View Full Version : SA80II vs. Series III
my local sax shop sells SA80IIs and series IIIs. does anyone have any opinions on which is 'better'?
The II is considered by some to ba a classical horn but I disagree. The II has a nice big, dark sound(Stanley Turrentine played one). Very nice low end. The III is considered one of Selmers best. I played a couple that were as good as my VI. Very responsive, excellent keywork, great sound. It's really up to you to try and decide. They are both great horns and either one will do what ever you ask of it.
my local sax shop sells SA80IIs and series IIIs. does anyone have any opinions on which is 'better'?
Yes. The Series II alto is better than the Serie II tenor. :lol: If you're talking tenors, you need to look at several more horns - including the Ref 36 and 54. They are all different and, consequently, each better for different players.
yeah a ref would be great... but i gotta eat and stuff...
from what people are saying i think the series III might be what i'm looking for. i'll give them both a try though...
Tears June
03-14-2003, 05:25 PM
There are different finish for Series III - Clear Lacquered, Matte (without engraved) , Brushed Engraved, Silver plated.
Any difference of their sound?
:cry:
yeah a ref would be great... but i gotta eat and stuff...
from what people are saying i think the series III might be what i'm looking for. i'll give them both a try though...
You can get amazingly close to a Ref by adding a Ref neck to a III. The main difference beyond that is the left palm keys - higher on the III, closed to the body tube (ala older horns) on the Ref's.
All are potentially great horns. Just earlier this week, I was thinking about buying yet another tenor. I just returned from my quartet rehearsal where I played my Ref 36 for two hours straight. Whew, I'd be hardpressed to replace this horn. Wonderful tone, great response, superb intonation - it gives me the confidence to go after the most challenging passages and not hold back. Superb.
Dr G.
Why did you choose Ref 36 over 54 ?
I think the 54 has darker sound than Series III and 36, but the same key work.
Tears June
03-16-2003, 03:52 PM
Dr G
I know you like the Ref 36 very much. But I heard some players said Ref 36 has very high resistant. Example: Octave key has more slow response than Series III & Ref 54. Is it true according to your experience on Series III & Ref 36? Can a tech adjust such resistant?
Another question is Series III is more bright sound compare with Series II (I've test both horn) but is it same brightness with Ref 36?
If Ref 36 is less bright than Series III, what about compare with Ref 54? I remember Ref 54 is more center, focus & more dark sound.
:cry:
Dr G
I know you like the Ref 36 very much. But I heard some players said Ref 36 has very high resistant. Example: Octave key has more slow response than Series III & Ref 54. Is it true according to your experience on Series III & Ref 36? Can a tech adjust such resistant?
Another question is Series III is more bright sound compare with Series II (I've test both horn) but is it same brightness with Ref 36?
If Ref 36 is less bright than Series III, what about compare with Ref 54? I remember Ref 54 is more center, focus & more dark sound.
I am afraid that I do not know what you mean by "resistant". I thought previously that when you said "resistant" that you were referring to a perceived resistance to air flow. Now you ask about the octave key response and seem to call that "resistance". I have absolutely no such problems with my horn - either a resistance to airflow or problems with the mechanism. The two ensembles with whom I perform play music that is technically challenging. I have bought and sold several other tenors in the last many years that have not met my needs or expectations. The fact that the Ref 36 remains a favorite horn substantiates the fact that I consider it among the best horns available.
The III is brighter than the Ref 36 in my experience. The 36 has more midrange punch as well as a fuller low end response. Still, they are sufficiently close in response that I could tailor the tone with appropriate selection of mouthpiece and reed - the III, 36, and 54 are very close. My final choice came down to ergonomics of the mechanism, finish, and response of the individual horn. After considerable experimentation with the III when that was my main horn (before the Ref 36), I settled on a Barone sterling Jazz 8 for jazz and a Morgan 3C for classical.
Tears June
03-23-2003, 04:32 PM
Dr G
If you only have 2 choice - a Series III & Ref 54, which one you will pick up? Why?
In case if Series III is your choice, any specific finish you like - Normal clear lacquered, Matte, Brush Finished, Silver Plated ot Black lacquered. Why?
:cry:
It's been said many times and many ways before - buying a horn is a personal thing. Would you have this forum (or even some other) choose your spouse?
You need to make a decision of your own and commit to buying a horn. If you keep relying on others to make your choice, I predict that you will either never buy a horn or, if you do buy a horn, that you will be unhappy and blame everyone else for your mistake.
I have owned a lacquer III. I sold it when I bought my Ref 36 which I still prefer to the III. More recently I have bought a Borgani which I prefer to the Ref 36 in some situations but not all (yet).
Why limit choices to a III or a Ref 54? Why fixate on a Selmer when you can have something else?
GHawk
04-01-2003, 02:15 AM
Dr G -
Funny - I own a Serie II tenor and it's the BEST horn I've ever played. I had a Serie II alto and I didn't like it - I prefer the III alto. I wouldn't take TWO Ref. 54's for my II tenor, though.
GottaSax
04-01-2003, 07:54 PM
ive got a III alto...i picked that III over the II. The III is more of a rich tone- but dont take my word for it....go play some yourself!
Brian
danodownunder
08-20-2003, 10:09 AM
I have a series 11 tenor which is the best or on a par with any of the best horns out there. i repair and get to play a lot of them and there is only a reed in it between the best selmer horns the setup you use is sooooo important, matching a horn to mthpce and reed is an ART, necks also.
TheChristianSax
08-21-2003, 10:09 PM
The thing that I find interesting about all of this is the fact that everyone seems to have a store or some kind of outlet that carries all of these horns. I live in the Dallas area, and I have yet to find a store that carries a II, III, Ref.36 or 54. I am looking to purchase a new alto, but play testing a variety is a real problem. They have guitar superstores, where are the sax superstores? :lol:
Sincerely,
Matt
Dr G -
Funny - I own a Serie II tenor and it's the BEST horn I've ever played. I had a Serie II alto and I didn't like it - I prefer the III alto. I wouldn't take TWO Ref. 54's for my II tenor, though.
Funny - that wasn't among the options in the question that I answered. :roll: It does, however, drive home the point I made in my opening statement - that choosing a horn is a personal thing. :wink:
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