[Enthusiast65]

Anyone ever played one of these, Aka Buffet Expression model, which was a Keilwerth very early SX90 stencil but with smaller pearls more like the S1?

These were stencilled by Buffet after the S1, so early or mid 1990s.

Just bought one at auction, having heard good things about them.

Would be keen to hear from folk who’ve tried them or own them.

 

[rhysonsax]

Was that the one on eBay in the US ? I spotted it with the adjustable palm keys and was interested, if that is the one.

Is it actually marked Expression or EX or just Buffet Crampon ? My alto isn't marked Expression, but my friend's is and both are obviously Keilwerth-made horns, very like the SX90.

Looking forward to hearing how it plays.

Rhys

 

[Enthusiast65]

That's the one Rhys. No model name, just the Buffet stamp.

 

[Enthusiast65]

Re: Buffet EX soprano v Buffet S1 soprano

So the Buffet Expression (EX) - a stencilled early Keilwerth SX90 I believe - has arrived, and is in pretty nice condition. There were some issues out of the box, which I thought might be down to the poor packaging it got shipped in from the US. Upon closer investigation the issues were actually down to pads that been 'seated' with a minimal amount of shellac. The type in question was similar in texture to a Beaugnier on its original factory pads (a consistency and look of tahini sauce when heated up), which made me think the pads were probably the original factory ones (domed, rivet-less metal).

Here is what I mean by minimal:

So having applied a proper amount of shellac to a few of the pads that were most obviously not perfectly sealing, and having replaced the neck cork, it was ready to have a go, next to the Buffet S1.

The EX has a slightly larger bore entry than the S1 (8.57mm vs 8.33mm) whereas the S1 has a slightly larger bell flare by a couple of mms. That says the cone is likely more pronounced on the S1 given its shorter body. The S1 is shorter than any other modern soprano I've tried, and I feel there is something unique about its body shape which perhaps lends it its distinct character. Both have quite large bore entry measurements compared with my Conn New Wonder II soprano (7.48mm).

Key work on both is very comfortable. Build quality of both is very high and both feel like solid professional horns. The S1 weighs in heavier at 1420 grams vs the EX's 1352 grams. There's no unwanted movement in either mechanism.

I played both with 2 mouthpieces - a Riffault R4 opened up to 5* and a Drake Jazz 6.

The Keilwerth has a smooth tonal quality that allows it to play warm and clean. There's a nice buzz to it and it's got plenty of power and projection when pushed. Very even across the registers. Tuning is nice and altissimo is amazingly easy with a full sound.

In contrast the S1 has more grit. It might even be a shade warmer than the Keilwerth, but it feels brighter and a bit more direct, because of that grit. There's also a grain to the S1's sound that is incredibly alluring - a touch of huskiness. The S1 delivers bottom notes smoothly and effortlessly comparatively, but that may also reflect a few more pads that will need attention on the EX.

I'm delighted to have picked up the Buffet Expression, especially at a price reflecting a poor description on eBay. It offers something else. Compared to the S1 it feels like a more modern horn, offers a cleaner sound, yet competes with the S1 for warmth and adds some tonal silkiness. It's also a little bit more spread.

Here are some pictures:

View attachment 268304

 

[rhysonsax]

Very interesting and nice pictures.

How did you find the palm keys on the Keilwerth (I've read that the tuning can be difficult) ?

I see that your S1 has the pivoting thumbhook, as does mine. How do you get on with that ?

Rhys

PS I am using a Buffet Crampon mouthpiece on my R&C soprano and loving that - it also tunes and plays well on my S1 sop.

 

[Enthusiast65]

Thanks - Palm keys are easy; tuning is moderately flexible around top C# and above but extremely good. Perhaps not as slotted as the S1's tuning but maybe the better for it? Altissimo is so easy - another area that you read about being hard on SX90s - none of it. This is my first day after getting the sax to speak freely with pad reseating, the odd bit of cork adjustment etc, so it's not like I've been working on it. It's an easy horn to pick up and adjust to.

The pivoting thumbhook on the S1 is OK, I found a position that's fairly comfortable and tightened it up in that position, so it doesn't move around and I don't notice it. The thumb hook on the Keilwerth is more comfortable.

In terms of mouthpieces on the S1, I also have a stock Buffet that came with it and that got opened up to a 7 by Ed Pillinger and that suits the S1 really well. Other mouthpieces that I like on the S1 are my old rubber Geoff Lawton (dark model), a modern Riffault, a Vandoren s35, and a Drake Jazz model. I find the majority of mouthpieces tune perfectly well on the S1, except for a few that need to on further and foul the octave key that sits right under the short cork. One of the things I like a lot about the S1 is how unfussy of mouthpiece it is generally.

On the EX it's early days still, but the piece that has just floored me on it is a resin copy of a Selmer HS in a HS2 facing made by Ed Pillinger. It does everything so easily and brings a singing vocal quality out the Keilwerth (also sounds beautiful on my New Wonder II). The Riffauilt is nice but the sound is more robust and less easy to colour, and the Drake works OK but it's a shade bright (would be good in a large space maybe).The s35 didn't work great on the EX and the Buffet stock piece I like so much on the S12 is horrible on .

Early days for the EX given how unused I am to it, but there is no doubt, the bore shapes on these 2 instruments are world's apart. They are such different instruments. Today I feel more secure on the S1 and the tilting left hand table is genius for rolling the pinky onto Bb. Tomorrow, who knows?! I do like how strong and colourful the Keilwerth is in the altissimo right up to top G...