Sax on the Web

Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Selmer saxes / Heart set on Series III

Bob
User ID: 1314254 Dec 5th 8:54 PM
I currently play a Keilwerth st-90 student horn. I will be purchaseing a new horn asap and have my heart set on a Selmer(wanted one since highschool). Since the Ref horns are out of my price range I figure the next best thing is the series III. Since I play such a piece of crap right now I figure any pro horn is going to be a HUGE step up. My question is what are the good and bad points about this horn and maybe Selmer in general. Although my heart is set on a Selmer I don't want to buy one if it's gonna be a dog. Oh, also I intend to buy from Tim at SaxAlley since he will set it up right for me.

Thanks,
Bob

Cashsax
User ID: 9014973 Dec 5th 9:03 PM
Good choice..Monster Horn..

JonL
User ID: 0805074 Dec 6th 7:36 AM
Ditto...the Series III is definitely a monster horn. Johnny Griffin and Pharoah Sanders are both playing them, among others. Someone else is bound to come along and tell you that the Ref horns are just so much better...but my own experience doesn't agree with that. They're just different horns. Now, with the Series II and III, and 36 and 54, Selmer has most all the bases covered.

I play a Ref 54, and I really love the horn, but I miss the Series III I had more than the Mark VI's I've let go as well.

Get whatever horn you really enjoy playing the most. The one gets you excited about playing, about your sound. Then just play it a lot. You'll be amazed how much better a horn gets the more you play it. (Might just have something to do with the player.)

Anyway, good luck. You are in a very enviable situation.

Berg-Man
User ID: 8381693 Dec 6th 8:27 AM
Bob,
The III is a fantastic modern horn, I own a III and a Ref.36(1 month) and prefer the III. The horn is versatile and has the Selmer sound. I've played my friends SX90R Anniversary Tenor and do find the easy low end (below C) but prefer the mid to high register sound of the III. I wouldn't buy a horn just because I could articulate easier with the left hand cluster notes. You spend more time on the rest of the horn. The SX90 is a wonderful modern horn. The III is a more focused sound, the SX is more spread. Both are brighter and livelier playing than the Reference horns. I've also had some great VI's but have let them go in favor of the III. The III is a great horn!!!

Dr G
User ID: 9356783 Dec 6th 10:24 AM
Bob, does SaxAlley already have some in stock? I've a two-year old III for sale if you need one. You might still have it set up by your favorite mechanic and save some money. Even though mine has already been professionally set up and maintained, I recognize that your needs may not be the same as mine.GeoKasch@juno.com

Bob
User ID: 9272753 Dec 7th 9:08 AM
Dr. G,

Thanks for the offer. It's very tempting to buy from someone who you know has taken good care of the horn, but I'm about a year out from actually buying. Just doing some early preliminary research. Prior to this I was asking about vintage horns and prior to that about the japanese horns. Seems like they all had some type of drawback to either sound or keywork. Now that I'm looking at Selmer III's it seems that there is no negative input. Also, my financial status may change between now and a year from now, so who knows I might end up with the 36.

Thanks,
Bob

Bud S
User ID: 9565813 Dec 7th 9:13 AM
I can honestly say my Silver Series III alto is the finest horn I've ever played....the intonation is soooo nice....the tone is pure Selmer....saxes just don't get any better than this....

John T.
User ID: 0247944 Dec 7th 9:28 AM
I recently was able to A-B a New SII(Black) and an SIII(Lacq) Tenor in a music store recently.
Both were excellent horns having their own merits in terms of sound.

Having Larger hands, what impressed me about the III was that it weighed so much less making it more responsive than the II and the keywork fit like a glove. Now I'm Very Tempted!

Having yet tried a Ref Horn yet, But, if they're better, they cant be THAT much better.

