Selmer SA80 Serie II ended in 1996?

[Vitruvius]

Can anyone here verify this comment from an AD on eBay by a reputable seller? I am assuming by 'changeover' he means the entry of the Serie III.............Thank you.................
PS - I have asked for and am awaiting the serial number.

My reason for asking is that I am building an accurate Selmer SA80 serial number list and want it to be historically accurate as well as numerically.

"Up for auction, a very nice Paris France Selmer Super Action 80 Series II Tenor saxophone. This horn was manufactured toward the very end of the Series II lineup. The serial number dates the instrument to 1994 (the changeover occurred in 1996). Many stores still have new stock on this model and the current retail is around $4500."

Here is the beginning of the list I am compiling:

Compiling Selmer Serial List
I am putting together a serial number list of Selmer horns manfactured since 1992 which is the year their official list ends - Any contributions to this list is appreciated - Thank you.......

Super Action 80
1981 315501 - 327300 – 11,799 pieces made
1982 327301 - 340200 – 12,899
1983 340201 - 353300 – 13,099
1984 353301 - 366400 – 13,099
1985 366401 - 378800 – 12,399 Selmer list ends

Super Action 80/Serie II
1986 378,801 - 391,000 – 12,199 pieces made
1987 391,001 - 406,000 – 14,999
1988 406,001 - 422,500 – 16,499
1989 422,501 - 439,600 – 17,099
1990 439,601 - 457,500 – 17,899
1991 457,501 - 473,600 – 16,099
1992 473,601 - 490,000 – 16,399 Selmer list ends

Super Action 80 serie III
1995-1996 - 507,000-514,999 - 7,999 pieces made
1996-1997 - 515,000-528,999 - 13,999
1997-1998 - 529,000-544,999 - 15,999
1998-1999 - 545,000-559,999 - 14,999
1999-2000 - 560,000-579,999 - 19,999
2000-2001 - 580,000-594,999 - 14,999 Selmer list ends

Reference
2000-2001 - 580,000-594,999

1993 xxx,xxx - 490,104 - eBay seller - purchased in 1994
____ xxx,xxx - 491,871 - eBay seller - purchased in 1993
1994 xxx,xxx - 500,xxx - SOTW member - DXCamp
____ xxx,xxx - 510,854 - eBay seller - purchased 1994
1995 xxx,xxx - 538,175 - anon reader - purchased 1995
1996
1997 xxx,xxx - 549,317 - anon reader - purchased 1997
1998 xxx,xxx - 566,734 - eBay seller
____ xxx.xxx - 573690 - CraigsList seller - purchased 1998
1999
2000 xxx,xxx - 589,423 - anon reader - purchased in 2003
2001 xxx,xxx - 607,322 - Ebay seller - Serie III
____ xxx,xxx - 612,678 - eBay seller - purchased in 2002
____ xxx,xxx - 613,355 - eBay seller
____ xxx,xxx - 613,717 - SOTW member - drakesaxprof -
____ xxx,xxx - 613,861 - SOTW member - Vitruvius -
2002
2003 xxx,xxx - 620,952 - Serie III -SaxQuest seller - purchased 2003
2004 xxx,xxx - 658,254 - eBay seller - purchased 2004
____ xxx,xxx - 660,552 - eBay seller - purchased 10/24/04
____ xxx,xxx - 660,987 - anon reader - purchased 6/18/04
____ xxx,xxx - 661,77x - Ebay seller - new/old stock from 2004
2005
2006 xxx,xxx - 696,xxx - SOTW member - REF696
2007
2008 xxx,xxx - 718,xxx - anon reader
2009

[Dr G]

You be the judge. As far as I know, there are no plans to stop production on the Serie II alto.

http://usahorn.com/new/Selmer-Paris/9/Super-Action-80-Series-II-Alto-Saxophone-Lacquer.html

[drakesaxprof]

They are in full production today, (http://www.selmer.fr/) alongside the Serie III and Reference lines.

[gary]

Could the seller be erroneosly thinking Serie "I"?

How much knowledge = reputable seller? Please give us a link. Maybe we'll see something you might not have seen (or not ;)).

[NissanVintageSax]

I remember when the Series III soprano debuted in mid 1995. A fellow sax player at Interlochen (from Israel), bought one, selling his Yamaha and Yani, to buy it! He took delivery of it while still at the summer camp. I was suprised when the Series II was still being produced w/the Series III, and it took so long to have an SATB line up for the Series III!

[Vitruvius]

gary...............Here's the serial #510854 and the link .........I think the seller doesn't know too much about how to list it...........


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310146134605&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

His eMail to me
Hi, Thank you for your interest in my auction. The serial number of this sax is N.510854. I am fairly certain that the Series II ceased in 1996. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Best Regards, --Jamie

[gary]

Hmm. Well, you write that he is a reputable seller. Maybe he's just not a well-informed seller. That's obviously a Serie II tenor. I got my Serie II alto in about 2006 I think, so abviously he is wrong about production dates. Looks like a good horn, though. Don't know what to tell you.

[Maarten]

no man, the serieIII started then.

[Mike F]

Serie II tenor - wouldn't touch it with a barge pole! :twisted: The altos on the other hand are a very different story!

As you've probably gathered, the sellers wrong. Serie II's are still available new, and just continued in production when the III's came out.

