[angelito]

Hello fellows, my name is Angel, from Argentina, and i´ve been following your forum and reading your posts, they´ve al been very useful to me.
From a couple of months to now i´ve been intrested in moving on to selmer, and two of their saxes are finally among my choices: Series II Jubille and Reference 54 Tenor. Ive tried both, and y particularly liked more the ref, but i think the series ii i played needed some adjustment.
What do you think about both? What would your choice be? I play swing, blues, bossa and rock most of the time.
I know i would have to pay some extra hundred dollars to get the ref, but i would do it if it is worth it.
Please, i need your opinions to make up my mind!!!
Thanks in advance

 

[dogster]

Jubillee is nice but overpriced Reference 54 is a great horn I prefer a darker sound horn myself

 

[belliott]

I play a Reference 54 tenor and have found nothing better for me.

 

[angelito]

Do you think that the reference has a darker sound than the series ii? thanks!!!

 

[saxmusicguy]

Did you try a Series III tenor as well? The Series III tenors have received some good press here (much more than the Series III altos).

 

[angelito]

thank you belliott!!

 

[angelito]

not yet, they weren´t available in the store were i will probably buy my next sax (ill probably get a discount).
Thank you, i should try them!!

 

[Dr G]

If looking for a darker sound, the Ref 36 is darker than the 54 - the III is the brightest of the Selmer tenors.

(I owned both a III and a 36.)

 

[ikbtops]

I'd go for the reference.

 

[angelito]

Thanks a lot to all of you!! Great community!! Waht about the pros and cons of both saxes?

 

[saxmusicguy]

If looking for a darker sound, the Ref 36 is darker than the 54 ...

Waht about the pros and cons of both saxes?

Reference 36 and 54 differences: http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?152501-Reference-54-and-36-differences

 

[Roger Nordling]

I vote for the series II. It has the meatiest sound of all modern selmers. Kind of heavy sound with some edge. The ref 54 I have tried did not have a inspiring sound to me.

 

[piwikiwi]

I vote for the series II. It has the meatiest sound of all modern selmers. Kind of heavy sound with some edge. The ref 54 I have tried did not have a inspiring sound to me.

the ref 54 lets you work for your tone instead of giving it to you.

 

[jlima]

the ref 54 lets you work for your tone instead of giving it to you.

Very true!

 

[Dr G]

I'd characterize my experiences with many 54 tenors as "They tease you into believing that you can work for your tone but never deliver."

The Ref 54 is little more than a dressed up Serie III with a different neck.

 

[Grumps]

The II tenors don't seem to get the same praise as II altos, and the few I've played just didn't do it for me. III tenors are bright, but for me have more of that wow factor. I'd take a 54 tenor over a II any day, but for the tacky finish of the 54. Definitely try a 36 if you can. For some reason the 36's that first came out all seemed to have more of a reduced taper at the mouthpiece end of the neck, and I was biased against them for some time. I've tried later ones since though that were pleasant enough, and they are probably Selmer's darkest horn out there today.

 

[CarlHeanerd]

I never cared for the Selmer Paris tenors in general, but I like the Reference 54 the best, by far. It compared favorably to my Barone, surprisingly.

 

[dzve]

I prefer the reference.......

 

[Steve Stockham]

As with most things, go with "your gut!" Which one "sings" to you? If neither, I'd keep looking. I'm also of the opinion that a Ref 36 should be one you try before you buy! (Say, that's kinda "catchy!") I like it better than the 54. Now the Series II is a good horn but you really need to try one that's playing properly to get an honest comparison (I like the Ser. II better than the III but I also prefer a darker sound.) In any event, one of those four should meet your needs! :bluewink:

 

[angelito]

Thanks a lot Steve ando you all, it looks as i ll have to test a 36, but i dont know wether they will be available here in Buenos Aires or not. Ill ask the store in which ive tested the 54 and series ii. About the latter, i think the one i played was not properly set up, and that really made a difference in my opinion towards the 54.
All your opinios are of so much value for me !(sorry for my english)