Favorite Selmer Saxophone Ever Made

[woodwindmaster06]

What is your favorite Selmer saxophone.

[Joseph Boucher]

I voted for the Balanced Action (1936-1947) because it was one of the saxes of the 'swing era'. Joe.

[JohnZ]

I voted for the MkVI because I'm an original owner of one that basically sat in a case for 30 years. It makes me feel good that something I own has gone up in value. Too bad I gave away the Lionel trains and moms 78rpm record collection....gggg.

[GHawk]

I've owned a bunch of saxes over the years. The one that stands out above all is my SerieII tenor.

[AMASAX]

well, to do this REALLY right, you have to break it down to sop/alto/ten/bari, as the alto results could easily be different than the tenor results. For example, my favorite vintage alto is the Super Action(SBA) from late 1940s-early 1950s, but for tenors, I prefer either Balanced Action or late Supers(Cigar Cutter or Radio Improved). I voted Super Action(SBA) because for me it's the best compromise for vintage alto AND tenor.

Some of the new horns are very nice, too, but hey, we're tawking vintage here, righto? :guns:

[-j.]

Mine.

Not because it's a Ref. 54 (and AMASAX has a very good point indeed, but I couldn't resist anyway). But because it's a really good Ref. 54. And it's *MY* Ref. 54 -- HU-HU-HUA-HA-HA-HA-HA! Awww...

-j.

[Tears June]

I really DON'T understand we have better technology today but Selmer cannot produce horn as good as their Mark VI and SBA. Series II, III, Ref 54, Ref 36 all don't have Mark VI / SBA such sonic characteristic.

Yana, Yamaha. They are improving their quailty every year. I don't know why Selmer just use Mark VI & SBA basic design to create a new model.
Don't you know why ?


:cry:

[GHawk]

[/quote]I really DON'T understand we have better technology today but Selmer cannot produce horn as good as their Mark VI and SBA. Series II, III, Ref 54, Ref 36 all don't have Mark VI / SBA such sonic characteristic.

That's a matter of subjectivity. I've owned two MkVI's and neither of them were as good as my Serie II (tenor) - much better response, better action (the MkVI is not even in the same league action-wise), and better intonation. There are really good VI's out there and some monster players play them, but I wouldn't take a good VI for my Serie II - but that's MEEEE - nobody else. I have a good one and I don't buy saxophones for investments - I play mine. If I were to buy for resale, I'd get as many good VI's as I could get my hands on.

As far as copying a MkVI - it can be done mechanically but not metalurgically. The ore used for the MkVI isn't available and can't be duplicated - at least that's what I was told by a tech who used to work for Selmer. I'm sure that there are probably other reasons, and someone on this board will know them.

[JJ]

I am with you Hawk.
I have tried the reference horns and (only) a couple of mrk VI's, but I wouldn't trade my Serie II tenor for any of them. Of course any of the happy owners of the other horns, wouldn't trade with a Serie II.

But lets see in 30 years. Then the Serie II will be a classic. High quality and a great full and dark sound.

A saxophone is a fantastic instrument isn't it? :wink:

[jd]

mark 6s are the best ive ever played al though most selmer pro models are real good. nothing like a 6

[Mike Ruhl]

I never cared the Mark VI tenor, but recently I tried a new Series III tenor in a local retailer, and was very impressed. It actually played similarly to my trusty old King Super 20.

[Tears June]

meruhl

What version of Series III you tried? There are different version - Clear Lacquered, Silver Plated, Black Lacquered, Brush/Matte...

I wonder Series III sounds like vintage horn?!! At least Series III is metal
resonator but all vintage horn (Mark VI, SBA) and some new Selmer horn (Ref 36, 54) is plastic resonator.

:cry:

[Andrew]

I own three different selmers

Alto - Silver w/ engraving 89xxx Mark VI
Tenor - Gold Lacquer No Engraving 269xxx Mark VII
Soprano - Matte Finish w/engraving Series III

I have to say, the VI is the best of the bunch.

[Chris]

Selmer Mark 6 Tenor. That's the best selmer ever built.

[jd]

andrew , my alto is a 89*** too. they are killer. i dont think it gets any better. mine is a gold laquered one .love it .

[Mike Ruhl]

What version of Series III you tried? There are different version - Clear Lacquered, Silver Plated, Black Lacquered, Brush/Matte...I wonder Series III sounds like vintage horn?!!
It was a clear lacquered tenor. To me, a good saxophone of any vintage still sounds like a saxophone. Don't get too hung up on it.

[hodges1]

those post war super balanced actions sound so sweet

[saxusa]

My favorite Selmer is the one I'm using now, a Mark VI alto. :)

[SteveS]

Alto -- Mark VI for its blend of guts (usually) and sweet sound. In my opinion (your mileage will definitely vary!), the Series II alto has clumsy ergonomics and a dull sound. The III had better key layout, but otherwise doesn't do much for me either. The BA and SBA don't have the FAT alto sound I love.

