[shane1]

I bought a new Selmer Reference 54 alto from an authorized retailer on May 20, 2007. While at a lesson a couple of weeks ago, the tone hole guard weld seperated from the bell. I called the retailer to get it fixed and they instructed me that I would be better off going to a local dealer to get if fixed. That day, I took it to the local dealer for repair and I was expecting it to be sent back to Selmer for repair and that I would be without it for a few weeks. To my surprise the dealer called me a couple of days later and said that it was done! I immediately went down to pick it up and I was horrified at the repair. The dealer decided to do it themselves instead of sending it back to Selmer. They welded it back on but not in the same spot and it looks at though they used a blow torch because it ruined the surrounding lacquer.:x They ruined my $4,000 sax and acted like they did me a big favor.

I called Selmer today directly and they were wonderful to deal with. I will be sending my horn back to them tomorrow and they are going to send me a new replacement. They were great to deal with. Thank you Selmer.

The only thing I am concerned with is this is the best sounding and playing horn I have ever has the pleasure of owning and I hope the replacement is just as good.

shane

 

[gary]

A couple of weeks ago the guard on my lower stack also came separated from the body. The store that sold it to me has a repair shop and the repair guy said he could solder it back but some lacquer discolouration would show. I really don't care as long as he does a good job, so I said go ahead and do it. There is some discolouration but I would expect it.

However, the metal ring where the discolouration is can be replaced and we decided to do that. My horn was serviceable in the meantime and when the ring would arrive it could easily be replaced and my horn would almost look as good as new. But here's what Selmer told him. Now I'm assuming you are dealing with the US Selmer representatives and not my friends over the border. Paris Selmer said they would not send this little metal band. They wanted the ENTIRE SAX. What idiots. Think of the shipping costs alone. Turn around time would be at least a month. I declined and the repair guy gave them an earfull.

Great sax (Serie II), excellent set-up and service locally, but those Baguette-breathed bums across the border have got some strange customer-service ideas. Ship it to them, indeed.

 

[ianhart]

Welcome back Gary! And wow, it seems like it would be SOOOO much better if they just sent the stupid ring over... Nice experience for shane1, though!

 

[Swampcabbage]

Perhaps they are noticing some issues in the soldering production that have caused them to make ad-hoc recalls.

 

[shane1]

"Now I'm assuming you are dealing with the US Selmer representatives....."

Yes, I dealt with Selmer USA.

"Paris Selmer said they would not send this little metal band. They wanted the ENTIRE SAX. What idiots. Think of the shipping costs alone. Turn around time would be at least a month."

I was told that they do not trust the retailers to do the work up to thier expectations is the reason they require it shipped back to them. In your case, I do not agree but in mine......maybe a good idea.

shane

 

[heath]

Trying to get parts from Paris (Selmer) is next to impossible. I've tried in the past and gave up. If you send your horn back to Paris it will be more than a few weeks without it, try more like months.

 

[rogerb40uk]

Yet another reason for my being happy dealing with intelligent and helpful sax-makers who care about their customers (Oh yes, and who speak the same language as I...more or less!)

 

[shane1]

Luckily I am returning mine to Selmer US and they are going to ship one asap from the warehouse. They told me it will take about 1 week from Monday due to the holiday.

shane

 

[heath]

That's good news. Now you'll have to get the new horn set up again and if I was you I would have kept the neck, if you really liked that horn. The bodies on selmers are pretty consistent, but the necks are another matter, finding a good neck makes all the difference.

 

[Thomas]

I would double check with whomever you spoke with at Selmer and make sure they aren't doing a "Factory rebuild" which would include a buff/relacquer. Hoping I'm wrong but it seems it's worth another phone call to make sure.

 

[shane1]

Thanks for the heads up. Just got off the phone and it will be a new one.

shane

 

[heath]

Ask them if you can keep the neck or if they can send the original back. If the response of the new horn isn't what you want then it would be a bummer. Me personally I'd rather have a factory repair a horn that I really like.

What's going to happen to the smucks that did the lousy repair job on your horn?

 

[shane1]

Well, as far as that goes the horn has been sent back with it's neck. All I can do for now is hope for the best. I do have a PB Copper neck that is very similar in tone and playability to the neck I just sent back.

If it is not what I expect I could always sell it and not take such as loss as i would with the bad repair job.

As for the dealer repair, Selmer just sadi they would discuss the repair with them and charge my new horn to thier account. I am not sure what that means, if anything.

shane

Ask them if you can keep the neck or if they can send the original back. If the response of the new horn isn't what you want then it would be a bummer. Me personally I'd rather have a factory repair a horn that I really like.

What's going to happen to the smucks that did the lousy repair job on your horn?