Vintage Selmer
Vintage Selmer
Review of Saxophone Brands
Which saxophone brands can you choose from when buying a new instrument? This article reviews the most common brand names.
The Big Four
The "big four" of saxophone manufacturers are Yamaha, Selmer, Yanagisawa and Keilwerth. Let's have a look at them.
Yamaha – One of the most popular brands, they are used by many of the world's leading saxophone players. Yamaha produces a wide range of instruments, including soprano, baritone, alto and tenor saxophones.
Selmer – The company's motto is "anticipate the future and embrace the past". This also shows in their design. Selmer's Series III are modern versions of classical instruments based on past heritage.
Yanagisawa – Together with Vito, this is a brand name from the Leblanc firm.
Keilwerth – This brand is considered to be one of the world's very best.
Other Saxophone Brands
Next to the "big four", other brands exist that may also be the perfect choice for you. Let's review some interesting details about a number of them in no particular order.
Martin – This firm produced a wide range of saxophones from 1919 to 1967 and it's one of the most wanted vintage brands for collectors.
Anaxa – Not as well known as some of the others, it's still a well built instrument that's very suitable for beginning players.
Prestini – Based in Italy, this company produces several musical instruments but they are perhaps best known for their saxophones. Nowadays it's a company of international fame.
Buescher – Gus Buescher, who was the company founder, produced the first American saxophone in 1888.
Alpine – Made from brass with post-to-rib construction, they are relatively cheap saxophones for students.
Monique – A Taiwanese brand that's inexpensive and typically better than the really cheap Chinese and Indian brands. But you have to use your discretion the quality of this brand of saxophones varies quite a bit.
Cecilio – One of the cheapest brands available on the market, they still offer excellent design and durability. As such they are one of the best price/quality bargains available.
Armstrong – Used a lot by beginning band players, this brand is best known for it's flutes, piccolos and clarinets.
Conn – A well known brand for beginning players, that nevertheless has built quite an impressive line of instruments. Around for many years.
King – One of the most collectible of the vintage brands. Many King saxophones have engravings on the instrument's body, and even the keys.
Buffet – This brand has been around since 1866, which is just two decades after the invention of the saxophone by Alphonse Sax.
About the Author
Roger Charles is the editor of The-Saxophone.com, covering everything about saxophones. Find more about the tenor saxophone at his site.
What's the best vintage alto saxophone I can get?
anything but a selmer mark vi. I know the mark vi's are the one of the greatest saxophones ever, but i dont really want to spend more than 3,000. I will be playing mainly classical, because I have a newish jazz saxophone.
If you don't mind antiquated keywork a Conn, Buescher or Martin saxophone from the 20's and 30's can have a beautiful sound- and because they're very common you can find them for the mid hundreds (though you'll need to have them rebuilt). Plus factors include great construction and beautiful tone. Minus factors are old-style keywork: left hand pinky clusters can be clunky, palm kets can be awkward, and they might not have a front-F key. These instruments were top of the line in the old dance band days. I play a 1925 Conn alto- great tone but I'm going to have it worked on because my left hand aches after a full night's work.
Vintage Selmer
Bell Notes - The Selmer Mark VI, Bombs & Church Bells
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Selmer 72F $5229 Selmer 72F Selmer 72F Description: (Paris) - "Reference 54" - Spirit of Mark VI, high F# key "Vintage matte,no engraving" This is the newest top-of-the-line professional saxophone from Selmer (Paris). It is also known in the USA as the Model 72. This saxophone captures the distinctly warmer sound of a vintage Mark VI saxophone. The body and keys are given a brushed texture and then a special antiquing process is used to create dark highlights. The entire saxophone is lacquered in a matte lacquer. The result is a unique finish that looks like a vintage horn. Selmer 72F Features: Selmer (Paris) Reference Flight hard case with removable shoulder strap Super Session "D" mouthpiece with ligature and cap neck strap instrument body swab cork grease Get your Selmer 72F today! |
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Selmer 74 $6199 Selmer 74 Selmer 74 Description: Selmer (Paris) Reference 54 Bb Tenor Saxophone Model 74 (Paris) - "Reference 54" - Spirit of 1954 Mark VI, high F# key, mini-rib construction "Vintage matte,no engraving" Inspired by the Mark VI model released in 1954, the Selmer 74 Reference 54 tenor saxophone is a professional tenor saxophone that integrates the Mark VI's legendary acoustic characteristics with innovative modern key work and more stable intonation. A major favorite among jazz saxophonists the Reference 54 tenor saxophone offers a rich throaty sound that even "barks" well in the lower register. The key work of the Selmer 74 tenor saxophone is extremely fluid and reacts well to even the most wicked licks. Join the legions of jazz saxophonists that have rediscovered the sound of the legendary Mark VI and have made the Selmer 74 Reference 54 tenor saxophone their tenor of choice. The Resurrection of the Old Great Sax Secrets. Reference 54 Tenor Saxophone, acoustically based on the Selmer (Paris) Mark VI, delivers a rich, centered sound with excellent intonation. Using a hammering process, the neck, body, bow and bell are created from a special brass alloy with a higher copper content, which softens the metal for a richer, warmer sound. Use of kid leather pads with plastic tone boosters projects the sound and adds flexibility. The Reference 54 includes the traditional pearl key for front F, while the compact design makes the keys feel closer to the body of the instrument. With a brushed finish and dull lacquer on both the body and the keys, the Reference 54 has a vintage appeal. It plays very easily in the lower register, and has a really deep, strong sound which holds its own in any sax section. Get your Selmer 74 today! |
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Selmer CL601 $735 Selmer CL601 Selmer CL601 Description: Selmer (USA) Bb Clarinet Aristocrat - Composite body, .578" molded bore, nickel-plated keys, molded mouthpiece, 5072 case Get your Selmer CL601 today! |
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Selmer 1492B $2115 Selmer 1492B Selmer 1492B Description: "USA" - Resonite body with wood grain finish, basic conservatory system to low B, silver-plated keys, 5069 case Standard Get your Selmer 1492B today! |
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Selmer 66AF $9549 Selmer 66AF Selmer 66AF Description: Standard (Paris) - "Series III" - Eb Baritone - Hand-engraved clear lacquer body & keys high F# key low A Get your Selmer 66AF today! |
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Selmer's Garage 66 Chevy Vintage Baseball Jersey by CafePress Show your true sporting colors with our great looking baseball jersey... |
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Vintage Distressed Selmer Football Tri-Blend T-Shirt Vintage Distressed Selmer Football Tri-Blend T-Shirt by Solid Gold Bomb™Solid Gold Bomb does it once more! Printed on the American Apparel TR401 Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Track Shirt. Made of the three fabric combination (50% Polyester / 25% Cotton / 25% Rayon), this tee retains shape and elasticity. Cotton lends both comfort and durability with the addition of Rayon, it makes for a unique text... |
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Vintage Distressed Selmer Coast Guard Tri-Blend T-Shirt Go Vintage! Super Popular Tri-Blend by Solid Gold Bomb™Solid Gold Bomb (SGB) is here! Printed on the American Apparel TR401 Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Track Shirt. Made of the three fabric combination (50% Polyester / 25% Cotton / 25% Rayon), this tee retains shape and elasticity. Cotton lends both comfort and durability with the addition of Rayon, it makes for a unique texture that drapes again... |
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SELMER UNVEILS VINTAGE BACH LINE.: An article from: Music Trades $5.95 This digital document is an article from Music Trades, published by Music Trades Corp. on September 1, 2000. The length of the article is 343 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle: SELMER ... |
Vintage Selmer