[dostoevsky]

BA vs SBA selmer tenor

Tenor saxophones :

Selmer Balanced Action 22*** BA (one of the first BA prototype with long bell)
VS
Selmer Super "Balanced" Action 54*** SBA (one of the last SBA)

Hi everybody!

I'm glad to share this video test of my woderful horns:

Tenor Saxophone Selmer Balanced Action s/n 22***
VS
Tenor Saxophone Selmer Super "Balanced" Action 54***

The mouthpiece :

Otto Link Florida "Straight" signature 7* hard rubber

The reed : I always rework my reed, it could be any brand. Finally it sounds always the same way.

The first time I play BA with soft sound. The second time SBA with the same dynamics. The third time it's BA with a little bit more power. And the fourth time SBA with some power also.

Like, dislike, comment, share, question are wellcome.

If you want to take some lessons via Skype with me, be free to contact me by private message. I give the lessons for everybody in English, French and Russian.

See you!!!!!

 

[saxcop]

I prefer the BA. However they sound really close. The SBA is a tad brighter.

 

[dostoevsky]

I prefer the BA. However they sound really close. The SBA is a tad brighter.

yep...even through the mobile camera I feel the same thing about the brightness..generally the old school jazzman's prefer the BA and people who play differents styles prefer the SBA

 

[mrpeebee]

The BA sounds in my ears a bit more focused and with less presence than the SBA, but both are close and sound very nice. The SBA seems to get a bit brighter when pushed, but with lower air stream it's also dark (so maybe a bit more versatile compared to the BA). I like both and you play them very well.

I did a compare like that 2012, but between three Selmers (a 1938 BA, a 1953 SBA and a 1980 SA80). My conclusion where about the same. Here are two of the clips:

- 1938 BA: https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11777307
- 1953 SBA: https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11777308

 

[jswers]

I agree with Mrpeebee. I prefer the SBA, it just seems to have a little thicker sound with a good balance, with a little brightness and color to bring it alive. Overall, you sound good on either. Congrats on having two fantastic horns!

 

[dostoevsky]

The BA sounds in my ears a bit more focused and with less presence than the SBA, but both are close and sound very nice. The SBA seems to get a bit brighter when pushed, but with lower air stream it's also dark (so maybe a bit more versatile compared to the BA). I like both and you play them very well.

I did a compare like that 2012, but between three Selmers (a 1938 BA, a 1953 SBA and a 1980 SA80). My conclusion where about the same. Here are two of the clips:

- 1938 BA: https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11777307
- 1953 SBA: https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11777308

Hi, thank you for your comment. It is interesting what you say. I feel + - the same thing. Personally I like more my SBA because it sounds more ALTO for my ears.
And your test seems a little like the mine, your BA sounds realy like tenor and your SBA more "female" in good direction. Good job anyway!!!

 

[mrpeebee]

Thanks dostoevsky.

The BA is from a friend, the SBA is mine. Actually the SBA is more of a beast compared to the BA, but that doesn't come through very well in the sound clips.

 

[pontius]

I like the BA. I like the depth, air and texture of the sound. Your lines and melodic ideas seem more compelling and cohesive on the BA IMO.

 

[dostoevsky]

I like the BA. I like the depth, air and texture of the sound. Your lines and melodic ideas seem more compelling and cohesive on the BA IMO.

it's a pity or may be not, but I have no the same musical idea on differents horns. And it is true, on BA my melodic is more "horizontal" may be than on SBA.

 

[dostoevsky]

I agree with Mrpeebee. I prefer the SBA, it just seems to have a little thicker sound with a good balance, with a little brightness and color to bring it alive. Overall, you sound good on either. Congrats on having two fantastic horns!

than you man!) I talked ontime with repairman who is not a very good specialist about the history of sax. He wanted to sell me his BA. When i said that i am looking for Super Balanced Action and that I am not very interested by BA he said me that they are all SUPER horns and there is no difference between BA and SBA, it was real fun)))

 

[jgreiner]

I like 'em both! I'd say the SBA seems to be ever so slightly brighter (more edge) with perhaps a tad more directional tone. Having said that, it's VERY minimum. That certainly doesn't mean the BA sounds "dull" or too spread.....just a tad different, which is certainly to be expected. Both sound great.......and you as well!

 

[Garianda]

I prefer BA too..

 

[dostoevsky]

I agree with you the difference is really not so important. Even two SBA with the same serial range can sound the different way, and this difference may be more improtant for musican. There are some videos sur web with Chris Potter where he plays differents horns and it sounds similar, but i am sure that he had not the same impressions on each of those horn

 

[dostoevsky]

I like 'em both! I'd say the SBA seems to be ever so slightly brighter (more edge) with perhaps a tad more directional tone. Having said that, it's VERY minimum. That certainly doesn't mean the BA sounds "dull" or too spread.....just a tad different, which is certainly to be expected. Both sound great.......and you as well!

I agree with you the difference is really not so important. Even two SBA with the same serial range can sound the different way, and this difference may be more improtant for musican. There are some videos sur web with Chris Potter where he plays differents horns and it sounds similar, but i am sure that he had not the same impressions on each of those horn

 

[jgreiner]

I agree with you the difference is really not so important. Even two SBA with the same serial range can sound the different way, and this difference may be more improtant for musican. There are some videos sur web with Chris Potter where he plays differents horns and it sounds similar, but i am sure that he had not the same impressions on each of those horn

Correct! You have two great horns with slightly different personalities. Play one for a while, then compare them again. I'd bet that you end up switching from time to time.......and that's not a bad thing!

 

[whaler]

My personal opinion is the SBAs I’ve tried just sounded like my MarkVI, but I bought a BA because it’s a whole different animal in the way it feels and plays.
I’ve found my BA has a quicker more immediate response and feels more malleable soundwise and my Mark VI more centered and focused.
I’m no expert, but i guess the classical guys got more involved in Selmer and each progressive model got darker and darker.

 

[dostoevsky]

My personal opinion is the SBAs I’ve tried just sounded like my MarkVI, but I bought a BA because it’s a whole different animal in the way it feels and plays.
I’ve found my BA has a quicker more immediate response and feels more malleable soundwise and my Mark VI more centered and focused.
I’m no expert, but i guess the classical guys got more involved in Selmer and each progressive model got darker and darker.

I think if you can have two horns it is the best idea. a lot of pro sax players have several horns and several mouthpieces.

 

[Bjroosevelt]

Two reasons I don’t own an SBA anymore. One of them is that I couldn’t make it sound like that!. At my skill level, it just sounded excessively bright. You gotta nice sound! All 4 performances........but my gut is that with the SBA, you are more polished. Clean and different. Very Cool!

 

[dostoevsky]

Two reasons I don’t own an SBA anymore. One of them is that I couldn’t make it sound like that!. At my skill level, it just sounded excessively bright. You gotta nice sound! All 4 performances........but my gut is that with the SBA, you are more polished. Clean and different. Very Cool!

so which horn do you play?

 

[Bjroosevelt]

so which horn do you play?

Primary tenor is a Mark VII. Also have an Conn Shooting Star from the mid 50s. Love the sound on the Shooting Star, but the finger action is so much better on the Mark VII....so I use the Mark VII.