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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Selmer saxes / Best Soprano

Next 20 Messages

SaxGuy80
User ID: 0903294 Jan 27th 11:37 AM
Im thinking about picking up a Soprano saxophone, and after reading all the comments on how poor the Selmer soprano plays, then whats a good soprano. Im considering a Series 2, Series 3 and a Yamaha YSS-875. theirs probably going to be comments about Keilwerth, and Yanagisawa, but Im only interested in the Selmer and Yamaha.
Thanks

Sherry
User ID: 0784604 Jan 27th 11:56 AM
I have owned 1. A cheap Taiwanese soprano, 2. Yamaha YSS 475, 3. Yamaha YSS 62, and 3. Yanagisawa Curved SC 901.

The YSS 475 was very easy to play - I'm sort of sorry that I sold it. I thought the sound lacked depth. The YSS-62 had a great sound, but I could never control it. I've tried several Selmer Series II and Series III sopranos and never found one that I could play.

Of all the sopranos I've ever played the one that had the sound and feel that I liked the best was the YSS-875. I've tried several of them, and they seem to have the easy playability of the 475 with the depth of sound of the 62. My teacher on the other hand swears by the 62, although he says he has considered buying a 675 which he likes better than the 875.

I no longer own a straight soprano. I love the Yani curved (yep already a comment about Yani). I actually think a Yamaha 875 has more depth of sound and in some ways is easier to play, but I'm loving the sweet voice of the little curved guy more every day.

Everyone is different and there are people who swear by the Selmer sopranos. I find them stuffy and prone to choke on too many notes. I like YSS 875 and the Yani SC 901 or 902 (wish I had the 902 now that I played one at NAMM and I don't think the Yani straight ones stand out as much but they play well enough).

RS
User ID: 1314254 Jan 27th 1:08 PM
Another vote for the curved Yani (SC901). Would like to try the bronze or silver but couldn't afford to but one. I find curved sops. very comfortable to play.

SaxGuy80
User ID: 0903294 Jan 27th 1:18 PM
Im pleased that the vote so far is for the Yani, but what about the Series 2 VS. Series 3 VS. the Yamaha 875.

RS
User ID: 1314254 Jan 27th 1:24 PM
Also, I tried a Series III a while back and didn't like it (and I've been a Selmer player for thirty years). Maybe it had some adjustment issues because the response was very poor. Keywork didn't feel good either. Ended up buying a Yamaha Custom which I grew to dislike over time. Left hand spatula was poorly designed (oversized and awkwardly positioned--similar to the infamous Mark VII spatulas) and the sound was pretty ho-hum to my ears. So I traded it in for the curved Yani (thanks to Dimitri at WW/BW for helping me with the trade). The Yani has a bright and lively sound (could actually use a little reining in--bronze or siver neck might help in this regard), a quick easy response, and keywork that's as comfortable as an old shoe (with the minor exception of the left hand spatuala which I've gotten accustomed to and prefer over the Yamaha's anyway). I've had the Yani for about a year now and it's definitely a keeper.

RS
User ID: 1314254 Jan 27th 1:29 PM
Also the Yani is easy to play in tune--even for a lip that has been set for bari for twenty years.

Bootman
User ID: 2964484 Jan 27th 3:29 PM
The best straight soprano is the late Buescher straight, full bodied sound in all registers, exceptional intonation and effortless altissimo. A Conn curved has three times the sound presence of a Yani Bronze curved sop, although it lacks a front F key it more than makes up for this in the colour of the sound.

Don't forget to look into a well set-up vintage sop when checking all the offerings available.

Bloemhaai
User ID: 0847534 Jan 27th 3:41 PM
I have a selmer II and it's really a beauty.

Roger McWilliams
User ID: 3556894 Jan 27th 5:10 PM
My Selmer Serie II was chosen over the III for a simple reason. I thought the price differential could go into soprano lessons as a value greater for me than buying the three. The III is a little easier to make mellow than the II but the II can get there easily also. The III keywork is a little better for my fingers but just barely. Having had the II for three years now, I have been quite happy with the choice. Both play superbly when well adjusted and the intonation is great on both, as it is on most top-end modern sopranos.

