[zorroperro]

Let's see what you think.

On Alto and in my experience, the best altissimo range comes from Serie II.
Close, the Mark VI and the Reference 54, Hummingbird the one I have.
Last, Serie III.

All of them have a very nice tone, I think the Mark VI has the best intonation... a wonderful sound, but from F#4 (concert A) (being the first note 1, this is, low C is C1) it starts to get hard to go on.

Serie III sounds beatiful, but just good at E4... for me...

Now, Serie II... up to C5... but the sound is not as good as the others... at the rest of the horns...

Mainly, with a Series II I have to be very careful with middle C#... (C#2)... it is always too low if you do not pay attention to it and if you come from a D2... you may get a very strong note compared with a softer one... being C#2 a more free blowing note than D2 the Series II is not as good as the Mark VI which has a more even sound...

 

[macdaddysax26]

I think it depends on the specific instrument. I had a Reference with difficult altissimo response, and a III with great altissimo.

I also know people that can't hit anything above Bb on their IIIs consistently. Player, more than horn, determines what you can and cannot do.

 

[amoram]

On my series II, I get to the D#4. On my ref54, I get to D#5. I also think it's just a matter of who plays it.

 

[zorroperro]

Yes, you are right...

It depends who plays it... I think you are right.

 

[Bootman]

Any horn without High F# key plays better altissimo. Old Bueschers, Conns and Martins have the best altissimo response.

 

[RandyJ]

From my MKVI alto, through two very good MKVI tenors, also good (but short lived) Series II up to my current new Ref 36, the 36 has the easiest and best altissimo and from low Bb up to B & C 4 has the best intonation also.

 

[CountSpatula]

Any horn without High F# key plays better altissimo. Old Bueschers, Conns and Martins have the best altissimo response.

The weird thing is me and my friend both agree my Reference 54 w/ F# key plays altissimo way easier than my Buescher w/ no F# key :|

 

[Seasax]

i find my SBA has harmonics that beat every other horn i have ever played....

 

[zorroperro]

Any horn without High F# key plays better altissimo. Old Bueschers, Conns and Martins have the best altissimo response.

Haven't had that experience, but I have played very good Mark VI's without that key. I think that the best sounding horn I have ever played appeared here at Mexico and had not the F# Key...

But my fingerings demand that key. I use it for my altissimo and blowing out A4's without it I just do not imagine how...

All the best,

JI

 

[Martinman]

The weird thing is me and my friend both agree my Reference 54 w/ F# key plays altissimo way easier than my Buescher w/ no F# key :|

I have found that modern Selmer tenors have easier altissimo that older horns, although it is a lot thinner sounding. I think it is because of the somewhat brighter sound, but I really don't know.

 

[soybean]

Any horn without High F# key plays better altissimo.

Can anyone explain why this is? thanks

 

[bruce bailey]

More metal at the top of the body??? The best altissimo on an alto that I have (of about 18) is a lowly Bundy II!!!

 

[Bootman]

The best horns for altissimo are old Bueschers, next is Martins, then Conns and then Selmers. The Selmer altissimo is generally thinner and harder to slot than any of the vintage American horns. Although the exception is the new 36 Flamingo whihc has fantastic altissimo response, easier intonation and a solidity of tone that you dont associate with Selmer saxes. I have found this same altissimo thinness in Yanis, Yamahas and in most modern saxes based on the Selmer design.

 

[soybean]

"I have found this same altissimo thinness in Yanis, Yamahas and in most modern saxes based on the Selmer…"

Yes, i've noticed this on my yamaha tenor, but not on the MK VI which has great altissimo. You mentioned the 36 Flamingo is good. Did you also try the Ref 54 tenor?

 

[soybean]

I'm still wondering why the high F# has any bearing. Could it be the tone-hole cut in the tube?

 

[zorroperro]

I'm still wondering why the high F# has any bearing. Could it be the tone-hole cut in the tube?

That is my guess, but Hey! There are incredible sounding horns with F# key. I have 4 of them, all Selmers.

 

[A.Smith]

No one's mentioned the series III with the extra harmonic key?

 

[calisax]

I think it depends on the specific instrument. I had a Reference with difficult altissimo response, and a III with great altissimo.

I also know people that can't hit anything above Bb on their IIIs consistently. Player, more than horn, determines what you can and cannot do.

Yeah dude... Depends on the instrument. I've played some pretty crappy VI's, and some better Bundy's. The best altissimo I've ever pumped out was actually on an old 'true tone.'

 

[heath]

Series III hands down in both the alto and tenor, especially the tenor version. The III responds much faster than most of the other selmers.

Of course there's a trade off. Resistance isn't always a bad thing and eventually it may be what you want when you're more developed.

 

[SuperAction80]

Any horn without High F# key plays better altissimo. Old Bueschers, Conns and Martins have the best altissimo response.

I'm actually starting to believe this statement. The horns I've played with the best altissimo register have either been vintage or student models. These are my ratings according to my experiences.

Alto
Student Armstrong, YAS-23, Conn NW, King Cleveland, King Super 20, Yamaha 875, Mark VI, Series III, Series II

Tenor
YTS-23, Buescher 400, Buescher Aristocrat, King Super 20, Conn 10M, Selmer S80, Selmer Ref 36, Selmer Ref 54

Of course other things have to be considered. Playing condition of the horn, neck angle and how the player holds the horn, and the type of mouthpiece all are factors. Like I said previously, I think that many of the student models out perform many pro horns in the altissimo register at the expense of intonation and tone.