[fluteypiccolosax]

You be the judge. As far as I know, there are no plans to stop production on the Serie II alto.

http://usahorn.com/new/Selmer-Paris/9/Super-Action-80-Series-II-Alto-Saxophone-Lacquer.html

:shock: $4,175.00 for a new selmer?
wow. i havent checked prices in a while...:x

[Vitruvius]

Serie II tenor - wouldn't touch it with a barge pole! :twisted: The altos on the other hand are a very different story!

Mike......yes am aware of the continuation of the Serie II..........But I am surprised to hear that the tenor is inferior to the alto. Usually when one is very good so is the other as with the Martins. Are you referring to the Serie III tenor by chance and not the II?.............

Maarten - According to the serial number list above I think the Serie III started in 95
PS.......After showing him the post's from this forum the ebay seller emailed me again and said he now realizes he was wrong.............

[Mike F]

Mike......yes am aware of the continuation of the Serie II..........But I am surprised to hear that the tenor is inferior to the alto. Usually when one is very good so is the other as with the Martins. Are you referring to the Serie III tenor by chance and not the II?.............


Well of course that's only my opinion, said with tongue in cheek(!), but I've owned two Serie II tenors and two Serie II altos and the altos were better altos than the tenors were tenors, if you get my meaning.

I think the general consensus here is that people prefer the Serie II altos to the tenors, and the Serie III tenors to the altos. That's certainly been my experience anyway.

Of course there are plenty of people who love their Serie II tenors, but maybe they haven't tried a good MK VI, or MK VII, or Serie III or Ref 36, or Ref 54 or..............;) But you'll just have to suck it and see for yourself!

[Vitruvius]

Mike F............thanks for the info and for the opines............I am waiting as we speak for delivery today of a mint Serie II alto that I picked up on CraigsList for a very good price.

I am playing on two Martin alto's right now - a Handcraft from the early 30's and a 'searchlight' Handcraft from the late 30's. For the 'searchlight' I just went from a Selmer S90 - 180 mpc to a Meyer 6 (vintage) and its as though I am playing an entirely different horn - I am quite amazed at the fantastic sound I'm getting now from this horn w/the Meyer mpc.............

I mention this because I am so pleased with this Martin/Meyer combo now that I am not inclined to make the change to a Selmer - hence it might be for sale soon...........

PS ............do you have an opinion on the use of a III 'copper' neck on a II alto to enhance the tone, response, and projection that some are claiming occurs as a result of the switch?

[gary]

PS ............do you have an opinion on the use of a III 'copper' neck on a II alto to enhance the tone, response, and projection that some are claiming occurs as a result of the switch?

What kind of "ehnancement" are you looking for that's not already there, LOL? The Serie II is a killin' sax.

FWIW, I play a Ponzol neck on my Serie II and it adds, maybe 5%-10% in body to the tone. For me it was an important % but nevertheless, that's all it added. The Serie II is fine just as it is. Oh, and regarding "projection" - huh? The horn projects very well as it is. The first extended playing I did with my (at the time) new alto was on a pop horn/band gig and it was an absolute joy to play.

[NissanVintageSax]

I just never "got it" I guess w/the Series II Altos. Never dreamt I'd own a Selmer until I tried the Mark VII that I now own. Different strokes...

[zorroperro]

PS ............do you have an opinion on the use of a III 'copper' neck on a II alto to enhance the tone, response, and projection that some are claiming occurs as a result of the switch?

What kind of "ehnancement" are you looking for that's not already there, LOL? The Serie II is a killin' sax.

FWIW, I play a Ponzol neck on my Serie II and it adds, maybe 5%-10% in body to the tone. For me it was an important % but nevertheless, that's all it added. The Serie II is fine just as it is. Oh, and regarding "projection" - huh? The horn projects very well as it is. The first extended playing I did with my (at the time) new alto was on a pop horn/band gig and it was an absolute joy to play.

Yes, the Series II as it is is a magnificent horn. I once tried some neck changes, sterling silver for example and no, the horn is at its best as it is. Of all the alternatives I have for Alto sax which include a very good Mark VI, my two Series II give me more projection, a better feeling and by far, higher altissimo.

I believe a different reed may add or substract a lot more than anything else, just my opinion.

[Dr G]

I believe a different reed may add or substract a lot more than anything else, just my opinion.

That, and either an RPC 90R or a SR Tech Legend 85 - both are killin' lead alto setups on the Serie II. ;)

[Grumps]

I think the general consensus here is that people prefer the Serie II altos to the tenors, and the Serie III tenors to the altos. That's certainly been my experience anyway.
Agreed.

[zorroperro]

I think the general consensus here is that people prefer the Serie II altos to the tenors, and the Serie III tenors to the altos. That's certainly been my experience anyway.
Agreed.

I have not played a Tenor Saxophone in 20 years and was a Mark VI...

But speaking for Altos yes, I really believe that the Series II is a better horn by all means. Starting by the brass it is made of. The helping issues around the C# that the Series III has makes me feel like I am receiving a non-pro help (I know, it is just me) and I do not want to be ofensive, but I like the challenge in the tuning the saxophone as an instrument demands.

Also, for me, the upper altissimo is a fun part of the joy of playing. Every Series III I have tried to go higher than F4 has been a real problem. With every Series II I have been able to play them.

Yes, all around, I think both are great horns, very good horns. Every Selmer is, but a Series II is in my opinion, an Alto at its best.

Blow in good health,

JI

[zorroperro]

Sorry, double posting.