Sherry
User ID: 0784604 Jan 27th 6:38 PM
I really do believe that a properly adjusted Series II or III would be a very good saxophone. But, for some reason every single one I've ever encountered in a store or at an exhibition was a mess.

When Selmer had the exhibition in LA where they introduced the Reference horns I went with my mouthpieces eager to try all the selmer horns. They had two Series III sopranos. I tried to play them and could not get them to sound. I asked one of the Selmer reps and next thing I know, a couple of guys from Selmer tried them, pulled them off the floor and started taking them apart. They never got them fixed before I left. I wish I had tried one at NAMM last week because supposedly those horns were in adjustment, but I didn't think of it.

Anyway, it must just be my bad luck. But since everyone I've ever tried has been impossible to play they haven't made a good impression.

Dr. Ben
User ID: 9308123 Jan 27th 8:56 PM
My first professional saxophone was a Yamaha Custom alto bought in 1990. Impressed with the performance of the alto, I got a Custom tenor which I love tremendously. When I went to replace my Selmer Series II soprano I really had hopes that the Custom soprano would win in my mini soprano shootout (to maintain brand consistency in my horn lineup). I ended up going home with a Series 3. The Custom soprano was quite good but the intonation of the Series 3 was impeccable. And the high G is a nice bonus. My Selmer soprano happens to be a killer horn but you will have to try a few as Selmer is notorious for quality control.

Dr G
User ID: 9356783 Jan 28th 11:05 AM
III.

This after 30+ years with various sops - Conn (straight), Buescher TrueTone (curved and straight), Selmer Mk VI...

Cashsax
User ID: 9014973 Jan 28th 2:53 PM
Saxguy don't kid yerself, the Selmers don't play badly. They're just not an easy horn to play for a beginner or intermediate player.My silver series III started out brand-new and very difficult to play. After 2 yrs there isn't a horn in the world I would trade it for. Feels like kid gloves now. Smoooth as silk and responds to the slightest breath..Japa. horns seem to respond and speak much easier initially and IMHO run out of gas quickly.. The Selmer is definitly the main choice for most pros..Best of luck with your new Horn whatever you choose, Cash

Ron
User ID: 9467593 Jan 28th 3:00 PM
Don't be afraid to play some '70s Mark VI sopranos. I have an early '70s horn that outplays my vintage '64 silver Mark VI. Better intonation and ballsier tone. You just have to try them and see how they play.

SaxGuy80
User ID: 0903294 Jan 29th 6:06 PM
Well after some playing, I decided to go with the Series II Soprano. The price was right, and it played nicely. Now ive got to save up for the Reference Alto!

Cashsax
User ID: 9014973 Jan 30th 1:18 AM
Saxguy,great horn..I like the design of the II in some ways better than the III.

stevew
User ID: 7399413 Jan 31st 9:30 AM
Yep, the II is a great sax. The III tends to come set up with lighter action, and has the curved neck option and a high G key. However, some repairers find the III a bit complicated to work with. I reckon the II is a good solid pro horn, and they can be picked up in good condition for a good price. The more I play mine, the more I can get out of it, and whilst the high notes were hard at first, I am now on top of it and well into the altissimo area.

Cashsax
User ID: 9014973 Jan 31st 5:48 PM
I saw a pic of the II and it looked to have Ribs on the lowest posts, my III don't..posts mounted to the Body probably resonate over-all better, but much a much weaker design stength-wise I think. Fixed neck ( I think?) on the II as well. I use the straight on my III and it just as well could be mounted. Taking it on&off is a pain and a weak area to me..

Bill
User ID: 0512724 Feb 9th 2:13 AM
I've owned 3 sop's in my entire life, a straight buescher in 1949,, played good. A Tiawianese one last year,, straight,,,, good key action, intonation not good... and finally a straight buescher true tone,,, vintage 1925, and it's a sweetheart.. i'll stick with that one...I find that sop's are very fussy with mp's and reeds..

