Tech/maintenance SHWoodwind Updates

[Stephen Howard]

Another review goes live!
This time it's the rather rare Buffet Super Dynaction soprano. Turned out to be quite a surprising little horn...

Buffet Super Dynaction soprano saxophone review

A workbench review of the Buffet Super Dynaction soprono sax

www.shwoodwind.co.uk

 

[rhysonsax]

Another review goes live!
This time it's the rather rare Buffet Super Dynaction soprano. Turned out to be quite a surprising little horn...

Buffet Super Dynaction soprano saxophone review

A workbench review of the Buffet Super Dynaction soprono sax

www.shwoodwind.co.uk

View attachment 22007

Interesting review.

You say "I really don't believe I've ever seen one before - or at least if I have, I've long since forgotten about it." Quite a few years ago you worked on my 1977 S1 Anniversary soprano in silver plate with gold springs, moving the RH thumb hook and also making a bespoke strap ring that fits in the lyre holder round the back. I think that S1 is very similar to the SDA as it has the same style pinky keys and possibly the same body tube.

I remember that you found one tone hole one mine (possibly the E ??) that was oval rather than circular by design, which is an interesting feature.

The review also says "I'd like to say that I'll keep my eye open for it on other examples - but as SDA sopranos are very few and far between it might be quite some time before I see another one...." I could always bring my Silver S1 down for a visit. I think mine has a sweet, singing tone especially with its Buffet Crampon mouthpiece.

I remember that the soprano saxophonist of the Fairer Sax (Anne-Louise). who I used to know a bit in the mid 1980s, played a Buffet. Probably quite a few saxophonists from the Music Colleges did. And didn't John Dankworth play a Buffet soprano to go with his Buffet alto and Buffet clarinet ?

Rhys

 

[Stephen Howard]

I remember the S1 - it was in 2004. Long time ago now!

I know Buffets used to popular with the classicists - and I've seen a few down the years, but this was the first SDA sop I've ever seen. I'd be surprised if the S1 had the same body tube - and I guess a quick and dirty test would be to measure the diameter of the bell. I reckon it'll be bigger.

Happy to admit that it completely took me by surprise - and you know my feelings on Buffet saxes!
Spent a very pleasant hour or so with the client discussing the pros and cons - and listening to him tearing around on it!
Never heard anyone play a Buffet like that!

 

[Ivan]

It will be a very emotional moment when I have to replace it

Is this to do with the manner of its demise?

Do you anticipate the electrics catching fire or the gaskets bursting and flooding your parquet floor?

 

[greenstripe]

Is this to do with the manner of its demise?

Do you anticipate the electrics catching fire or the gaskets bursting and flooding your parquet floor?

It was a tongue in cheek reply to Stephen's comment:

"...but there's an extra dimension with horns. Unlike, say, buying a washing machine there's an element of personal/emotional choice involved"

 

[Ivan]

It was a tongue in cheek reply to Stephen's comment

I just repaired my dishwasher at significant emotional cost. I had to disassemble it to replace the sump, reassemble, after three washes realise the water not pumping, disembowel the machine once more to find a carelessly overlooked piece of kitchen towel blocking the pump, reassemble

Now the door creeks, but I've lost the will...

 

[Vetinari]

but I've lost the will...

Check in the pump ,,,,,

 

[PigSquealer]

Now the door creeks, but I've lost the will...

Time to give it a big loving touch with a cudgel !

 

[Ivan]

Time to give it a big loving touch with a cudgel !

That would've been my next move, but t'other half 'encouraged' me last night to set to and sort the problem... Squeak-free we now are

 

[Colin the Bear]

For squeaks:
Wd40,
3 in one,
Mousetrap.

 

[rhysonsax]

I know Buffets used to popular with the classicists - and I've seen a few down the years, but this was the first SDA sop I've ever seen. I'd be surprised if the S1 had the same body tube - and I guess a quick and dirty test would be to measure the diameter of the bell. I reckon it'll be bigger.

Just got my S1 down from the loft. The diameter across the bell flare is about 87mm. And I noticed that it doesn't go fully on to the Hercules peg for straight sopranos. I wonder how that compares with the SDA you had in.

A quick play with its own BC mouthpiece and a Drake Son of Slant confirmed that it has a big sound, decent tuning but the ergonomics of the RH aren't as comfortable for me as my R&C Saxello.

Rhys

 

[MMM]

Just got my S1 down from the loft. The diameter across the bell flare is about 87mm. And I noticed that it doesn't go fully on to the Hercules peg for straight sopranos. I wonder how that compares with the SDA you had in.

A quick play with its own BC mouthpiece and a Drake Son of Slant confirmed that it has a big sound, decent tuning but the ergonomics of the RH aren't as comfortable for me as my R&C Saxello.

Rhys

Does it have the inline or offset toneholes?

 

[Stephen Howard]

Just got my S1 down from the loft. The diameter across the bell flare is about 87mm. And I noticed that it doesn't go fully on to the Hercules peg for straight sopranos. I wonder how that compares with the SDA you had in.

The SDA was 80mm across the bell flare, so I'd say it has a very slightly narrower bore.

 

[rhysonsax]

The SDA was 80mm across the bell flare, so I'd say it has a very slightly narrower bore.

Presumably that's across to the outside of the metal rim.

Marten Postma has some interesting measurements for multiple bore profiles of saxophones (SAT and B). The soprano ones include a very old (1876) Buffet Crampon, a BC S1, old Adolphe Sax (senior), various Selmers, Buescher, Conn, SML, Yanagisawa etc. The graphs each use their own zero point so take care in reading them and drawing conclusions.

Look at - M. Postma :::: saxophones, mouthpieces & acoustics and then navigate to Measurements > Bore Profiles > Soprano

Rhys

 

[Stephen Howard]

Presumably that's across to the outside of the metal rim.

Yep.

 

[rhysonsax]

Does it have the inline or offset toneholes?

Inline.

It also has the high F# key with no front F that @Stephen Howard commented on for the SDA.

Rhys

 

[Stephen Howard]

A new entry for the Benchlife Blog! The Chu Berry TJ RAW.

Following on from the hideously botched TJ RAW, I've detailed the process of fixing the horn and making a new tenon sleeve for the Chu Berry crook.
Came out quite nice, though I'm on the fence as to whether it's a worthwhile mod...

A rolling blog of everyday life on and around the workbench

An informal peek at what goes on in the SHWoodwind workshop

www.shwoodwind.co.uk

 

[Stephen Howard]

Another update.

The Lupifaro Platinum baritone - and why I think I've seen it before...twice.

Lupifaro Platinum baritone sax overview

A comparison of the Lupifaro Platinum baritone sax with other brands

www.shwoodwind.co.uk

 

[rhysonsax]

Something about the low Bb baritone with a large bell looks nice - much better than a low A. But I wouldn't pay £7k for the Lupifaro, especially not when its cousins are so much cheaper.

Rhys

 

[Stephen Howard]

Something about the low Bb baritone with a large bell looks nice - much better than a low A. But I wouldn't pay £7k for the Lupifaro, especially not when its cousins are so much cheaper.

Rhys

I know what you mean - they do look rather more elegant.