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I had a play test of the new Ref 36 Flamingo today. I was knocked out, this is the first Selmer I have played in years that had me excited, far more so than the Ref 54 or Mk VI's I used to own. Selmer have got it right, the no High F# key really opened up the altissimo and cross registers range of this horn.
The sound was centred in all registers, consistent with a Buescher tenor and far smoother than the ref 54 or series III I test drove. The bottom end is big and resonant without being boomy. The top end is very dark and colourful in timbre and tone. Overall the sound is big, dark, resonant and incredibly Flexible. It is very 10M like in this regard.
The Keywork is better balanced for larger hands, the right hand spacing isn't as offset as it is on the ref 54 or series III model. I found that it fit my hands like a glove. The spatula mechanism is mor emodern than an SBA model and feels beautifully tight under the fingers, there was no sloppy tilting Bb mechanism.
Intonation was great, effortless even with the the Forked E and F notes. The timbre of these notes through to the alt range was consistent. This is something that is usually missing, even on a good mk vi. I am going to have to buy one of these horns, if not today as soon as I have organised the cash. This is the first modern horn that has really given me everything I have been looking for in terms of sound since the Keilwerth Straight tenor.
Anyone else had a play of these horns yet?
Who owns a standard ref 36 with the extra key?
The sound was centred in all registers, consistent with a Buescher tenor and far smoother than the ref 54 or series III I test drove. The bottom end is big and resonant without being boomy. The top end is very dark and colourful in timbre and tone. Overall the sound is big, dark, resonant and incredibly Flexible. It is very 10M like in this regard.
The Keywork is better balanced for larger hands, the right hand spacing isn't as offset as it is on the ref 54 or series III model. I found that it fit my hands like a glove. The spatula mechanism is mor emodern than an SBA model and feels beautifully tight under the fingers, there was no sloppy tilting Bb mechanism.
Intonation was great, effortless even with the the Forked E and F notes. The timbre of these notes through to the alt range was consistent. This is something that is usually missing, even on a good mk vi. I am going to have to buy one of these horns, if not today as soon as I have organised the cash. This is the first modern horn that has really given me everything I have been looking for in terms of sound since the Keilwerth Straight tenor.
Anyone else had a play of these horns yet?
Who owns a standard ref 36 with the extra key?