Sax on the Web Forum

Keilwerth Saxophones / Keilwerth vs. Selmer

John
User ID: 1293074 Nov 8th 5:42 AM
Does anyone have any thoughts about which is a better horn, the Keilwerth SX90 and SX90R, or the Selmer Super Action 80 Series 3? Thanks.

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Nov 8th 5:51 AM
On which sax? Alto, Tenor or Sop .

stevew
User ID: 8868883 Nov 8th 6:33 AM
They are very different. On alto I like, and own both. The tenor JKs are great, I don't care for the Serie III tenors myself.

There is little practical difference between the SX90R and SX90 (soldered tone holes to be exact, they stick more but give longe pad life and some say the sound is darker - can't hear it myself). The Selmer III is a classy horn, makes a good French classical sound, but with the right set-up will rip it up in any setting. The JK has more weight to the sound.

Both have very good ergonomics, though they do feel very different. You will have to judge which you prefer.

Have a look at Jason Dumars' article on 'what is the best sax' for some balanced views, and also look at the threads here.

John
User ID: 1293074 Nov 8th 4:58 PM
Tenor sax. Thanks

Mitch A
User ID: 2226594 Nov 8th 5:57 PM
I compared tenor SX-90R and Series III several years ago. I chose the KW, but would have been happy with the III if the KW didn't exist. Very big bottom end and screams w/ a high baffle mpc. The III has a sweeter top end, but didn't feel as comfortable in my large hands. Had a look at the Ref horns this summer. I'd choose the Ref 36 over a III, but still not over my SX-90R.

greenhorn
User ID: 8088533 Nov 9th 1:58 AM
Mitch,

Just curious to know what high baffle mpc are you using on your KW.

Mike S.
User ID: 1341734 Nov 9th 10:35 AM
I just purchased a Selmer ref 36 after some pretty heavy comparison shoping/playing of the top horns available. I can say that the Keilwerth was just about even in quality, dynamics, tuning, workmanship, etc. with the best Selmers, including the series 3 models, and in better in a few points. In many ways the tone color and volume was, indeed bigger and better with the Keilwerth, but I fell in love with a particular ref 36 I tested and went with that model. Especially if you are not able/willing to shell out the money for the Selmers, I wouldn't think twice about getting a Keilwerth- I was VERY impressed with them and will doubtless buy one after I get a chance to compare with the new UNISON Steve Goodson model, and the cash becomes availble.

Txsaxkat
User ID: 9753653 Nov 9th 6:40 PM
I love my jk sx90r tenor but had a the martin tenor for a while and got spoiled on the sweet tone it had and noe the top end on the jk is just too bright for me.I will go for another the martin when the cash is in hand!

Anything brighter than a link is too much!

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Nov 9th 7:31 PM
I would think you would find the JK to be more useful as an all round horn for a variety of musical style than a Selmer horn. In the end you have to like the sound of the horn you're playing so this means play test them both, try more than one example of each. Once you have done this, everything should be clearer in you r own mind an dyou will then be able to make an educated decision.

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Nov 10th 1:55 AM
Can't make a direct comparison, but I do have SX90R tenor and alto (which I chose over a Ser II alto a while back) and a Serie III soprano. All great horns, and all well adjusted. Still, I find the Selmer to be fussier, harder to "like" than the JKs. Maybe that's just because it's a sop and I don't play it that much, but I don't think so. Not entirely anyway. I enjoy playing my JKs, and I play my Selmer when I play soprano.

I've played JK sops, and they are the bomb for mid range and low end. I had more trouble getting them to speak cleanly up high, but maybe that was just me.

Bootman has it right--go play a bunch of both models (I spent a morning and afternoon deciding among four SX90R tenors), but unless you're dead set on having one or the other, don't stop there. Try Yani and Yamaha, Guardala and Borgani, Cannonball, Unison, even the heavily panned Asian "clones", and if "new" doesn't matter, try as many vintage, (i.e., "experienced") horns as you can find.

In the horn buying process, don't pass on a chance to have a really good play test with a horn, ever. Some of us play horns we never expected to like.

Mitch A
User ID: 2226594 Nov 10th 1:39 PM
Greenhorn, I alternate between a 50's Meyer Bros 6M, and three Ponzols, a .100 II-V-I, a .110 ML and a M2. The .100 I-V-I is my favorite, with Fibracell MS.

