View Full Version : Series III/ Ref 36
I curious as to how many of you play a series III tenor or a ref 36. What type of music are you using them for and how do you like them in general. I've noticed that not many famous pro's play these horns. Although I know Johnny Griffin has played a series III at one time. I have a DownBeat from 3/2001 that shows him and Von Freeman on the cover. He's got a III while Freeman is on a II. So how do you all like you III's and 36's.
singlereed
05-13-2003, 08:38 PM
The Ref has been around a couple of years and the III tenor perhaps only 3 or 4 years, so there aren't huge numbers in use I suppose compared to Mark VIs or even Serie IIs. They are both versatile horns that will do whatever you like, the Ref 36 supposed to have some of the sound of a SBA, though it is basically a tweaked modern horn. For what its worth, I found the few IIs I played were slightly nicer than the couple of IIIs. Pros will tend to stick to their Mark VIs and other vintage horns for recording and performance and most pros who lend theitr names to current horns do so because they are paid to, so don't get too hung up on it.
Singlereed,
In what way were the II's nicer than the III's? I tried a II a while back and really like the low end and overall sound but I thought the keywork was not as good as the III.
singlereed
05-13-2003, 10:10 PM
I agree, the keywork on a III feels more comfortable, I just found the Serie III tenors I tried (2 or 3 of them) just didn't respond very well. My teacher at the time, who worked at one of the largest retailers around (so he play tested and adjusted hundreds of new pro horns), also didn't rate the III tenors and played a II himself. Sorry that's a bit vague - I actually love the III altos and sopranos, but have yet to play a III tenor I liked.
Had both, prefer my current Ref 36. Applications range from contemporary big band to classical quartet. Previous tenor of 15+ years was a Balanced Action.
Yes, I admit to having another tenor in the stable - my Borgani Jubilee (silver pearl) - but you know what? I sent that horn to the shop for a checkup and am using the Ref 36 for everything again... and loving it! What a great horn.
The Ref is just a little more than the III was - fuller, ballsier - when it needs to be, more flexible, better dynamic response... I actually prefer the palm keys of the Ref but if you like the height of the III's keys better, that's an easy fix.
There are so many great horns out there that I wouldn't worry about who's using what. You've got to toot your own horn anyhow. You just need to find out what works in your face.
Too bad there's no icon for the Ref 36. 8)
:borg:
MarkD
05-14-2003, 03:03 PM
... They are both versatile horns that will do whatever you like...
I'll second the versatility of the Serie III. It is very responsive to changes in mouthpiece / lig /reed. I play with a metal Otto Link, a Rovner ED-II lig and a variety of reeds including VanDoren Trad's, Javas, V-16s and ZZs.
The 6 different settings of the Rovner ED-II combined with 4 different types of reeds gives lots of possibilities! And with the Serie III you can hear the entire spectrum. More so than with other tenors? I think so.
sabritas
05-23-2003, 06:55 PM
Just tried a series 111 tenor yesterday. The key work was much more fast and comfortable than the 36 and 54 I tried. Plus the notes seem to play with less effort.
I was leaning towards a reference horn ( or a six) but now I'm not sure.
sabritas
05-23-2003, 10:19 PM
Johnny Griffin
Selmer Series III tenor,
laquer
Older Otto Link,
Selmer Ligature
Discussion after Performance at the Village Vanguard-2000
Demolisher_2000
05-24-2003, 04:59 AM
I have the series 3 silver plated.
The notes come out real easily and keywork is easy so you can do passages more easily.
The silver plate gives it a more bright sound but by bright,i dont mean in cheap student horn bright but more refined and solid sound.
Its an excellent horn overall, just a bit heavy.
Just tried a series 111 tenor yesterday. The key work was much more fast and comfortable than the 36 and 54 I tried. Plus the notes seem to play with less effort.
I was leaning towards a reference horn ( or a six) but now I'm not sure.
I owned a III for several years and have been using a Ref 36 for the last couple. I don't know how the keywork would be "faster" on either one. If the spring tension is too heavy/light, that can be adjusted to taste. They use the same basic mechanism on both horns, the main difference being the height of the left palm keys (I prefer the lower height of those on the Ref). "Playing with less effort" - setup and making sure the horn is leak-free is the answer there. Both horns should play great - my III was excellent, I just prefer the 36.
Had both, prefer my current Ref 36. Applications range from contemporary big band to classical quartet. Previous tenor of 15+ years was a Balanced Action.
Yes, I admit to having another tenor in the stable - my Borgani Jubilee (silver pearl) - but you know what? I sent that horn to the shop for a checkup and am using the Ref 36 for everything again... and loving it! What a great horn.
The Ref is just a little more than the III was - fuller, ballsier - when it needs to be, more flexible, better dynamic response... I actually prefer the palm keys of the Ref but if you like the height of the III's keys better, that's an easy fix.
There are so many great horns out there that I wouldn't worry about who's using what. You've got to toot your own horn anyhow. You just need to find out what works in your face.
Too bad there's no icon for the Ref 36. 8)
:borg:
Thanks Dr G
After your informations about ref. 36 I decided to buy one for me. Here in Brazil we don´t get to play those selmers before to buy. I had a opportunity to play one MK VI number 57.XXX, but I know then ref 36´s sound is unique.
I had to look for informations about Selmer Horns, but nobody had a ref. 36 here in my city. I thought ref 54 very ugly and I like the warm sound in a sax.
In this moment my ref 36 doesn´t arrive yet. I´m anxious to take and play it.
I hope so to be happy with my ref. 36 like you.
Regards.
Marcos André
Best wishes to you for an exhilarating experience. Please let us know your perceptions of the horn when you've had some time to get to know it.
Tears June
12-17-2003, 04:35 PM
Dr G
May I know how many Ref 54 you've test before?
I only test one 54, which sound very dark (frankly, a little bit stuffy).
One my friend have test 4 Ref 54 at the same time side by side. He found one of them was sound very difference with others. That one sounds really like a Vintage Mark VI, not too dark but wonderful, even tone character are different.
My question is do you have experience some Ref 54 sounds much better than others ?
:cry:
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