[rogcwilliams]

I been thinking long and hard about this "should i buy a ref 54" are they really as good as the hype seems to say i mean i know its a selmer and everything but you have to ask dont you !!!

i still have yet to play one but intend to sort that soon..i just curious as to what people think of them and if i should go for it.

 

[playitfunky]

Only you can do enough research and thinking to justify the purchase. Sounds like you fear buyers remorse. I think if you play the top of the line Selmers, Yamaha's, Yani's, maybe a couple JK etc etc, and then still like the ref 54 best then go for it. Once you do it don't look back be happy and play the horn for years and years. So my answer is it doesn't matter what I think, but IMO you can't go wrong with a top of the line saxophone like a Selmer ref 54. It will hold it's value, and you never know could even be worth more some day.

 

[Seasax]

try not to post the same question twice

 

[Saxplayer67]

Parts manufactured in China, one hears. Overpriced instrument, save your money!:shock:

 

[rogcwilliams]

try not to post the same question twice

That was constructive ...thanks

 

[rogcwilliams]

Only you can do enough research and thinking to justify the purchase. Sounds like you fear buyers remorse. I think if you play the top of the line Selmers, Yamaha's, Yani's, maybe a couple JK etc etc, and then still like the ref 54 best then go for it. Once you do it don't look back be happy and play the horn for years and years. So my answer is it doesn't matter what I think, but IMO you can't go wrong with a top of the line saxophone like a Selmer ref 54. It will hold it's value, and you never know could even be worth more some day.

Not a case of buyers remorse i just wanted some feedback from people who have played these sax's as i have readthat they are very similar to the original MK6, i have played the Yani,etc and already own a topline horn. but am thinking about one of these like i said.

Thanks for you comments tho

 

[heath]

The ref 54 was never like a VI, nor is the Ref 36 a balanced action. They have a vibe all their own.

I'm in the process of selling my VI. I'm going to keep my Ref 54 and 36 tenors. Set up is crucial to a well playing Ref horn, without a good set up they don't really live up to their full potential.

Also buy used, these horns and no horns for that matter are worth $5K.

 

[playitfunky]

Not a case of buyers remorse i just wanted some feedback from people who have played these sax's as i have readthat they are very similar to the original MK6, i have played the Yani,etc and already own a topline horn. but am thinking about one of these like i said.

Thanks for you comments tho

I played a ref 54 and liked it a lot.

 

[heath]

Parts manufactured in China, one hears. Overpriced instrument, save your money!:shock:

Parts made in China? As far as I know the real "Paris" Selmers have their parts made in the Paris factory. Now there are the Asian made Selmers, but they aren't stamped with Paris.

The 54 is worth the money, but not the current prices, that's why I suggested buying used. No one unless they've got lots of money should be spending $5K on a horn.

 

[selmer]

If you like how it plays and if "it works for you" ...then buy it. Jean Toussaint plays one and sounds awesome on it.

 

[Saxplayer67]

If you like how it plays and if "it works for you" ...then buy it. Jean Toussaint plays one and sounds awesome on it.

Toussaint no doubt would sound awsome on 99% of horns, Selmer :notworth: or otherwise...

 

[playitfunky]

Parts manufactured in China, one hears. Overpriced instrument, save your money!:shock:

Since Japan and China hate each other I guess we are safe buying Yamaha's?

I

 

[Dave C]

I have just bought a Ref 54 Alto.

I tried lots of horns in the store, including the Yani's and Yamaha's. The Ref 54 will replace my Keilwerth SX90R.

For me it came down to a choice between the Yamaha 82z and the Ref 54. In truth, for me there wasn't much between the two horns in terms of action and tone, but the Ref 54 seemed to have a little more depth and complexity to its tone. I think I could have been happy with either.

The big question is whether that difference in tone is worth the price difference of £1000. As I struggled with this weighty problem the guy in the store offered me a mint condition, lightly used Hummingbird for just £200 more than the price of the Yamaha, thereby saving me £800 on the price of a 'new' horn. That made my choice a lot easier.

I tend to agree with Heath. Very nice horn, but best if you can find a good second hand example.

 

[Bootman]

Definitely test drive a Flamingo Ref 36, there is a big difference between these horns and a standard 36. There is an even bigger difference between these Flamingos and ref 54.

I owned a ref 54 and found I dug the sound far more than the 36 at the time but alas it didn't work for me, no matter how many necks I used. I would also recommend test driving more than one example of the ref horns before you purchase one. There is a noticeable difference between the same models.

 

[Dr G]

Buy TWO. We need more second hand Refs available in the Marketplace by newbs that have more money than sense.

Oh yeah, two other things:

1) Welcome to SotW.

2) Please learn to use the Search function.

 

[RandyJ]

"i still have yet to play one but intend to sort that soon"


Why would you ask an opinion before playing one yourself and formulating you own views?

Play some, then if you like one well enough buy it!

I played several 54's set up by different people and shops and in the end went for a 36, and love it. But YOU have to play what YOU like and forget about opinions of others.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

That was constructive ...thanks

Not just constructive, but against the SOTW posting rules. The extraneous post has been deleted, and this conversation moved to the appropriate folder, SELMER PARIS.

 

[Al Stevens]

The ref 54 was never like a VI, nor is the Ref 36 a balanced action. They have a vibe all their own.

I'm in the process of selling my VI. I'm going to keep my Ref 54 and 36 tenors. Set up is crucial to a well playing Ref horn, without a good set up they don't really live up to their full potential.

Also buy used, these horns and no horns for that matter are worth $5K.

So, given that, how much less than $5K will you be asking for your VI?

 

[Grumps]

Should i buy a Refrence 54

Alto or tenor?
Huge difference.

 

[heath]

So, given that, how much less than $5K will you be asking for your VI?

I haven't decided. But you can rest assure like all my gear I usually sell it for cheap. I have less than $3K in it. I always lose money on everything I sell. I can't morally do what some people do and rape someone out of money. My mom instilled too much guilt in me I guess.

Bootman until the Flamingos show up in some other incarnation I doubt too many people can justify the expense. This is why I think a basic non F# 36 and 54 tenor should be offered to the masses. This business of trying to extract every single dollar out of a players pocket is wrong. In theory besides the pimp engraving and pretty pearls I think they could dump all that and just offer a basic horn for $3K less, sort of a tribute to the working man, instead of Selmers tribute to $$$$'s.