Selmer USA Tenor TS-100

[GermanSaxAddict]

Does anyone know something about the quality and performance of this
model compared to the Selmer Paris models ?
Or are there any links to articles about it ? It is hard to find information about this horn though it belongs to the USA Pro Family.
My interest is based upon the quote of an insider saying that this might be
the `Best for the buck` Selmer.

Thank You

[Randall]

I have heard the occasional comment that Selmer's pro line from the states are great horns. Usually this kind of comment has come from someone who has either a LOT of experience playing (and will sound the same on pretty much any horn) or from someone with little experience at all.
I am sorry....I am not much help in answering your question.....
By and large though, i haven't heard much about these horns. I am interested to give them a try.

[Mike W]

I tried a TS-100 about seven or eight months ago using a Dukoff D8. It , for me, had a similar sound to Boots Randolph. I remember it as an easy player, with a nice tone. The key work felt a bit odd for me--not bad--just odd, different than my Super20--but fast. I liked it better than the Ref 54 and YTS-52 I tried the same day. I am still playing the Super20 though.

[tsaxy]

Mike,
Funny you should mention Boots Randolph. A few weeks ago I asked Boots (via email). what he was now playing. He was gracious enough to answer and said his primary horn is still a SA80 II Selmer ( 457,xxx) and his back up a TS100 Selmer. I play a SA80 II, but have always stayed away from the U.S. Selmers, so can not comment on them.

tsaxy

[Mike W]

Tsaxy--I've never tried a SA80 II but I would like to. Now that I know Boots is using one, it is a must try...

[tsaxy]

Mike,
If you like Boots...Go for it.
I recently purchased one on E-bay for $1629. including shipping (572,xxx)
In like new condition.
I will never be a Boots Randolph, but the combination of Dukoff D9 mpcs. and the standard Rico reed, I get mighty close to the "sound". I have modified and experimented in the chamber and baffle area till I got the sound I wanted. Boots uses std. Ricos (3) and Dukoff mpcs. You can get some good vibes from a std. Rico, and I have very few throw aways.
I was very surprised when he said he used a USA Selmer as a back up.
They can't be all that bad. I think most of us believe what we read and hear about Selmer USA and do not even consider them when horn shopping.

as some one else says on this site..."Go for the tone" or was it
"sound"
tsaxy

[Mike W]

tsaxy
I use a dukoff D8 refaced to 0.117 by MojoBari. My Super20 seems edgier than a Selmer so I asked Mojo to make the baffle sort of like a Lawton BB. That really sweetened the low notes and the tone in general on my Super20 and I am getting close to the tone I like (which has much more than a hint of Boots' tone--I wish I was as good as Boots too, but never will be). At the moment I am using Rico Royal 2 1/2s but I need to order some threes. I keep going back and forth between the Dukoff and a Lawton refaced by MojoBari to 0.113. Both are flat out great pieces. I played regular old Ricos for years. Maybe its time to go back to them.

[tsaxy]

OK ,Mike. You sound just like me. Always testing different combinations. I thought I was the only saxaholic doing that.
I have used Rico Royals, Jazz select and other mpcs., also, but keep coming back to the Dukoff's and the cheap Ricos . The Dukoffs are poorly finished , but do play well for the money.
I have heard good things about the Super 20 horns, but have not played one. My other horns are a SML Gold Medal tenor and a Serie III Selmer, which is going on the market soon. I forgot to mention that I use the III horn neck on my II horn. It makes a world of differance and the reason the III horn is going. The SML GM horn is a keeper for me, as is your Super 20.

Thanks for your input.

[Mike W]

Tsaxy
Well, I went down to the local music store and bought a few regular Rico #3s. They work great with the Dukoff. Improved the tone significantly over the R. Royals I have been using. Thanks for the tip!

[rollen]

tsaxy,

That's interesting about the email from Boots. I emailed him a few years ago to thank him for autographing a copy of Yakety Sax for my son. I asked what horn he was using and his response was Selmer USA. He commented that he had been using them for quite some time.

( the 9-11 tragedy was fresh in every one's minds, so he may have been feeling patriotic).

He web site lists the SA II.

[tsaxy]

Rollen,
Who kmows why he would say what he did. I have most of his CDs and some of his early LP 33 1/3 albums, plus his music books. On his CD, "Songs Of The Spirit" ,copywrite 2000...his picture shows him definately playing a SA80II horn with the tear drop front F key. In earlier album pictures he had a SA80 II ( or maybe a SA80I) with the pearl button front F key. In his interview with Mike Shannon ( Rock and Roll Saxophone music book) he says he plays a SA80 II,also.
Boots is noted for his trademark sound, and I would guess that he could have any horn he wanted wanted from Selmer, but I'm sure he goes for the horn that will still give him the "sound" he is noted for. The Selmer USA probably gives him what he is listening for, therefore he uses it along with the SA80 II. Purely speculation on my part.
I still have the emails he sent me. Would be happy to forward to you , if you want.
Thanks, tsaxy

[rollen]

tsaxy,

I wasn't questioning your facts. I hope you didn't interpret it as me challenging your info. I was just adding some information that I had received. I just thought it was interesting that he gave different answers. I was suprised when he told me Selmer USA and not a SA II.

I asked if he had tried the Reference 54 and that's when he said he had been playing the USA Selmers.

If I had to make a choice I would say he plays the SAII.

[tsaxy]

Hi Rollen,
No offense taken. When you are at Boot's level, he would sound good on any horn,I'm sure.
You asked him about the Ref. horns and I also asked him about the Serie IIIs, as I was playing one of those at the time. He never did answer that one. We think along the same lines. It is interesting to know what the pros use and why they do what they do. Thanks for your info.

tsaxy AKA Bob

[1saxman]

Boots actually plays a Selmer USA model 164 tenor (the current version is called the TS100) exclusively. Since he is a 'Selmer Artist', he has to say he plays the Selmer Paris SA80II, but he is recording and appearing only with the USA. The model 164 was only made for a few years, and the serial number would be around 822000, maybe up to 823000 or so. The alto at that time was the model 162 'Omega', which was Selmer USA's first and last attempt at a true professional sax, although any of their pro-line saxes are nice instruments. As to how they compare to a Selmer Paris, the quality is just not there. The USA's are nice horns, but not in the league with Selmer Paris. With that said, I feel I should point out that they still have the Selmer look, feel and for the most part, sound. I am one of two sax players in our band - I play an Omega alto and MK VI tenor, and the other guy plays a TS100 tenor. I think these horns are a great value and have their own sound. My alto, for example, has a huge 'vintage' robust sound, but can be played more in the Desmond mode with a mouthpiece change. The tenor has a more spread sound than a Mk VI, and could benefit from a Mk VI-style neck. When you get down to details, you can find that some keys can't be centered over the tone holes, keys are one-piece castings instead of forged and brazed two-piece construction, sometimes the bell seam is visible even through the lacquer, etc., but these are still heavy-gauge solid horns.