[Route.C]

Hi everyone...
I'am considering an upgrade on my current sax which is a Yamaha tenor 275 to a pro level alto sax. which I really need help on...
Over here in New Zealand there aren't many shops at which they sell good second hand saxophones so I've considered getting over the net from australia.. There were 3 saxophones which I'am thinking about:
1. Selmer Super Action 80 Series 2
Serial#549,xxx, apparently original Silverplate, new Kangaroo pads. AU$ 3,550
2. Yamaha YAS875 custom
Serial #010,xxx, looks near new too AU$ 3,400
3. Yamaha YAS82Z custom
Serial #002,xxx, also looks near new with a bit of lacquer loss AU$ 3,200

Here is the site: ( with pictures )
http://secondhandsaxes.com.au/Alto.html

I've heard alot of recommendation for the Yamaha 82z/875 series but at the same time I am really interested in getting a Selmer Super Action...

judging by the pictures, description, experience etc...
Which of these saxophones would you recommend getting ?

Sorry about the open question... It's just that I am a little bit skeptical... actually rather more scared that if I bought the Selmer SA and found out that it's nothing more than junk...
( I don't think there would be any problems with the Yamaha's judging by its image )

thanks... Chris

 

[gary]

Chris, first to put my comments into perspective - I play a Selmer Serie II alto and love it. I chose it over most other altos out there. I own a Yamaha 82Z tenor and I had a YTS 875 on loan for several weeks to try out.

First off, my last choice in Selmer tenors would be the Serie II. Although I love my Selmer alto, when I tried out the tenors I preferred the Serie III and Ref 54s over the Serie II.

The differences between the Z and 875 are to be found an several threads if you want to seek them out, so I won't elaborate here. Generally speaking, I would say the Z has a lighter or warmer sound than the 875, which is a bit darker and more robust.

I notice on that web site that the prices are similar. You've chosen some good horns. This is a tough call because I wouldn't personally rate any of them head-and-shoulders over the other.

 

[pc1234]

Looks like he is talking about altos, not tenors (I was confused, too, until I looked at the pictures...)

That is indeed a tough call. But given that we are talking altos here, I think the Series II in Silver Plate with Roo pads to boot sounds pretty sweet...

 

[Martinman]

I prefer the Series II.

 

[gary]

Looks like he is talking about altos, not tenors...

Oh jeez, yeah. In that case, since less than a year ago I went through this, I chose a Selmer Serie II alto but I thought the YAS EX was pretty sweet. Nothing wrong with the Z either, although I thought the tone of the Serie II was more weighty, which I preferred over the Z. If it was a choice of the Selmer or the Z, I would (did) take the Selmer. Choice of Selmer over the EX, I'd still go with the Selmer but not by much. You really can't go wrong with either.

 

[J.Max]

Depends on what you're going to use it for...if you're using it in a university setting, I'd go for the Selmer. If you're mostly a jazz player, the Z. If you're mostly a classical guy, the 875.

I personally prefer the 875s of those choices, but that's because that's what I "grew up" playing. That SA-80 with silverplate and roo pads might be tough to beat though...

 

[Route.C]

Yea.. Sorry about that. I should have clarified that... I'm after an alto
I'll be using this saxophone for more academic purposes so small jazz combos etc ... So I'll need one that will be very reliable and is also a good buy for the price...

Judging by the picture do you think it would be safe to get the Selmer ? by its condition and all...
The only thing holding me back is that I'm just a bit concerned about buying it without having to play it... and because I don't have much experience buying things online... and to be honest this is the first time getting a good saxophone on my own so I'm a bit hesitant.

Thanks for all the replies
Chris

 

[decade]

It's too bad you can't play test them first. This is big money...

 

[J.Max]

Yea.. Sorry about that. I should have clarified that... I'm after an alto
I'll be using this saxophone for more academic purposes so small jazz combos etc ... So I'll need one that will be very reliable and is also a good buy for the price...

Judging by the picture do you think it would be safe to get the Selmer ? by its condition and all...
The only thing holding me back is that I'm just a bit concerned about buying it without having to play it... and because I don't have much experience buying things online... and to be honest this is the first time getting a good saxophone on my own so I'm a bit hesitant.

Thanks for all the replies
Chris

Yes. Series IIs are very durable horns. It would be nice to see a picture of it though...if it's in good condition, it should be fine. If anything, they have BETTER reputations than Yamahas. Sometimes they need a set up, but you'll find that with any horn.

 

[Route.C]

Yes. Series IIs are very durable horns. It would be nice to see a picture of it though...if it's in good condition, it should be fine. If anything, they have BETTER reputations than Yamahas. Sometimes they need a set up, but you'll find that with any horn.

Sorry I can't get the image to fit into this Reply but you can have a look at this site:

SELMER PARIS SA80 SERIES 2
http://secondhandsaxes.com.au/images/alto/series2 silver 549,xxx.jpg

YAMAHA YAS875 CUSTOM
http://secondhandsaxes.com.au/images/alto/yas875 010,xxx.jpg

It's going for AU$ 3,550 and the other yamaha horns which looks newer than the selmer are 200-400 dollars less, Why is that ? is it because the Super Action Series II saxophone is a higher model / better quality compared to the yamaha horns ? or just because of the Logo 'Selmer Paris' at the front ?

thanks
Chris

 

[BYOB]

Generally, Yamaha has higher production rates, I believe. That's why the price tag is lower than Selmer's (they just got back from going on strike half a year ago at the Selmer factory).

All of them are amazing horns. For me, I picked the 82z, and I don't regret it a bit at all. Don't let labels deter you - the 82z is a very capable classical horn, as well as the 875EX being an excellent jazz horn.