Selmer SSS Tenor

[brucesax]

I finally got my SSS#186xx playing. I got it in November & it needed some work to get it going. Also, I really didn't know just how far I wanted to go with it. So, I got a BASIC playing condition done on it as phase one which meant a few pads, straighten out the octive mechanism, replace the Eb guard & adjust it. Also, the bell had to be physically adjusted as it was so out of wack that the pads barely covered the tone holes on the back of the pads (done with a mandrel).

So now it plays. And HOOCHIE-MOMMA!! Does it play! This horn is big. The sound is sooo fat. I'm very surprised at how loud it speaks. I'm still having to get used to the feel as it is a bit awkward compared to my S-20 but it sure has the sound. It looks ugly because of an absolutely horrible lacquer job that was done on it in the 60's but it honks.

I'm going to take it to a big band practice next week and scare everyone.

brucesax

[PB]

Congratulations brucesax. I have a silver 17xxx SSS myself and it is the fattest sounding Selmer I ever had. When someone is used to King or Conn saxes, the SSS is the Selmer that comes closest to these horns without loosing the great Selmer blend.
Good luck and a lot of fun with your SSS.
P.S. can you tell me if your very low notes are a little bit too sharp without rings in the toneholes? thanks

[AMASAX]

i think most/all of the old Selmer tenors are sharp on the bottom few notes. Don't think they fixed this till they went to the 'long bow' SBA tenor...i've got/had several of the pre-SBA horns and if memory serves, the tenors are all sharp down low...

[brucesax]

Amasax,

Sorry to take so long to reply to you question as I haven't been on SOTW lately. Anyway, I haven't really noticed the horn being too sharp in the bottom as I haven't had it repadded yet & it's not the best below "c". However, I can adjust down pretty easily to compensate.

I did play it for 2 sets on a big band gig a couple of weeks ago before switching back to my S-20. Had to switch as it has a funky cork on the lower stack that just wouldn't stay totally in place & I also need to put a new tenon cork on it. But, it was a test run & the 1st time out on a gig. It is a fat honker. I can see why Zoot loved his. The sound is increadibly addictive.

[SteveS]

Recently purchased a 24,xxx Balanced Action tenor (1937). Low notes are actually in tune on this horn. Interesting...

[AMASAX]

hmmm, i have a 22,xxx BA tenor i've had forever, and that baby's sharp on the low B & Bb...don't think it has to do with pad heights, either...

but, hey, whatever floats your boat... :lol:

[Dr G]

Recently purchased a 24,xxx Balanced Action tenor (1937). Low notes are actually in tune on this horn. Interesting...

... and all the other notes are sharp? :wink:

I had a BA tenor of the same year as your's and never could find a mouthpiece that could get the whole horn in tune: the low B and Bb were very sharp.

[Tharruff]

George,

I corresponded with you about this same thing a couple of years ago.
I still have only 1 Tenor...a 1940 B/A and the lower notes on this horn are still EXTREMELY sharp - no matter what mouthpiece I have used.

If Steve can play a B/A in tune on the low end...he is an ANIMAL. My hat is off to him.

[Dr G]

Hey Tharruff, great to see you 'round.

Yeah, it's especially singular for a BA to have the low B and Bb in tune. We should take his horn apart to see if the original bow and bell are made to specification! :shock:

I haven't known of a BA that was made to play those notes in tune. Maybe Les Arbuckle or Randy Jones have seen one that was different but I've never heard of it. It was a trait both common and chronic. That aside, the BA's are superb horns - one of the best voices around, I think.

Go for the tone (and don't linger down low).

George