Selmer Omega

[Jough]

Due to the lack of responce to my request for a serial number range for Selmer Omega's I'm assuming that no one is sure of the range for Omega's. If someone has an Omega and knows the year it was made, I'd appreciated it if they could send me they Serial number 123XXX so I can get an idea about my horn. Thanks.

[AG]

J., if memory serves me the Omega was at one time Selmer USA's top of the line sax, eventually replaced by the AS110 or something like that. I have never seen any serial no. lists for that horn, but you might contact Selmer USA. It's possible they could have the numbers you seek or someone there may be able to help you.

[Jough]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try that. I have not had good experience with Selmer on information about their American horns. I'll post what I find out.

[TheChristianSax]

I just received a Selmer Omega tenor from a friend who no longer was playing it, as it sat in the closet for years. It was purchased new in 1984 or 1985 when the Omega first came out. It is a really good horn and seems similiar to a Selmer Paris. I know that the new Omegas are student horns, but the original ones seem to be of much better quality. I have taken it to the shop to get it adjusted and get some pads replaced, so it will be a few weeks before I can really get on it, though I actually played it for a while back in high school. Now I have to sell my YTS-52 and my Jupiter alto and get a better alto.

Sincerely,

[Stacey]

I know I got my Mark 7 alto in the 1983-84 school year, and one of the alternatives I considered was the Omega, so I know they were out at least by then. I remember seeing an ad in Downbeat where Richie Cole was endorsing the Omega. I believe I made my final decision based on reading somewhere that "Selmer Paris is better", which I accepted pretty unquestioningly at age 16. I didn't know a Mark 7 from a Mark 6, wasn't aware that the SA80 was the new model, and couldn't have even told you whether or not there had been a Mark 5, Mark 4, Mark 3, Mark 2, or Mark 1.

Anyway, that's the extent of my Omega knowledge - I know they existed at least as far back as 83/84.

Incidentally, when I bought the Mark 7, it was sitting on a shelf in a music store, quite obviously "new", even though it had been out of production for at least two years. I thought I was buying "the new Selmer Paris horn"! Water under the bridge - I love that old Mark 7.

[Pete]

This was talked about in-depth on the old forum.

The Selmer Omega was introduced in 1981. It was advertised with the question, "Can you buy a good pro horn for under $1500?"

My wife has one of these horns: it's a comprimise between the Mark VII and S80. Somewhat brighter than the VII, but darker than the S80. Better keywork than the VII. Better intonation than either the VII or S80. A bit sloppy on the solder work.

It's not a VI, but it's a match or better for any VII I've played.

The Selmer Omega was Selmer (USA)'s first "pro" horn. It's a pretty decent horn.

Selmer (USA) does still occasionally refer to their "pro" models as "Omegas".

[AG]

Perhaps you haven't played the right VII :lol:, like Stacey I love my VII too, and have yet to find a SA80 or Omega I would trade it for. There were some so-so ones, true, but also some really good ones. The Omega is a good horn, no doubt...played one once, very nice, but I prefer my VII. Just a personal choice.....no dis on the Omega or the SA80.

[Saxdaddy]

One thing I have long wondered is why Selmer USA and Selmer paris are always compared here. These are 2 entirely different makers. Selmer USA was given the right to import the Paris horns, and sell them to our market, but they don't share designs, or make each others parts, they are 2 different horns. As far as Omegas go, they were only sold by Selmer Omega Dealers, that means store that could afford to put in huge orders every year. The soldering of parts is very poor, the key work is very poor, and the bore is fair to good, meaning that out of the box the horn isn't so hot, but can be made to sound ok, nothing at all like the Paris horns, but more like a older Bundy. Now that Selmer USA is no more, and only Connselmer is left, who knows what will be next.

[Riff]

Now that Selmer USA is no more, and only Connselmer is left, who knows what will be next.

Actually, Selmer USA is alive and well. Selmer(USA) is the largest instrument manufacturer in the world. Selmer USA is the company that bought out Conn, Emerson, Artley, and many others INCLUDING Steinway pianos.

The year 1995 marked a new and exciting chapter in the Selmer story. The Selmer Company purchased Steinway & Sons. The resulting holding company, titled Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. in order to capitalize on a name recognized worldwide for quality, went public in 1996.
This quote is from:
http://www.selmer.com/history/sel-today.html

As is usual in the business world, tracing the lineage of who owns what company can be a challenge, but Selmer USA is in charge in the U.S.
Their target market is the educational and student markets. This is why they sell enough product to be the largest instrument manufacturer in the world. They leave the pro horns, which are a much smaller market, to smaller companies like Selmer Paris, Haynes, Powell, etc.

It seems to me that Selmer USA swallowed up Conn for selfish reasons. It was rumored for a time that Conn was redeveloping the 10M, naked lady engraving and all. If true, an American made horn of that professional quality would have been serious competition for both Selmer USA and Selmer Paris (which Selmer USA distributes). I have to wonder if Selmer pulled some sort of leveraged buy-out, or hostile take-over of Conn in order to stop a modern 10M from coming to market.

Check out the business at:
http://www.steinwaymusical.com/Home.html

[Saxdaddy]

Selmer bought UMI not just conn. The merge means that they are running the same factorys that UMI used to own. So you will likely see the best/worst from both companys in the products to come. Anyone that has worked on either UMI or Selmer USA products in the last 10 years knows the shortcomings of these makers. So regardless of who holds the reins, what it means to me is that there is no longer any US competition for the company, leaving it free to do as it will. Hopefully they will make a better product now, but I wouldn't count on it. Only time will tell in the end though. It should be interesting to see what comes from ConnSelmer.

[Riff]

Selmer bought UMI not just conn
True, I forgot Conn was part of UMI.
Unfortunately, with little or no competition in the US market, Conn-Selmer would have very little incentive to improve their products.

I find it interesting that the new company is called Conn-Selmer and not Selmer-Conn. This would indicate to me that Selmer USA is well aware of their reputation in the market place and are attempting to use the Conn name to bolster their image; as well as eliminating the competition.

[Hurling Frootmig]

Both Conn and Selmer USA have intermediate level horns available. It would be great if they would put forth the resources to create a new pro line in at least one of their lines. They have a variety of old designs they can draw from. What would be really sweet would be a top of the line "vintage" horn and a top of the line "modern" horn.

[rsclosson]

I finally had a chance to play an older Omega tenor today. I got to play it side by side with a Mark VII. Like Pete, I would have to give my vote for the Omega. It felt more comfortable and played easier and had better projection than the VII. In all honesty, I am not sure of the quality of the setup. The VII might have needed one and the Omega might have been well set up, but, overall, I preferred the Omega. Go figure! :?

[JPSaxMan]

Selmer (USA) does still occasionally refer to their "pro" models as "Omegas".

Now I'm pretty sure Selmer USA refers to the LaVoix as it's "pro" horn. :D

[rmp]

This is an old thread, but I can at least partially post what you were looking for,

I have a Selmer USA Pro (Omega) Alto from the mid to late 80's. The serial number on mine is 820XXX. I bought it used (2nd owner) in 1988 or 1989, and it has served me well since then.

It's not as bright as the SA80-IIs that I've played, but it's been a good ole horn for me.

rmp