Roger
User ID: 7615523 Dec 22nd 6:59 PM
Sorry if this is a duplicate. I'm having problems posting. Bob. You interested in an almost new silver-plated Serie III tenor, I am starting to look for buyers. email if you care. barisaxx@msn.com

Gregg W. Jackson
User ID: 1042384 Dec 24th 10:22 AM
Bob, from personal experience, I'd say that the Selmer Series III tenor is a well designed, well built horn with a strong, bright sound. The Series III has two well known weaknesses, both of which can be fixed.

First, the spring tension is stiff, and it doesn't seem to loosen up much with time and playing. Try to have the dealer lighten up the spring tension as part of the setup.

Second, the Series III has a tendancy to acid bleed, a condition in which reddish brown crust appears at seams that have been soldered and improperly cleaned before lacquering. Examine the finish carefully from time to time, particularly the seams where the bow joins the body and where the bow joins the bell. If the horn develops have acid bleed, the repairs should be covered by the factory warranty, if you catch the condition before the warranty runs out. The good news is that if the horn doesn't have acid bleed in the first year, it may never have it.

Bari. Student
User ID: 0617234 Dec 24th 2:01 PM
Dude i say if you like it go for it but make sure it is tuned well by good tech.

Gordon (NZ)
User ID: 9976863 Dec 24th 4:37 PM
Yes, they play great, but be warned. Quality control and materials are less than ideal. See under the "What's Good" thread in the "For Beginners" topic.
These serious problems may not be an issue in some weather environments when significant time has been spent setting it up correctly, and the sax is played/stored in a favourable climate and case environment.

Bob
User ID: 9286933 Dec 26th 8:26 PM
Gordon(NZ),

I don't want to buy a horn that I'm being warned about and that needs a favorable climate and case environment. What new horns should I consider(sound preferences aside)?

Thanks,
Bob

Bari. Student
User ID: 0617234 Dec 26th 8:40 PM
Pssst Bob (Yanagisawa or Yamaha) :) this is what gordon NZ will recommand.

bennymobebop
User ID: 0512724 Dec 26th 11:53 PM
Ditto on the Yani recommendation. I played a 901 tenor that just blew my socks off. The tone characteristics reminded me a lot of the Mark VI and a lot warmer than any other new pro horn I've played. Ergonomically it was very comfortable too (the buttery action is opposite from the workout of playing a SA80). I find the Selmer IIIs have a chainsaw type tone quality to them that is hard to mellow out. They lack resonance in the low register for me too. To me, the Yanis have the warmest and mellowest (is that a word?) vintage-type sound. You can find some really great Yani deals on the web too. The only drawback I know of is the post-to-body construction. The posts aren't ribbed together, making them a little weaker and more susceptible to damage. I haven't had any problems with my 901 soprano in that regard, but I don't know if there are any long-term issues with them...probably not if they are treated well. Play one and see what you think.
On a side note, I've heard Yani is good about setting up their horns before sending them out of the factory. My soprano has played so well out of the box that I've never had an aftermarket setup (in 1 and 1/2 years), and the tenor was right out of the box too.

Gordon (NZ)
User ID: 7106263 Dec 27th 6:39 AM
Heaps of guys here will tell you to choose based on the sound you like. I am biased because I am a repairer, and I think standard of manufacture also has a priority.
If I was into selling I think that I just would not sell Selmers, because I would feel that I lacked integrity if I did not correct, well into the future, free of charge, those faults that existed at the time of selling. By the time I had corrected all those faults I have listed elsewhere there would be no profit in the sale. Hence selling Selmers with integrity is not, in my mind, viable business. I think Selmer needs a LOT of pressure to attend to this matter. That's why I am providing the details ('facts'?) of my experience with their instruments in this forum.

Bari Student has me sussed, but on a sad and honest note I report that I have just worked on a young Yanagisawa tenor on which all the needle springs had severe rust. The player plays often but doesn't deserve this. Decades ago this did not happen to springs like it does now. Surely a serious manufacturer should be sourceing springs that are either top quality stainless steel or treated to resist rust.

PS: The Yani was awesome to play.
There will always be disagreements about which saxes sound best because we are all aiming for different sounds. Probably most of the inherent difference between top makes is small compared with the differences which can be superimposed by mouthpiece, reed, embouchure, attack, air pressure, etc. This makes reliability considerations all the more important.

