Buffet Prestige Tenor Saxophone Copper Body S-1 / S-3

Description

The Buffet Prestige is a later version of the Buffet S-1 and is sometimes called the S-3. This horn is solid copper (not brass) throughout. The neck, body tube, bow, and bell are all solid copper, giving the horn a beautiful color that contrasts nicely with the brass keywork. As should be obvious if you look at details like the low C/Eb mechanism, this horn shares the same keywork as the slightly earlier S1, and it looks a lot like an S1 in other details as well. Cosmetically, this horn has lacquer over the copper and the lacquer is about 97% present, with a bit of wear on touch points and on the back of the body tube and the neck. The horn has had some dings removed from the bottom bow and back of the body tube, and it is in great structural shape now. These were minor, but copper shows every tiny ding and is quite a bit harder to work on than brass. This horn has a perfect neck and bell, and the body tube is straight and looks great.

Mechanically, this horn has good pads that are well set-up and have noyek resonators installed. This instrument was owned by a pro player before me, and he kept it in great adjustment in every respect. It feels very good under the fingers as well. It is one of those horns that was done right and shows it.

Sonically, I was very impressed by the tone that this horn puts out. I am generally a big fan of Buffet, and this horn is easily as good as the best S1’s I’ve played in the past. The tone is medium bright with a sizzle to it, with a basically round and focused core. It is a great horn for all kinds of music, but especially for a gigging saxophonist who needs a do-it-all pro horn that will stand out from the crowd. It sounds French, and people who like a Mark VI will like this as well, but it is also not a VI-copy, and contributes its own distinctive tone colors to the pallet. Intonation and ergonomics are excellent. In a week or two, I’ll have a nice S1 tenor and I can do some side-by-side recordings for anyone who is interested.

This is a great buy on a rare and beautiful, solid copper Buffet.