Reference 54 Tenor, impressions?

[qwerty]

I currently have a brushed matte finish reference 54 Tenor in my studio. I haven't purchased it. I simply have it on trial from a local music store, just for a comparison with my 144,xxx mark VI tenor.

I didn't get much time with it yesterday and plan on spending some more time with it today. But my initial impressions were pretty favorable.

One question: Is the low register on Ref 54 tenors typically louder or more "boomy" than on other horns?

I also thought their were some tone uniformity issues, but this might have been more of a set-up/regulation item. More than anything, I am curious if anyone else feels the way I do about the low register.

$6199? That is a lot of cabbage!

[HUTMO]

If you want a 54 you can buy a very nice used version for about 3500 to 4000

Yikes
HUTMO

[Brian]

I have always felt that the one of the Ref tenor's best attributes was the strength of the low end. Very powerful compared to other top end tenors that I have owned and tested. Personally I love it!

Brian

[Dr G]

The Ref 36 is the fatter sounding horn. See if you can compare the 36 and 54.

For >$6k, it had better be a great one. Better, in my mind, to find a good used one and have someone like Randy Jones rebuild and tweak it. There are a lot of great horns out there once you step into $6k range...

[JL]

$6199? That is a lot of cabbage!

It sure is... especially when you already have a MK VI. I know the grass is always greener, but for 6k? What's wrong with the VI you have now?

[TuneUp]

Tried one over one week, got the same vibe about uniformity issues and maybe a "loud" bottom end. Doesn't sound bad, might just take getting used to. To me, didn't resemble the m6 too much although advertised...

[qwerty]

$6199? That is a lot of cabbage!

It sure is... especially when you already have a MK VI. I know the grass is always greener, but for 6k? What's wrong with the VI you have now?

Oh my goodness, nothing is wrong with the VI I own.

This past weekend, I was at an event where a local instrument shop had their wares out for perusal and potential sale. One horn on display was the ref 54. I mentioned to the store's representative that I had never played a ref 54. He then asked me if I'd like to take it for a week, on loan, give it a going over. I couldn't say no! :)

I really really like my VI, particularly after the work Charlie Gray (graysax) did on it this past year. It plays wonderfully and mechanically is as tight as a new horn. This ref 54 has not given me any wanderlust. Well maybe a little cuz it is a knock out to look at (but we all know you don't play the shine).

It is a very nice instrument....but I don't think it is characteristically much like a VI at all.

[piwikiwi]

The Ref 36 is the fatter sounding horn. See if you can compare the 36 and 54.

For >$6k, it had better be a great one. Better, in my mind, to find a good used one and have someone like Randy Jones rebuild and tweak it. There are a lot of great horns out there once you step into $6k range...
I found it easier to get a big tone out of a ref 36 in comparison to the ref 54. I still love the sound of my ref 54.

[fballatore]

The Ref 36 is the fatter sounding horn. See if you can compare the 36 and 54.
Steve -

If you want to try out a 36, you can try mine anytime. I sold my matte 54 to buy the 36, and I haven't had a single regret. The 36 is a much richer sounding horn.

[Sigmund451]

I swapped out a 54 for a VI and never looked back. The Ref is a heck of a horn but I found the tone a little too tight, a bit too contemporary, and over time, I noticed an upper frequency buzz that kind of got on my nerves a tad. It was also a bit dry. My advice...keep shopping.

Id keep the VI and go for something in a totally different vein if your feeling the need for another horn. Perhaps a Couf Superba I...that would be on the top of my list or some other horn that is less "Selmerish" for a change of pace.

[Brian]

Steve -

If you want to try out a 36, you can try mine anytime. I sold my matte 54 to buy the 36, and I haven't had a single regret. The 36 is a much richer sounding horn.

Someone probably sold you that 36 to buy a 54, Frank ....:)
We don't all feel that way, ya know.

[RandyJ]

The Ref 36 is the fatter sounding horn. See if you can compare the 36 and 54.


I agree fully.

JR

[Sigmund451]

As for the 36, I really wanted to like it better than the VI. I really wanted one...then I played it against my VI and there was no contest...of course everyone has different taste and style.

[fballatore]

someone probably sold you that 36 to buy a 54, frank ....:)
we don't all feel that way, ya know.


...of course everyone has different taste and style.

Agreed :D

[Saxplayer1]

From my experience, Selmers still differ quite a bit from horn to horn. I've owned and played Series III's, Selmer 36's and now play an incredible Ref. 54 gold lacquered tenor that is simply the finest tenor I've played in 30 years. My VI sits in the closet and is a good one (given to me years ago from a legendary artist, thus it's sentimental).

The Ref. 54 I play now I chose from several and frankly, some were what I considered okay, but nothing to write home about, but this one had me speechless. Then when I thought it couldn't get any better, I then tested several Sterling 54 Necks and one in particular gave the horn exceptional smoothness and richness, clarity and even more power, just an incredible fat sound.

I believe you need to play a few 54's and 36's and find the one that knocks you out. And if you own a good VI, bring it along to compare. Also, you will note the necks play a large factor in how these horns respond, that is, in addition to a good set-up.

[GAS_Wyo]

I currently own both a Ref 54 and a Ref 36. I'm not going to be able to offer any profound insights that haven't already been stated on these horns on SOTW. I like both horns for different reasons.

I agree with the statement above that the Ref 54's have a more contemporary sound than the 36's. I really like the contemporary nature of the Ref 54...it projects very well and stands out in the Praise Band I play with every weekend. It also has a much sweeter high end than the 36. I haven't noticed any 'buzzing' with the Jody Jazz DV NY, but a Dukoff was just a total 'non-match' with this horn. I noticed lots of nasty sound with that MP.

I really like the Ref 36's low end...it's definitely fatter than the 54 and any other horns I've owned. It's a mellower modern tenor in my book. To me, and this is a taste and style issue as pointed out above, this horn actually sounds more like the Mark VI's I've played than any Ref 54. I've tried the 36 with many mouthpieces over the last 3 years...one of the 2 Tenney Link 7*'s I own is a great fit for this horn. Trying it with a Jody Jazz DV was a trip...putting a high baffle mouthpiece on a mellow horn wasn't the greatest match.

One factor in my current opinions of these horns is the fact that I have put the Ref 36 in the closet for the past year in order to learn to play this beautiful lacquered Ref 54 and the JJ DV NY together. I have also learned to project my sound a lot better. I'm considering getting out the 36 again to see how it reacts to the change to my sound.

...no profound conclusions...stay tuned and I will post some opinions after the next experiment. :)

[saxguy007]

I've tried the 36 with many mouthpieces over the last 3 years...one of the 2 Tenney Link 7*'s I own is a great fit for this horn. Trying it with a Jody Jazz DV was a trip...putting a high baffle mouthpiece on a mellow horn wasn't the greatest match.



My experience exactly. My JJ DV was a horrible match with my Ref 36. The only piece of my limited experience and collection of mouthpieces that works with my Ref 36 is my Morgan Excalibur.

Sorry for the tangent. Geez, $6200 for a new tenor, OUCH!

[piwikiwi]

I bought one 2 weeks ago and it cost me 3800 euros(5570 dollars)(it was a second-hand horn). We the previous owner bought it he chose this one out of 5 ref 54's