Bob User ID: 1314254	Dec 5th 8:54 PM I currently play a Keilwerth st-90 student horn. I will be purchaseing a new horn asap and have my heart set on a Selmer(wanted one since highschool). Since the Ref horns are out of my price range I figure the next best thing is the series III. Since I play such a piece of crap right now I figure any pro horn is going to be a HUGE step up. My question is what are the good and bad points about this horn and maybe Selmer in general. Although my heart is set on a Selmer I don't want to buy one if it's gonna be a dog. Oh, also I intend to buy from Tim at SaxAlley since he will set it up right for me. Thanks, Bob
Cashsax User ID: 9014973	Dec 5th 9:03 PM Good choice..Monster Horn..
JonL User ID: 0805074	Dec 6th 7:36 AM Ditto...the Series III is definitely a monster horn. Johnny Griffin and Pharoah Sanders are both playing them, among others. Someone else is bound to come along and tell you that the Ref horns are just so much better...but my own experience doesn't agree with that. They're just different horns. Now, with the Series II and III, and 36 and 54, Selmer has most all the bases covered. I play a Ref 54, and I really love the horn, but I miss the Series III I had more than the Mark VI's I've let go as well. Get whatever horn you really enjoy playing the most. The one gets you excited about playing, about your sound. Then just play it a lot. You'll be amazed how much better a horn gets the more you play it. (Might just have something to do with the player.) Anyway, good luck. You are in a very enviable situation.
Berg-Man User ID: 8381693	Dec 6th 8:27 AM Bob, The III is a fantastic modern horn, I own a III and a Ref.36(1 month) and prefer the III. The horn is versatile and has the Selmer sound. I've played my friends SX90R Anniversary Tenor and do find the easy low end (below C) but prefer the mid to high register sound of the III. I wouldn't buy a horn just because I could articulate easier with the left hand cluster notes. You spend more time on the rest of the horn. The SX90 is a wonderful modern horn. The III is a more focused sound, the SX is more spread. Both are brighter and livelier playing than the Reference horns. I've also had some great VI's but have let them go in favor of the III. The III is a great horn!!!
Dr G User ID: 9356783	Dec 6th 10:24 AM Bob, does SaxAlley already have some in stock? I've a two-year old III for sale if you need one. You might still have it set up by your favorite mechanic and save some money. Even though mine has already been professionally set up and maintained, I recognize that your needs may not be the same as mine.GeoKasch@juno.com
Bob User ID: 9272753	Dec 7th 9:08 AM Dr. G, Thanks for the offer. It's very tempting to buy from someone who you know has taken good care of the horn, but I'm about a year out from actually buying. Just doing some early preliminary research. Prior to this I was asking about vintage horns and prior to that about the japanese horns. Seems like they all had some type of drawback to either sound or keywork. Now that I'm looking at Selmer III's it seems that there is no negative input. Also, my financial status may change between now and a year from now, so who knows I might end up with the 36. Thanks, Bob
Bud S User ID: 9565813	Dec 7th 9:13 AM I can honestly say my Silver Series III alto is the finest horn I've ever played....the intonation is soooo nice....the tone is pure Selmer....saxes just don't get any better than this....
John T. User ID: 0247944	Dec 7th 9:28 AM I recently was able to A-B a New SII(Black) and an SIII(Lacq) Tenor in a music store recently. Both were excellent horns having their own merits in terms of sound. Having Larger hands, what impressed me about the III was that it weighed so much less making it more responsive than the II and the keywork fit like a glove. Now I'm Very Tempted! Having yet tried a Ref Horn yet, But, if they're better, they cant be THAT much better.
Roger User ID: 7615523	Dec 22nd 6:59 PM Sorry if this is a duplicate. I'm having problems posting. Bob. You interested in an almost new silver-plated Serie III tenor, I am starting to look for buyers. email if you care. barisaxx@msn.com
