Selmer USA serial 820xxx

[songofthewolf]

Hi. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the Selmer USA 1980s horns, specifically serial # 820xxx (dark laquer). Are they good playong horns? How do they compare to the other selmers and the yamahas? Thanks so much for your help!

[silver-sax]

I have bought recently two altos #821*** and strongly disappointed. :(
These are nonprofessional instruments.
But certainly, all be relative in this world!

[Howlin]

Be wary of these - they are not anything like the legendary European Selmers in quality/intonation. :argue:

[saxmanglen]

You should take a look at this post:

http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7489&highlight=selmer+usa

[saxmanglen]

Here's what christiansax said:

He's not asking about AS-100s or 110s, or the recent Selmer 'Omega' line of intermedite instruments. He's aking about Selmer USA's one attempt to make a pro sax, the model 162 'Omega', and later, the model 164 tenor. The sax was fine, but did not enjoy wide acceptance as a pro horn. Serial numbers on the model 162 alto and 164 tenor are six-digit, starting with 820xxx, as far as I have been able to determine. I have the alto I bought in '83, and it's 821xxx. This is a wonderful, free-blowing alto with a deep, resonant sound. The first model will have a round pearl for high F, a round pearl for the side F# and a plain brass bar for the high F#. Also, the RH pinky keys (D#,C) will be rounded like the Mk VI. The tenors are very good, too, and Boots Randolph has been playing one for about ten years. Original tone boosters on these are polished metal with no visible rivet. Architecture of the sax, particularly the first model, is basically Mk VI, although no parts are interchangeable, and the neck and bell are slightly different. There was a rumor that 'Mk VI tooling' was used for these, but that is completely false. The Mk VI tooling has never existed in the US, and never will. Selmer USA and H. Selmer, Paris are two different companies and have been for many years.
I'd say anyone with one of these first-model saxes, particularly the alto, would be well advised to keep and enjoy it. Selmer USA still sells the top line saxes as pro models, and they certainly are, although you won't find too many of them in pro use. The later versions (sometime after the '80s) have an oval pearl for the high F# key and RH pinky keys with the Mk VII/Super 80 extensions and shapes. These are still nice saxes but not as desireable as the Omega.

[Ray]

I got a Selmer USA alto from Tim at Sax Alley and I love it. Very solid construction and a nice deep, warm tone.It's # is 827xxx. Plays very well with a Runyon Finesse mpc. I have used it in our church orchestra for 1 1/2 years with no problems.

[TheChristianSax]

Saxmanglen,

That was actually posted by "1saxman", but is a really good informative post.

I still believe that the older Omegas were not "inferior" horns as some have said in past posts. I believe they were on par with the Selmer Paris horns of the same vintage. I have enjoyed my model 164 tenor considerably and find it to have a really great feel and sound. Now maybe it is not a Mark VI, but it is still a quality horn. I have not played the new Selmer USA models, so I cannot comment on those. Anyway, I guess it is good to separate the USA's from the Paris' for people who don't know. Maybe the Selmer Paris forum should be separated into Mark VI's, and then everything else. Just a thought. :D

Sincerely,

Matt

[saxmanglen]

Matt,

I've got a tenor in the 828xxx range but I can't find a model # or any designation. Does the model 164 you have have any markings of model? Mine is a very nice horn and very similar to a Mark vi if compared side by side. It has a wonderful tone and is built well. I do tend to play my Yanagisiwa more frequently do to key layout and my short fingers.

Glen

[TheChristianSax]

Glen,

My horn, like yours, has no markings to identify the model. On the bell it does have Selmer U.S.A., along with an engraving above the name that was very chacteristic of the Omega models. After owning my Yamaha for several years, I was amazed at how different the Omega sounded. The tone was much richer and the horn vibrated much more than the Yamaha.

If I might ask, what mouthpiece(s) are you using and what tone are you after? I have been using an Otto Link STM 5* for years, but have thought about getting something that was a little more focused. I do like the Link, but it tends to spread a little for my taste now.

Take care and thanks for the post.

Sincerely,

Matt

[saxmanglen]

Matt,

I've really found Jody Espina's ESP model to be my mouthpiece of choice at this time. I'm partial to wider tipped pieces and use his 120 model on tenor. It does provide a more focused tone that's less spread.

For a hard rubber chioce and a little darker sound I use a Barone Vintage model 8*.

regards, Glen