L3F1 MUSIC

Selmer Alto

Taiwan Saxophone Industry

While many know the reputation Taiwan has in the manufacturing of high-tech electrical components, few may know of the growing saxophone business based in Houli. Long known as the music capital of Taiwan, Houli is located in a rural township in northwestern Taichung County. This area is also known for sugar cane, soybean, grapes, wine, and iron plants. While the population of Houli is about 50,000, it produces an amazing 40,000 saxophones a year.

 

The Taiwan saxophone industry dates back to just after World War II when Chang Lien-Cheng, a farmer's son that abandoned the family land to become a painter and musician, created an organized Jazz Band in 1945. Their performances throughout Taiwan were widely acclaimed until the area suffered a great fire and the only saxophone of the band was so seriously damaged that it could not be played any longer. Chang began by making an accurate drawing of the saxophone which contained about 400 components. He then started to transform the drawing into a real saxophone. After 3½ years, the first handmade Taiwan saxophone was made. Due to its very good quality, people all over Taiwan began to be captivated by the saxophone. Until Chang's death several years ago, he trained a number of apprentices, and in the process, launched a lucrative export industry. By the 1980s, Taiwan was churning out so many saxes under contract to labels in the United States and Europe, the government estimates that one out of every three saxophones in the world was made in Taiwan. Later, mainland China began ramping up its saxophone assembly lines, but these instruments were of a much lower quality. Despite the quality issues, the orders in Taiwan dwindled virtually overnight to a fraction of what they had been. During this time, about half of Houli's workshops went out of business.

 

Today, the surviving manufacturers are fighting back.  Their strategy is to stake out a middle ground between the top brands like Selmer and Yamaha and the low quality mainland Chinese instruments. While the work of making saxophones is slow and methodical, the owner of Lien Cheng Saxophones clearly feels a sense of urgency … "Our quality is improving, but if Taiwanese companies don't move quick, they will be left behind." said Chang Tsung Yao. The Taiwanese government and the private sector are furiously investing in research and development, quality control, and marketing. Taiwan's branding efforts are starting to pay off. Once limited to the inferior 'student' market, Taiwanese firms are now making high-grade saxophones for the famous European and American labels.

 

While some players may have perceptions regarding the quality of these saxophones, those that have tried them … those that actually play test brands and models side-by-side with others … are quickly learning some of these saxophones coming out of Houli are every bit as good as the big name instruments that cost 2-3 times more!

 

 

About the Author

Sax-ccessories is owned and managed by an experienced saxophone player of 35+ years. Visit http://www.sax-ccessories.com/ to know more and purchase Borgani Saxophones and its accessories

Is my selmer 62 series III alto a good jazz sax?

I hear its a great horn but has some ups and downs any knowledge about this horn?

Selmer is a GREATTTTTTTT horn dude. Definitely. The sound is so mellow. My brass section use King and Selmer exclusively. They sponsor them LOL.

Selmer Alto
Selmer Super Action 80 Series II Alto Saxophone - Sax.co.uk Review

Selmer 72 $5229 Selmer 72 Selmer 72 Description: (Paris) - "Reference 54" - Spirit of Mark VI, high F# key. Generations of expert craftsmanship, time-honored methods, and the finest materials go into making of the Selmer Series 3 saxophones. Superior playing qualities and tone have become the hallmark of the Selmer sax. The Selmer Series 3 saxophones anticipate the future and embrace the past, and push saxophone technology to the limit. Always committed to serving the needs of students, music educators, amateurs, and professionals, Selmer has grown steadily over the years, becoming the industry leader recognized for craftsmanship and quality. Selmer (Paris) Reference 54 Alto Saxophone Model 72 Selmer 72 Features: Key of Eb High F# key C# vent Series III Clear lacquered body and keys Hand-engraved bell Adjustable right-hand thumb rest Case cover Get your Selmer 72 today!