Gregg W. Jackson User ID: 1042384	Dec 24th 10:22 AM Bob, from personal experience, I'd say that the Selmer Series III tenor is a well designed, well built horn with a strong, bright sound. The Series III has two well known weaknesses, both of which can be fixed. First, the spring tension is stiff, and it doesn't seem to loosen up much with time and playing. Try to have the dealer lighten up the spring tension as part of the setup. Second, the Series III has a tendancy to acid bleed, a condition in which reddish brown crust appears at seams that have been soldered and improperly cleaned before lacquering. Examine the finish carefully from time to time, particularly the seams where the bow joins the body and where the bow joins the bell. If the horn develops have acid bleed, the repairs should be covered by the factory warranty, if you catch the condition before the warranty runs out. The good news is that if the horn doesn't have acid bleed in the first year, it may never have it.
Bari. Student User ID: 0617234	Dec 24th 2:01 PM Dude i say if you like it go for it but make sure it is tuned well by good tech.
Gordon (NZ) User ID: 9976863	Dec 24th 4:37 PM Yes, they play great, but be warned. Quality control and materials are less than ideal. See under the "What's Good" thread in the "For Beginners" topic. These serious problems may not be an issue in some weather environments when significant time has been spent setting it up correctly, and the sax is played/stored in a favourable climate and case environment.
Bob User ID: 9286933	Dec 26th 8:26 PM Gordon(NZ), I don't want to buy a horn that I'm being warned about and that needs a favorable climate and case environment. What new horns should I consider(sound preferences aside)? Thanks, Bob
Bari. Student User ID: 0617234	Dec 26th 8:40 PM Pssst Bob (Yanagisawa or Yamaha) :) this is what gordon NZ will recommand.
bennymobebop User ID: 0512724	Dec 26th 11:53 PM Ditto on the Yani recommendation. I played a 901 tenor that just blew my socks off. The tone characteristics reminded me a lot of the Mark VI and a lot warmer than any other new pro horn I've played. Ergonomically it was very comfortable too (the buttery action is opposite from the workout of playing a SA80). I find the Selmer IIIs have a chainsaw type tone quality to them that is hard to mellow out. They lack resonance in the low register for me too. To me, the Yanis have the warmest and mellowest (is that a word?) vintage-type sound. You can find some really great Yani deals on the web too. The only drawback I know of is the post-to-body construction. The posts aren't ribbed together, making them a little weaker and more susceptible to damage. I haven't had any problems with my 901 soprano in that regard, but I don't know if there are any long-term issues with them...probably not if they are treated well. Play one and see what you think. On a side note, I've heard Yani is good about setting up their horns before sending them out of the factory. My soprano has played so well out of the box that I've never had an aftermarket setup (in 1 and 1/2 years), and the tenor was right out of the box too.
Gordon (NZ) User ID: 7106263	Dec 27th 6:39 AM Heaps of guys here will tell you to choose based on the sound you like. I am biased because I am a repairer, and I think standard of manufacture also has a priority. If I was into selling I think that I just would not sell Selmers, because I would feel that I lacked integrity if I did not correct, well into the future, free of charge, those faults that existed at the time of selling. By the time I had corrected all those faults I have listed elsewhere there would be no profit in the sale. Hence selling Selmers with integrity is not, in my mind, viable business. I think Selmer needs a LOT of pressure to attend to this matter. That's why I am providing the details ('facts'?) of my experience with their instruments in this forum. Bari Student has me sussed, but on a sad and honest note I report that I have just worked on a young Yanagisawa tenor on which all the needle springs had severe rust. The player plays often but doesn't deserve this. Decades ago this did not happen to springs like it does now. Surely a serious manufacturer should be sourceing springs that are either top quality stainless steel or treated to resist rust. PS: The Yani was awesome to play. There will always be disagreements about which saxes sound best because we are all aiming for different sounds. Probably most of the inherent difference between top makes is small compared with the differences which can be superimposed by mouthpiece, reed, embouchure, attack, air pressure, etc. This makes reliability considerations all the more important.