Danzzz
User ID: 9252363 Feb 9th 6:56 AM
Had a few sops curved and straight. One i have now is a 70's mk6, BEST sound ive heard ,it belonged to a friend of mine in OZ who was seduced by the voluptuis curves of a yana and i cought him at a week moment and gought it for $600 OZ. I cant play this horn without people commenting on its sound.Bet he wants it back but ive moved countrys.yah

Next 20 Messages

SaxGuy80 User ID: 0903294	Jan 27th 11:37 AM Im thinking about picking up a Soprano saxophone, and after reading all the comments on how poor the Selmer soprano plays, then whats a good soprano. Im considering a Series 2, Series 3 and a Yamaha YSS-875. theirs probably going to be comments about Keilwerth, and Yanagisawa, but Im only interested in the Selmer and Yamaha. Thanks
Sherry User ID: 0784604	Jan 27th 11:56 AM I have owned 1. A cheap Taiwanese soprano, 2. Yamaha YSS 475, 3. Yamaha YSS 62, and 3. Yanagisawa Curved SC 901. The YSS 475 was very easy to play - I'm sort of sorry that I sold it. I thought the sound lacked depth. The YSS-62 had a great sound, but I could never control it. I've tried several Selmer Series II and Series III sopranos and never found one that I could play. Of all the sopranos I've ever played the one that had the sound and feel that I liked the best was the YSS-875. I've tried several of them, and they seem to have the easy playability of the 475 with the depth of sound of the 62. My teacher on the other hand swears by the 62, although he says he has considered buying a 675 which he likes better than the 875. I no longer own a straight soprano. I love the Yani curved (yep already a comment about Yani). I actually think a Yamaha 875 has more depth of sound and in some ways is easier to play, but I'm loving the sweet voice of the little curved guy more every day. Everyone is different and there are people who swear by the Selmer sopranos. I find them stuffy and prone to choke on too many notes. I like YSS 875 and the Yani SC 901 or 902 (wish I had the 902 now that I played one at NAMM and I don't think the Yani straight ones stand out as much but they play well enough).
RS User ID: 1314254	Jan 27th 1:08 PM Another vote for the curved Yani (SC901). Would like to try the bronze or silver but couldn't afford to but one. I find curved sops. very comfortable to play.
SaxGuy80 User ID: 0903294	Jan 27th 1:18 PM Im pleased that the vote so far is for the Yani, but what about the Series 2 VS. Series 3 VS. the Yamaha 875.
RS User ID: 1314254	Jan 27th 1:24 PM Also, I tried a Series III a while back and didn't like it (and I've been a Selmer player for thirty years). Maybe it had some adjustment issues because the response was very poor. Keywork didn't feel good either. Ended up buying a Yamaha Custom which I grew to dislike over time. Left hand spatula was poorly designed (oversized and awkwardly positioned--similar to the infamous Mark VII spatulas) and the sound was pretty ho-hum to my ears. So I traded it in for the curved Yani (thanks to Dimitri at WW/BW for helping me with the trade). The Yani has a bright and lively sound (could actually use a little reining in--bronze or siver neck might help in this regard), a quick easy response, and keywork that's as comfortable as an old shoe (with the minor exception of the left hand spatuala which I've gotten accustomed to and prefer over the Yamaha's anyway). I've had the Yani for about a year now and it's definitely a keeper.
RS User ID: 1314254	Jan 27th 1:29 PM Also the Yani is easy to play in tune--even for a lip that has been set for bari for twenty years.
Bootman User ID: 2964484	Jan 27th 3:29 PM The best straight soprano is the late Buescher straight, full bodied sound in all registers, exceptional intonation and effortless altissimo. A Conn curved has three times the sound presence of a Yani Bronze curved sop, although it lacks a front F key it more than makes up for this in the colour of the sound. Don't forget to look into a well set-up vintage sop when checking all the offerings available.
Bloemhaai User ID: 0847534	Jan 27th 3:41 PM I have a selmer II and it's really a beauty.
Roger McWilliams User ID: 3556894	Jan 27th 5:10 PM My Selmer Serie II was chosen over the III for a simple reason. I thought the price differential could go into soprano lessons as a value greater for me than buying the three. The III is a little easier to make mellow than the II but the II can get there easily also. The III keywork is a little better for my fingers but just barely. Having had the II for three years now, I have been quite happy with the choice. Both play superbly when well adjusted and the intonation is great on both, as it is on most top-end modern sopranos.