John User ID: 1293074	Nov 8th 5:42 AM Does anyone have any thoughts about which is a better horn, the Keilwerth SX90 and SX90R, or the Selmer Super Action 80 Series 3? Thanks.
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Nov 8th 5:51 AM On which sax? Alto, Tenor or Sop .
stevew User ID: 8868883	Nov 8th 6:33 AM They are very different. On alto I like, and own both. The tenor JKs are great, I don't care for the Serie III tenors myself. There is little practical difference between the SX90R and SX90 (soldered tone holes to be exact, they stick more but give longe pad life and some say the sound is darker - can't hear it myself). The Selmer III is a classy horn, makes a good French classical sound, but with the right set-up will rip it up in any setting. The JK has more weight to the sound. Both have very good ergonomics, though they do feel very different. You will have to judge which you prefer. Have a look at Jason Dumars' article on 'what is the best sax' for some balanced views, and also look at the threads here.
John User ID: 1293074	Nov 8th 4:58 PM Tenor sax. Thanks
Mitch A User ID: 2226594	Nov 8th 5:57 PM I compared tenor SX-90R and Series III several years ago. I chose the KW, but would have been happy with the III if the KW didn't exist. Very big bottom end and screams w/ a high baffle mpc. The III has a sweeter top end, but didn't feel as comfortable in my large hands. Had a look at the Ref horns this summer. I'd choose the Ref 36 over a III, but still not over my SX-90R.
greenhorn User ID: 8088533	Nov 9th 1:58 AM Mitch, Just curious to know what high baffle mpc are you using on your KW.
Mike S. User ID: 1341734	Nov 9th 10:35 AM I just purchased a Selmer ref 36 after some pretty heavy comparison shoping/playing of the top horns available. I can say that the Keilwerth was just about even in quality, dynamics, tuning, workmanship, etc. with the best Selmers, including the series 3 models, and in better in a few points. In many ways the tone color and volume was, indeed bigger and better with the Keilwerth, but I fell in love with a particular ref 36 I tested and went with that model. Especially if you are not able/willing to shell out the money for the Selmers, I wouldn't think twice about getting a Keilwerth- I was VERY impressed with them and will doubtless buy one after I get a chance to compare with the new UNISON Steve Goodson model, and the cash becomes availble.
Txsaxkat User ID: 9753653	Nov 9th 6:40 PM I love my jk sx90r tenor but had a the martin tenor for a while and got spoiled on the sweet tone it had and noe the top end on the jk is just too bright for me.I will go for another the martin when the cash is in hand! Anything brighter than a link is too much!
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Nov 9th 7:31 PM I would think you would find the JK to be more useful as an all round horn for a variety of musical style than a Selmer horn. In the end you have to like the sound of the horn you're playing so this means play test them both, try more than one example of each. Once you have done this, everything should be clearer in you r own mind an dyou will then be able to make an educated decision.
mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Nov 10th 1:55 AM Can't make a direct comparison, but I do have SX90R tenor and alto (which I chose over a Ser II alto a while back) and a Serie III soprano. All great horns, and all well adjusted. Still, I find the Selmer to be fussier, harder to "like" than the JKs. Maybe that's just because it's a sop and I don't play it that much, but I don't think so. Not entirely anyway. I enjoy playing my JKs, and I play my Selmer when I play soprano. I've played JK sops, and they are the bomb for mid range and low end. I had more trouble getting them to speak cleanly up high, but maybe that was just me. Bootman has it right--go play a bunch of both models (I spent a morning and afternoon deciding among four SX90R tenors), but unless you're dead set on having one or the other, don't stop there. Try Yani and Yamaha, Guardala and Borgani, Cannonball, Unison, even the heavily panned Asian "clones", and if "new" doesn't matter, try as many vintage, (i.e., "experienced") horns as you can find. In the horn buying process, don't pass on a chance to have a really good play test with a horn, ever. Some of us play horns we never expected to like.
Mitch A User ID: 2226594	Nov 10th 1:39 PM Greenhorn, I alternate between a 50's Meyer Bros 6M, and three Ponzols, a .100 II-V-I, a .110 ML and a M2. The .100 I-V-I is my favorite, with Fibracell MS.