Ca. 1969 Buffet Super Dynaction (SDA) Tenor Saxophone Overhauled

1969 Buffet Crampon Super Dynaction (SDA) B Flat Tenor Saxophone. I bought this tenor sax (serial #16, xxx) three years ago from the Director of a Jazz Studies program at a liberal arts college in the northeast.

The horn was from his personal collection, and when I asked him about the sound, he said it was nearly indistinguishable from his 56, xxx Selmer Mark VI tenor. He sent me sound clips to illustrate, and I agreed with his assessment. The sound is deep, dark and complex, and stays full into the palm key notes. Here is what Paul's overhaul includes. Saxophone overhaul includes swedging of all keys, re-fitting pivot screws, leveling of tone holes, springs as needed, complete cleaning of instrument and neck cork.

An extra charge is added if saxophone needs to be completely re-sprung. The only springs used are blue needle springs. At my request, he also personally lowered the neck strap ring so that, in his words, it was perfectly balanced for the horn. Like Conn 10M tenors, the neck strap rings on these SDAs were originally designed for a seated player.

So if you stood while playing and let the horn hang from the strap, the mouthpiece could swing back and hit you in the face. After Paul finished and play tested this tenor, he described it as a fantastic Buffet SDA. I really love the sound and response of this horn.

It is the closest I have come to the sound of a 5-digit Selmer Mark VI -- but for a lot less. I have owned three of these SDA tenors over the years, and this is the best one by far.

It also comes with its original wooden/cork Buffet Crampon end cap. I will be sad to see this one go, but I know it will make someone very happy.

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