliding scale and suggested the "student" instruments that have quality track-records.
As for mentioning Beaugnier, I was thinking about both the Model 37 and the Model 38. As I expected, the response for those appears to depend on the model.
I have a Beaugnier bass, and it's solidly at the low end of the student range. From the looks of the 37 and 38, they appear the same - nickel keys, cheap springs (not steel needle springs), few adjustments, low end features and quality all the way around. Intonation and tone is nothing to write home about. The seem to have a great reputation, but from the experience I've had with them, I've not been that impressed.
I assume since you already have much better horns in you're signature, you're asking for recommendations for a student?
I'd rank them - Buffet, Yamaha, Jupiter, and a tie for Beaugnier and Bundy. Any of them would serve a student well. I've played Buffet and Yamaha on many "pro" gigs. They have the features and quality you'd expect in a pro horn.
I assume since you already have much better horns in you're signature, you're asking for recommendations for a student?
I'd rank them - Buffet, Yamaha, Jupiter, and a tie for Beaugnier and Bundy. Any of them would serve a student well. I've played Buffet and Yamaha on many "pro" gigs. They have the features and quality you'd expect in a pro horn.
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The Beaugnier Duke is a pro horn. That appears to be the model 38. Nothing cheap about it.
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