Sherry User ID: 0784604	Jan 27th 6:38 PM I really do believe that a properly adjusted Series II or III would be a very good saxophone. But, for some reason every single one I've ever encountered in a store or at an exhibition was a mess. When Selmer had the exhibition in LA where they introduced the Reference horns I went with my mouthpieces eager to try all the selmer horns. They had two Series III sopranos. I tried to play them and could not get them to sound. I asked one of the Selmer reps and next thing I know, a couple of guys from Selmer tried them, pulled them off the floor and started taking them apart. They never got them fixed before I left. I wish I had tried one at NAMM last week because supposedly those horns were in adjustment, but I didn't think of it. Anyway, it must just be my bad luck. But since everyone I've ever tried has been impossible to play they haven't made a good impression.
Dr. Ben User ID: 9308123	Jan 27th 8:56 PM My first professional saxophone was a Yamaha Custom alto bought in 1990. Impressed with the performance of the alto, I got a Custom tenor which I love tremendously. When I went to replace my Selmer Series II soprano I really had hopes that the Custom soprano would win in my mini soprano shootout (to maintain brand consistency in my horn lineup). I ended up going home with a Series 3. The Custom soprano was quite good but the intonation of the Series 3 was impeccable. And the high G is a nice bonus. My Selmer soprano happens to be a killer horn but you will have to try a few as Selmer is notorious for quality control.
Dr G User ID: 9356783	Jan 28th 11:05 AM III. This after 30+ years with various sops - Conn (straight), Buescher TrueTone (curved and straight), Selmer Mk VI...
Cashsax User ID: 9014973	Jan 28th 2:53 PM Saxguy don't kid yerself, the Selmers don't play badly. They're just not an easy horn to play for a beginner or intermediate player.My silver series III started out brand-new and very difficult to play. After 2 yrs there isn't a horn in the world I would trade it for. Feels like kid gloves now. Smoooth as silk and responds to the slightest breath..Japa. horns seem to respond and speak much easier initially and IMHO run out of gas quickly.. The Selmer is definitly the main choice for most pros..Best of luck with your new Horn whatever you choose, Cash
Ron User ID: 9467593	Jan 28th 3:00 PM Don't be afraid to play some '70s Mark VI sopranos. I have an early '70s horn that outplays my vintage '64 silver Mark VI. Better intonation and ballsier tone. You just have to try them and see how they play.
SaxGuy80 User ID: 0903294	Jan 29th 6:06 PM Well after some playing, I decided to go with the Series II Soprano. The price was right, and it played nicely. Now ive got to save up for the Reference Alto!
Cashsax User ID: 9014973	Jan 30th 1:18 AM Saxguy,great horn..I like the design of the II in some ways better than the III.
stevew User ID: 7399413	Jan 31st 9:30 AM Yep, the II is a great sax. The III tends to come set up with lighter action, and has the curved neck option and a high G key. However, some repairers find the III a bit complicated to work with. I reckon the II is a good solid pro horn, and they can be picked up in good condition for a good price. The more I play mine, the more I can get out of it, and whilst the high notes were hard at first, I am now on top of it and well into the altissimo area.
Cashsax User ID: 9014973	Jan 31st 5:48 PM I saw a pic of the II and it looked to have Ribs on the lowest posts, my III don't..posts mounted to the Body probably resonate over-all better, but much a much weaker design stength-wise I think. Fixed neck ( I think?) on the II as well. I use the straight on my III and it just as well could be mounted. Taking it on&off is a pain and a weak area to me..
Bill User ID: 0512724	Feb 9th 2:13 AM I've owned 3 sop's in my entire life, a straight buescher in 1949,, played good. A Tiawianese one last year,, straight,,,, good key action, intonation not good... and finally a straight buescher true tone,,, vintage 1925, and it's a sweetheart.. i'll stick with that one...I find that sop's are very fussy with mp's and reeds..
Danzzz User ID: 9252363	Feb 9th 6:56 AM Had a few sops curved and straight. One i have now is a 70's mk6, BEST sound ive heard ,it belonged to a friend of mine in OZ who was seduced by the voluptuis curves of a yana and i cought him at a week moment and gought it for $600 OZ. I cant play this horn without people commenting on its sound.Bet he wants it back but ive moved countrys.yah