Extra-Clean vintage Buffet-Crampon pro-model alto Saxophone; serial #15,263  (1968)
Very clean and straight original example, key pearls still sharp, no pull-down to the neck.
 
The pads/corks all new, 100% new from our workshop in Wichita.
 
This saxophone has 95% or a bit more, of the original lacquer.
 
Good example, clean and straight, terrific player, top recommendation!
 
Set includes: Very Clean original Lifton (USA) case, original Buffet C2 French  Mouthpiece.
***
Long story again...
 
One of the partners of  our company joined us in 1955.  Harry Burgess.  Fine fellow who was a killer alto and baritone player, worked with the Norman Lee Big Band for decades and, before he joined us, he did repairs in New York City for Carl Fischer Musical Instrument Co.   Fischer was the sole US importer for Buffet clarinets and saxes.  Harry's job was to check over the clarinets and saxes that came from Paris, give them his kiss of approval and then send them out to the dealers.
 
Which means he knew a great deal about saxophones and was the first to tell me about the "Super Dynaction" R-66 model altos that Buffet build.  First one I ever saw was in our shop (the shop I've owned since 1963) more than 65 years ago.
 
Back in those days the big seller in pro saxes was Selmer-Paris, of course.   Buffet's French saxes were a little less expensive and, for some players, the bestest of the best.
 
So this week I've been thinking about the past history of the SD models and who actually played them.  No, not everybody wanted a Mark Six Selmer.
 
I've located internet photos of the following players who actually used a Buffet alto.  Don't take my word for it, do a Google search and you'll believe me.
 
Daniel Deffayet (1922 - 2002).  I found a 1962 film clip of an interview he made for French (Belgian?) TV.  Man, I'd give my left ear-lobe if I could sound anywhere near like this guy.  Beautiful singing voice....playing a Buffet SD model.
 
Denis Bordot.  I found info about the "Bordot Sax Quartet", a recording showing pix of all the players.  ALL of them using Buffet SD saxes.  I bought a used Selmer bass from this fellow, some years ago, shlepped it back to the States.  I did ask if there were truly pro players who used Buffet saxes and he swore it was true.   Easy name for me to remember, of course.  I've not heard from him for years, recall that he was married to an absolutely gorgeous lady.  As, for that matter, so am I.
 
Francis Daneels (1921 - 2018).  Belgian concert artist who, so I've been told, always used a Buffet SD alto.
 
John Giordano, yes the same guy who was the conductor of the Ft. Worth orchestra for many years. When knew him, decades ago, he was teaching at North Texas State, had recently returned from a year's study in Belgium. "They wouldn't let me play my Mark Six," he told me.  "Had to buy a Buffet SD alto".   Hmm... I wonder if he's still got it...
 
And Vincent J. Abato. "Jimmy" Abato.  Was at a lunch with a couple of guys from Fischer, years and years ago, sat right next to Jimmy.  Met Opera Orchestra, lead alto with Miller.  Same fellow..  "You really use a Buffet alto?" I asked. "I alternate between Buffet and Selmer.  But I really like the way the SB models perform." 
 
Read enough?  Well you've got to hear about the poor decision (my opinion) that Marty Tolchin's boys made in the late sixties.  Marty gradually acquired control of Buffet-Crampon and decided he was going to "improve"  the Buffet SD model saxes. Ergo the "S1" and "S2".  I thought, still think, it was an error.  Workmanship sometimes a bit shoddy, goofy rocker keys for the sides and pinkies.  I didn't the new models (why didn't he keep manufacturing the SD's that were superior?) and I still do not. 
 
All moot now: Buffet was taken over by Boosey in 1980 and that was that.  Somebody want to buy my 600-some shares?
***
 
But the Super-Dynaction alto I've posted today is a superb player, comparable to, arguably better than, ANY other alto ever made.  And it's not even expensive!
 
WRITE me again if you're interested in my totally opinionated advice about saxes.  And if you find errors in my postings, please tell me, 'cause I sometimes make mistakes.  Made on in 1962, but let's not talk about that...
 
Respectfully,
GR
 
HG