A Vi is a Vi is a VI.... as I said some time ago I tried several alto horns new and vintage. I liked the YAS62II as new horn and MKVI as vintage... it is just my personal experience but the results are not so different... I tried the following horns (unfortunately only one horn for each model except the VI):

NEW
1) Ref. 54
2) YAS82Z
3) YAS62II
4) YAS875

VINTAGE
1) Buesher Aristocrat
2) Conn 6M
3) Selmer SBA
4) Selmer MKVI
5) YAS62

Stan

 

Thought folks here might find this recent review useful:
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Alto/Selmer_Ref54_alto.htm

Yep. Seen it. Should have. It was my horn. Once Steve ironed out the problems with it, it was superb, but alas, I sold it due to family illness and time off work. It was either the ref 54 alto or my beloved delacquered Serie II Tenor, which just so happens to be the best saxophone I have EVER played. Before the Tenor went to Steve, it was just like many other Serie II's. Not any more.

I'm pleased to say the Ref went to an established forum member whom is very happy with it, and rightly so.

 

I think this just illustrates how important it is to buy a horn from a dealer who provides a thorough set-up for the customer. I'm glad I ended-up buying my Ref 54 alto from Tim Glesmann at Sax Alley. It's always played like a dream.

I found it strange that this review kept comparing the Ref 54 alto to a Mark VI, especially in the playing portion of the review. The Mark VIs were produced over the course of two decades, and went through many changes along the way. I've only played about half dozen VI altos in my life and they were all way different from each other. The Ref 54 may have been built "in the spirit of the Mark VI," meaning a darker and more spread tone, but the Mark VIs and new Ref altos are just different animals. doesn't really make sense to compare them.....

 

I suppose that he commented on the comparison with the Mark VI because the manufacturer of the product (i.e., Selmer) makes that connection in its own marketing, as you mentioned. If Selmer is going to put out that comparison, then it seems to be reasonable for a reviewer to comment on that. And, since his comments convey the idea that the two are "different animals", as you suggest yourself, it seems that everyone is in agreement, except perhaps Selmer.

 

And, since his comments convey the idea that the two are "different animals", as you suggest yourself, it seems that everyone is in agreement, except perhaps Selmer.

exactly. in the marketing, they use the term "in the spirit of." That's a pretty loose term. What it has caused, for me anyway, is that people will ask me, "dude, why did you buy a Ref when you could have just bought an actual VI?"

or "dude, why did you by a copy of a Mark VI when a Custom Z is so much better and cheaper?"

I bought my Ref 54 purly for it's great tone and the way it projects. When I heard about the the potential flaws (gurgling and such), I decided to go through a local dealer/tech who promised me that he would set the horn up and evaluate it for any potential design flaws. If I wasn't happy with the horn, I could opt not to buy. But as it turned out I was happy with the horn. Very happy

Russ - I'm sorry you had to part with that horn. I'm sure it was especially difficult after having it adjusted and getting playing better.

 

Hi Sweetsax,

Thanks for the kind words. It was a bit of a bummer at the time, but I had no hesitation and no regrets. Steve had the work done in no time and there was little or no additional cost to the initial set up.

The horn was purchased from a music store that has 'everything under one roof', so it definately was not set up in store. That said, it would have made little difference as I book all my new aquisitions in with Steve H.

It's all 'by the bye' now, and I really don't miss the Ref as I thought I would. I'm actually playing a killer B&S and 62 at present, so any hankering after another Selmer alto is 'on ice' at present

Regards.