French Tradition, Modern Playability
Buffet Crampon has been making woodwind instruments since 1825, and their 400 Series tenor saxophone carries that heritage into a horn that's built to grow with serious players. Whether you're advancing through your conservatory studies or looking for a workhorse tenor that holds up night after night on the bandstand, the 400 Series is designed to meet you there.
The BC8402-4-0 comes in a striking antique brass matte finish — a brushed, unlacquered look that gives it a warmer, more vintage character compared to the lacquered version. It's the kind of horn that looks at home in any setting, from a jazz club stage to a classical recital hall.
Buffet describes the 400 Series as suited for the advanced student through the professional saxophonist, and the specs back that up. This is a saxophone with real attention to detail at every step of assembly.
Hand Engraving and Craftsmanship
Every 400 Series tenor is meticulously hand-engraved on the key cups, bell, bow, body, and neck. This isn't just decorative — it signals the level of individual attention each instrument receives during production. These saxophones are assembled for the highest level of quality and workmanship, and that care shows in how the horn feels in your hands right out of the case.
The yellow brass body pairs naturally with the antique matte finish, producing a sound that players often describe as warm and focused — well-suited for the traditional French tonal character Buffet Crampon is known for.
Keywork Designed for Confident Playing
The 400 Series features keywork that extends to high F#, giving you full access to the altissimo range that contemporary playing — especially in jazz — demands. The keys themselves use mother of pearl buttons, and the low C, B, and Bb keys are reinforced with double arms for added stability in the lower register. That means less flex, more consistent feel when you're moving through the low end.
Ribbed construction throughout the body adds rigidity without extra weight, helping the instrument hold its shape over time. Leather pads with metal resonators complete the setup, balancing responsiveness with durability.
Built for Jazz or Classical Performance
The 400 Series saxophones provide even response and intonation across all registers, along with what Buffet Crampon describes as an ideal combination of tonal qualities for jazz or classical performance. Reinforced spatula bracing and a French-influenced design make this a versatile horn — one that's comfortable in a big band chart and equally at home in a chamber music setting.
Buffet Crampon's approach here is classic French design combined with modern innovations, resulting in an instrument that plays beyond its price point and rewards committed players.
Product Features:
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Instrument type: Tenor Saxophone, key of Bb
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Body material: Yellow brass with antique matte (brushed) finish
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Engraving: Hand engraved on key cups, bell, bow, body, and neck
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Keywork: Extends to high F# for full range access
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Double arms: On low C, B, and Bb keys for improved stability and feel
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Construction: Ribbed body construction for added rigidity
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Key buttons: Mother of pearl
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Pads: Leather pads with metal resonators
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Performance range: Suited for jazz or classical performance
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Level: Advanced student through professional
Brand: Buffet Crampon
Model: 400 Series Tenor Saxophone
SKU: BC8402-4-0
Condition: New
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