Selmer STS280R $2229 Selmer STS280R Selmer STS280R Description: Standard finish for alto and tenor is clear lacquer on yellow brass. Optional finishes include copper brass, black nickel plate with lacquer keys, and bright silver plate. The soprano and baritone models feature clear lacquer over rose brass, adding a warmer timbre always appreciated on the soprano and respected on the baritone. All models feature fine engraving on their bodies and bells. Selmer STS280R Features: Standard (La Voix II) - High F# key adjustable right hand thumbrest full-ribbed construction Selmer USA mouthpiece (R402) Leather backpack style case Get your Selmer STS280R today!

Selmer SAS280R $1899 Selmer SAS280R Selmer SAS280R Description: Standard finish for alto and tenor is clear lacquer on yellow brass. Optional finishes include copper brass, black nickel plate with lacquer keys, and bright silver plate. The soprano and baritone models feature clear lacquer over rose brass, adding a warmer timbre always appreciated on the soprano and respected on the baritone. All models feature fine engraving on their bodies and bells. Selmer SAS280R Features: (La Voix II) - Engraved yellow brass body and keys high F# key adjustable right hand thumbrest full-ribbed construction Leather backpack style case Get your Selmer SAS280R today!

Selmer SSS280R $2079 Selmer SSS280R Selmer SSS280R Description: Standard finish for alto and tenor is clear lacquer on yellow brass. Optional finishes include copper brass, black nickel plate with lacquer keys, and bright silver plate. The soprano and baritone models feature clear lacquer over rose brass, adding a warmer timbre always appreciated on the soprano and respected on the baritone. All models feature fine engraving on their bodies and bells. Selmer SSS280R Features: (La Voix II)- Straight one-piece body rose brass body with yellow brass keys clear lacquer nickel silver rods high F# key Selmer USA mouthpiece (R401) backpack style case Get your Selmer SSS280R today!

Selmer SBS280R $4479 Selmer SBS280R Selmer SBS280R Description: Standard finish for alto and tenor is clear lacquer on yellow brass. Optional finishes include copper brass, black nickel plate with lacquer keys, and bright silver plate. The soprano and baritone models feature clear lacquer over rose brass, adding a warmer timbre always appreciated on the soprano and respected on the baritone. All models feature fine engraving on their bodies and bells. Selmer SBS280R Features: (La Voix II)- Engraved rose brass body with yellow brass keys clear lacquer nickel silver rods low A/high F# key Selmer USA mouthpiece (R405) ABS wheeled case Get your Selmer SBS280R today!

Candy Dulfer, Lily was here

Who hasn't heard of Lily Was Here? I bet noone can say that they haven't heard it at least 10 times or watched live video on youtube. Why? Because it's one of the most known songs from the 1990's.

Candy Dulfer was born in Amsterdaym, Netherlands in 1969. She is a daughter of famous Tenor saxophonist Hans Dulfer who also influenced her to start playing this sexy instrument. And she did. She was only 6 years old when she decided to start playing alto saxophone and she stuck to it to this day and she's not sorry because she bacame an icon in Jazz/Pop industry not only in Europe but all over the world. Candy was also influenced by Sonny Rollins and David Sanborn. Actualy, to be honest when listening to her you can hear some Dave's sound. And when talking about Lily was here her sound has this specific and maybe even agressive sound David Sandborn Type you hear in Lethal Weapon movies I am sure you've seen.

Nevertheless Candy has made a name of her own despite her fathers name being known all over the Netherlands even before she could say her A, B, C. Candy worked hard and by the time she was 14 she had already recorded some songs and created a band called Funky Stuff. She's worked with names like Dave Stewart, Marcus Miller, Maceo Parker, and similar names.

Liliy was here is actually many times performed by her and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and I would prefer you check out Live version from Amsterdam.

Candy has played and used Selmer Mark VI alto for years, but recently switched to one made by Thomas Inderbinen. It still sounds awsome!

 

More about Jazz Music: Candy Dulfer.

 

About the Author

Playing music and performing for about 20 years now. Mainly Jazz and some Pop/Rock.

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Selmer Alto