Tenor -- Well... believe it or not, I have yet to find a tenor that I would flat out dump my 1996 Series II for. OH, I'VE TRIED!! I was buying into the "Series II is a mediocre horn" rap. Started looking around. Know what horn sounds closest to my Series II? The Ref 54 and SOME Mark VI's. Maybe I got ahold of a really good one (chose it from a field of 6), but mine just roars from top to bottom.

BUT!! I just purchased a 1937 Balanced Action. Does not have the volume or guts of my Series II, but the sound is SO sweet I could not pass it up. What a "ballad horn." Wow.... Ergonomics surprising for a horn of its era.

[Hotspur]

I tried a SA 80II once it was so nice I'm trying to save for one but darn if they arent expensive

[SearjeantSax]

my SBA alto does sound phat, it roars, but it can also sound sooo sweet and lyrical, the ergonomics and feel beat all the modern horns i've played, and the few mkvis ive played in my opinion.
one of the best horns in the world;)

[martysax]

I never cared the Mark VI tenor, but recently I tried a new Series III tenor in a local retailer, and was very impressed. It actually played similarly to my trusty old King Super 20.


Impossible! Mike, you obviously are a right wing player, but why would you as a card carrying member of the party condone a French product?


Mike? Mike?




(I know, I know!)

[martysax]

The sweetest sounds I ever played on Alto came out of a gold-plated Balanced Action that Emilio let me use for a recording gig.

It played itself.

[Jonathan C.]

S80 II, best Tenor I have ever played. And probably the last one I will ever need to own.

[selmer]

My Mark V1 Tenor 60*** - it outplays every other sax i've ever played both in tone and intonation. Before acquiring this one i had previously owned 8 mark 6's, but for over 5 years now i have only used this one. (i also have a reserve horn of nearly the same serial number which is ok but not in my main sax's league.

[selmer]

My favourite alto was a Super BA done up by Emilio and he changed the neck and put a 54*** Mark VI neck with it......the two went together better than the original (soundwise) and it outplayed any VI alto's i've ever played.

[fluteypiccolosax]

the only selmers i've played are the series 2, the la vie and la voix........
so the series 2 would be the best...i wish i got that instead of my silver cannonball:(

[maarten visser]

I have 3 mark VI 's (soprano, alto, baritone) and 1 Super Action tenor. Tenor wins.

[RS]

Low Bb Mark VI bari.

[potiphar]

I voted for the supersax because my alto is a New Largebore, 1930, and I'm completely biased. However, it scorches with a Morgan Excalibur.

[MarkVIBari]

My favorite horn is still the 1972 Mark VI low A bari that I took out of the plastic in Jr. High. It was a new school and they had all new horns. Even though I currently own a 1964 Mark VI bari and a 1965 Mark VI alto - both great horns - I still miss that '72.

I shudder to think how it fared over the years.

[olhonker]

Just for clarification, In between the Model 26 and "Cigar Cutter", there is the first "Super Sax" ie; Cigar cutter, Radio Improved and Jimmy Dorsey, but this SS is known as the "New Largebore" Mine is ca. 1930, wrongly identified as a cigar cutter, although very similar, main difference is the octave mech. Anyhbow, this IMO is the sweetest playing tenor I ever owned.

[geauxsax]

My old teacher (RIP) had a SBA alto was the finest horn I've ever played. It barely had any lacquer left, but not a dent, and it was set up superbly. I felt like a pro on it. This was years ago, and I didn't have an appreciation for vintage horns. To me (before playing it), it was just some old sax. After playing it, I always was regarded it with reverence. Yes, my favorite.

I also played the school's MK VI tenor, but it was beat, and probably not a good reflection on the make. I have no idea what serial number range it was, but it had some gray plastic funky zipper case for what it's worth, which of course had a broken zipper. I liked it OK, but as it was, no magic there.

other than that, little other Selmer experience.

[SwinginSax]

Seriously, who actually voted for the mark VII????
They must never have played any of the others.

[warp x]

Another vote for the sss. great horns, almost bought one the other day.
I really don't care at all for SBA's or VI's.

[jonas grundvall]

Seriously, who actually voted for the mark VII????
They must never have played any of the others.

I played a mk6 in our schoolband when I was younger and later got myself a mk7. It´s difficult to compare for me because of age difference. But anyway I think the most reliable, easyplaying tenor I ever played is a Keilwerth sx90 from my armyband days...

[SaxJunkee]

My SBA Alto is very nice and outplays my old VI. I did test a silver Mark VI alto recently that I was outbid on and boy did it play good. Im am sad to say that it outplayed my SBA, very sad that I lost it to a dealer on ebay during the last 3 seconds.

My VI tenor is awesome. Very nice sound quality. The best.

I like my Yamaha Soprano but it doesnt play as good as a VI.

I like Mark VI low A Baris. Yani makes a good Bari as well.