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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Selmer saxes / Just heard a really nice selmer, umm...

MajinX
User ID: 0101764 Nov 6th 3:37 PM
well, i have been lifted from my lacking of knowledge about selmers. upto recently i have never really heard one being played. I went to a music store recently and there was a guy (im assuming semi pro or pro) playing a couple saxes, and when i saw him pick up the selmer, it sounded just so nice. everything i would ever want in a sound.

so now that i have loads of time before buying a new sax (or used one, just getting another one) i know i should try my share of selmers. Im an alto player. right now on a yas-23 (ugh). anything i should look into specifically? i want more of a mellow centered tone, somewhat dark, not too thin in the high range.

Thomas
User ID: 0930774 Nov 6th 4:56 PM
Serie II-silverplated

Razzy
User ID: 8924643 Nov 6th 4:58 PM
Or if you're willing to go vintage, that sounds almost identical to a few Balanced Action's i've played.

shazzo
User ID: 0923684 Nov 6th 11:24 PM
get a SBA or BA... it's cool! maybe i'm saying this because i play one :)

Bill
User ID: 2386864 Nov 8th 2:32 AM
I agree with shazzoo,,, get a B/A selmer.. there is no other horn that will play as good as one,, (in good cond) of course. Best to have custom resonators on it.

Balladeer
User ID: 2365684 Nov 8th 8:42 AM
I'm confused about the names of these Selmers. I, personally, have an early Mk VI alto. I have a friend who calls his alto a "Balanced Action" model, and it was made after the Mark VI's. I thought that immediately prior to the Mark VI was the Super Balanced Action (SBA) and prior to that was the Balanced Action (BA). Please correct me.

stevew
User ID: 8868883 Nov 8th 8:54 AM
Your friend is wrong, the saxes after the VI were the Mark VII and then the Super Action, Super Action Serie II and Super Action Serie III.

MajinX
User ID: 0561484 Nov 13th 10:44 AM
just found out, his is a mark 6 from 1964. in damn good condition too.

what are the price ranges of everything your talking about here?

Brice B.
User ID: 8437443 Nov 15th 6:46 AM
too expensive. probably in the mid $3000's. I personally, just as a suggetion, would go with a series III. Especially if you are more of a beginner. Mk. 6's are great horns, I've owned 3 or 4 of them. But A modern horn seems more suitable for a less experienced player. The III will offer better control of intonation, and it's easier to control tone. VI's take more effort. If you feel accomplished as a player though, a VI might be a good fit for you. I would say to test as many VI's and III's as possible to make up your mind. The III will save you some, if not a lot of money.

MajinX User ID: 0101764	Nov 6th 3:37 PM well, i have been lifted from my lacking of knowledge about selmers. upto recently i have never really heard one being played. I went to a music store recently and there was a guy (im assuming semi pro or pro) playing a couple saxes, and when i saw him pick up the selmer, it sounded just so nice. everything i would ever want in a sound. so now that i have loads of time before buying a new sax (or used one, just getting another one) i know i should try my share of selmers. Im an alto player. right now on a yas-23 (ugh). anything i should look into specifically? i want more of a mellow centered tone, somewhat dark, not too thin in the high range.
Thomas User ID: 0930774	Nov 6th 4:56 PM Serie II-silverplated
Razzy User ID: 8924643	Nov 6th 4:58 PM Or if you're willing to go vintage, that sounds almost identical to a few Balanced Action's i've played.
shazzo User ID: 0923684	Nov 6th 11:24 PM get a SBA or BA... it's cool! maybe i'm saying this because i play one :)
Bill User ID: 2386864	Nov 8th 2:32 AM I agree with shazzoo,,, get a B/A selmer.. there is no other horn that will play as good as one,, (in good cond) of course. Best to have custom resonators on it.
Balladeer User ID: 2365684	Nov 8th 8:42 AM I'm confused about the names of these Selmers. I, personally, have an early Mk VI alto. I have a friend who calls his alto a "Balanced Action" model, and it was made after the Mark VI's. I thought that immediately prior to the Mark VI was the Super Balanced Action (SBA) and prior to that was the Balanced Action (BA). Please correct me.
stevew User ID: 8868883	Nov 8th 8:54 AM Your friend is wrong, the saxes after the VI were the Mark VII and then the Super Action, Super Action Serie II and Super Action Serie III.
MajinX User ID: 0561484	Nov 13th 10:44 AM just found out, his is a mark 6 from 1964. in damn good condition too. what are the price ranges of everything your talking about here?
Brice B. User ID: 8437443	Nov 15th 6:46 AM too expensive. probably in the mid $3000's. I personally, just as a suggetion, would go with a series III. Especially if you are more of a beginner. Mk. 6's are great horns, I've owned 3 or 4 of them. But A modern horn seems more suitable for a less experienced player. The III will offer better control of intonation, and it's easier to control tone. VI's take more effort. If you feel accomplished as a player though, a VI might be a good fit for you. I would say to test as many VI's and III's as possible to make up your mind. The III will save you some, if not a lot of money.