[Mike24]

...decided I want to buy one, (tenor that is) but just wondered if anyone knew whether the two different finishes change the tone? I've tried out the shiny engraved one and wondered if it's worth trying to track down one of the matt finished ones? Unless they sound exactly the same of course They seem to be a lot more responsive than my current SA/80/I and the tone's more my cup of tea than the series III but I'm a little concerned that everyone else has the matt finish and I'm wondering what I'm missing

 

[beezer]

That's strange Mike. You must have been posting at the same time as I was posting the engraving thread. Weird.
Cheers, Dave

 

[heath]

Go ahead and get the engraved lacquered 54. The matte finish won't sound any different. As for everyone else having the matte finish I have one and I've never run into another player that has had one. I think you'll be happy with the 54, but you should be if you're paying full price for one of these babies. Get the horn set up to your specs and you'll be much happier no matter what you do.

 

[fballatore]

Heath meet Frank. Frank, Heath. Fellow matte finish Ref 54 player. I got mine used, but in new condition. If I had bought new, I probably would have gone with the lacquer. Just prettier IMO. The finish doesn't affect the sound. Or does it? :twisted:

 

[gary]

...decided I want to buy one but just wondered if anyone knew whether the two different finishes change the tone?

:twisted:

 

[patseguin]

OMG, Gary you made me laugh my A** off this morning.

 

[gary]

OMG, Gary you made me laugh my A** off this morning.

I live to serve. :notworth:

 

[stevesklar]

that's funny and disgusting at the same time :shock:
(i'm eating my lunch right now)

IMHO, I don't think this particular finish - matte vs shiny lacquer is any diff. now plating vs lacquer i think it opens the perverbial (or real) can of worms.

 

[Martinman]

. As for everyone else having the matte finish I have one and I've never run into another player that has had one.

Every college/high school player and their brother who owns a Ref 54 has the matte finish. I think I know one guy who has a ref 54 alto with lacquer.

 

[heath]

I've seriously never run into anyone at a gig or jam that had a matte 54. I know it's weird because it seems these horns were pretty popular when they first came out.

I like the matte it doesn't show scratches you don't have to be so incredibly careful with it like I would my Ref 36. The matte finish is a horn you can go to work with and not worry.

 

[Martinman]

I've seriously never run into anyone at a gig or jam that had a matte 54. I know it's weird because it seems these horns were pretty popular when they first came out.

Come to Indianapolis during state music contest day. Matte 54s as far as the eye can see...

But what happens when the finish starts coming off? I bet that would look really bad.

 

[Grumps]

If I had to get a new Selmer tenor, I'd hold out for one of the Flamingos. Seriously. No F#3 key is reason enough, even though it's a 36 and not a 54.

 

[ShedShark]

I'm going to get a matte finish because I can't play well enough to justify all the attention I'd get with a shiny new horn. The other idea I had was to buy one with lac. and stress it out so it'd age quickly. Maybe yell at it a lot, make it get a job and make it work long hours, scream at it a lot, pour bourbon down the bell, lock it in the trunk and drive really fast while screaming "Ima keel you, Ima keel you!!!", let it catch me playing another horn that costs half as much and is brand new, and finally tell it how much I can't stand the Mark VI (it's mother) and how all it does is lay around the house, drink, stays stuffed with powdered donuts, it's turning green, and that it's pads stick. That might take too long, though, so I've opted for the matte finish.

 

[heath]

But what happens when the finish starts coming off? I bet that would look really bad.

Actually a good chunk of finish is missing from the left side of my 54. Basically want happens is my slobber gets all over the bare brass, the spot oxidizes and you've got instant touch up matte lacquer. Seriously you don't even notice it. Sure it looks like crap when it's all scratched up, but my VI and my VII really look like crap they're both lacquered, sort of. My ref 36 however is beautiful pearl, and to tell you the truth I prefer crappy looking horns, makes life less stressful.

And you can hold out for the no F# 36, but it's ain't going to be cheap, what is it almost $7K?

 

[Dr G]

Yeah, that's it. Buy the ugliest horn for the highest price you can find.

Seriously, that finish does NOT like worn lacquer. Nope, nope, nope. Just ugly.

 

[Grumps]

And you can hold out for the no F# 36, but it's ain't going to be cheap, what is it almost $7K?

Give it time. Seriously.
I mean, who's gonna want a new horn without an F#3 key?

 

[heath]

It's really not that bad. I think Joe Hendersons unengraved unlacquered VI was the inspiration for this nasty looking thing.

 

[heath]

Give it time. Seriously.
I mean, who's gonna want a new horn without an F#3 key?

Me for one. And so will all the other players. I still have all my F# holes plugged on all my tenors. That key on all the horns starting from soprano on up is just added dead weight. Actually I plugged the hole on my III soprano as well.

 

[Grumps]

Me for one. And so will all the other players.

I think those of us who don't like the added key are in a serious minority.

 

[heath]

It's a worthless key. There's nothing that one can't do on a horn that doesn't have a high F#. I also believe that dumping that key would start people on the path to making faster progress in the altissimo.