[Brujo]

I just picked up a Super Dynaction alto that is going to get a full repad, and I’d like recommendations about what would be best choice for general all around performance. I’m not particularly familiar with the SDA sound but I love the Martin and Chu I’ve been playing. Presently the horn has the screw-on resonators and at the moment I’m inclined to try to keep them, but comments and suggestions about that are encouraged. Lacquer isn’t very good so I’m looking for it to be a player not a showpiece, but I got it for a good price ($300 USD) so I figure I can afford to put a set of quality pads on it. Question is, what would be the best choice? Any suggestions?

 

[J Dos Passos]

I play a Super Dynaction alto, and really like it a lot.

The overall sound is darker than most Selmer VIs or SA altos, imo.

I have rather standard flat plastic resonators and play a Riffault rubber mouthpiece. The mouthpiece gives me a little brightness when pushed, but overall the sound is clean and darkish.

If I was going to try to get a brighter kind of sound, I'd probably go for metal star resonators. They worked great for me on a Ref 36 tenor, so..... maybe.....

 

[tomonsax]

hello
i own 2 sda altos at the moment. one is silver and in quite original condition- i don't think it has ever had a repad. It has metal resonators on the lower pads and none on the higher. like in the attached photo
the other one was overhauled with similar pads - i like the sound- sda's are generally darker, so if the pads make a small differnce, then it can be a little punchier.

 

[DavidUK]

My 1958 SDA kept its screw in resonators when overhauled this year. Pisoni pads. Plays loud (or soft) on well set key heights - see Many Stohrer's video of the tenor set up.