Selmer (USA) Model 156

[JPrince]

I'm the guy that was asking about the Amati ABS-62 and the Jupiter 893SG, then I had a thought (My uncle said wait another month). How about a Selmer USA Model 156. Granted, compared to a SA 80 or a Mark VI it won't be as good, but would it have that Selmer sound at a lower cost (I can see them on ebay or at some places for about $2500 or so). So, even though it isn't a Selmer Paris, could It mabye still have a good Selmer sound? Also, how would it rate against an Amati ABS-62, a Jupiter, and a Yamaha YBS-52? Thanks again.

[1saxman]

All the baris you mentioned, except the Selmer USA, are modern-style (Selmer Paris clones) saxophones. The Selmer USA baris are clones of the old Buescher 400. They have a huge, deep vintage sound but awkward and trouble-prone keywork (for example, the linkage for the bell keys is not protected by a clothes guard and is constantly catching on things and breaking). If you are a student as I think you may be, you may be better off with a student-model Yamaha or Yanagisawa.

[JPrince]

I wouldn't say I am not a "Student" per se, I am going to college in 6 months, and I have been playing Bari's for 6 years, and saxes for 7. I am wanting an inexpensive pro-line horn. as for Yamaha's, I am used to using a Yamaha YBS-52 and I am wanting something better (not to say its a bad horn, not by far). Well, thanks again, and looks like I'll stick with either the Amati or Jupiter.


Wait.... the Selmer 156 is a fixed up Buescher 400? I thought they only went to low Bb? Oh well.... thanks again.

[JEdge]

I do not know much about baris but i dont think that the Jupiter or the Amati you are looking at are going to top a YBS-52.

Jupiter maybe, im not sure if thats the lower or lowest end bari Jupiter makes but the artists models on alto and tenor are werth a look in their price range so the baris may be as well.

Amati makes some of the worst saxophones ive seen. Unless they have been bought out by another company or have changed the way the make and/or designe saxophones within the last five or so years. Im not sure where they are made anymore but based on a friends old (as in 9 years or so) Amati tenor they are made in Czeclazovakia (i know spelling is horribly off) which just doesnt sound like a good place for anything to be made, although i could be wrong. There is not one in-tune note on the entire sax and the sounds that come from are much worse then anything ive heard before (granted this could be the player and not the horn) To top it off the construction louzy. The key layout and its action are by far the best parts of the sax but not even that is what i would consider above average. These are all just my opinion and i could be somewhat wrong but i couldnt imagine an Amati bari comparing in any way to a YBS-52 or for that matter a Jupiter.

[JPrince]

hmmm.... in that case any ideas for a Low A Bari for $2500? I really don't want a piece of junk but again I do need a bari.... argggg

[JEdge]

Did you say you were on a full scholarship? If so I would do whatever I can to get the best bari around. Maybe a top-of-the-line used bari. Again i can not remember if you are on a scholarship or not but if you are then your saving so much money anyway you might as well spend it on a bari that you will be playing for the rest of you life (with proper care). 5,000 distributed over 30 years is not that big of a number. You also have till August right? Six months saving up will certainly add much needed mulla to that 2,500.

Anyways, the Jupiter 893SG Artist Series bari looks like a heck of a deal for 2,600 (from wwbw.com) and if you really are limited to that sort of money then there is nothing else on the market that can stand up to it... New that is.

Have you checked the used market?

[MPL]

I test drove a Yamaha 52, a Vito VSP, and a Jupiter 893 within a couple of days of each other.

The 52 had great keywork and a decent sound. Mind you, at that time I was quite used to my '36 Conn 12M, so "decent" is relative to the boomy, wall-rattlin' noise that the 12M made. I was far more impressed with the VSP: a much darker, bigger sound than the 52, equivalent keywork. I've been told that the VSP is actually a Yanagisawa 901 (the company name and "901" are stamped on the horn at various places) that's assembled in the US by Leblanc.

The 893 was a good solid horn, keywork not as easy to use for me with my short fingers, nice dark sound, lots of "bark" to it when pushed...I thought it was quite comparable to the VSP myself. I didn't care for the silver body/gold key look, and I really didn't like the keyboard.

If you're absolutely stuck on a budget of $2500, you can usually find a used VSP for well below that, as Vitos of this type have poor resale value. I think the VSP is way underrated, though, and I'd definitely call it a sleeper horn if it hasn't been thrashed on.

Finding a used 52 for that amount...harder to do but I've seen them. And I've never seen a used 893 anywhere, so I can't vouch for what that price might be. Of the three, Yamahas will hold resale value far longer, no question.

IMHO, resale value is only a big deal if you plan to use this horn as a "step-up" until you can afford something pricier. I ended up purchasing a Martin Committee Bb horn primarily because it was pretty cheap, and I prefer the bigger vintage sound of the Bb horns anyway. For $2500, you could probably get a vintage Conn, Buescher, or Martin in decent shape and repadded/overhauled, play it for awhile while you save up more $$$, and then sell it for more than you could the 52, VSP, or 893 bought new. Food for thought!

Low A is not a factor unless someone who's paying your tuition says it is. Know what I mean?

[Media Lint]

The 156 has a low A: Photo and Specs @ Selmer site (http://www.selmer.com/woodwind/usasx/156.html)

I've been looking at the Jupiter Artist bari myself. Because I have a nasty habit of writing a lot of songs in C minor, a low A isn't trivial to me :)

[Jerry K.]

Check out the left pinkie cluster on that baby - real old school. Aside from grafting on the low Bb (tale a look at the slice that was added towards the bottom of the bell to accomidate the Bb tone hole) looks just like the early 1960s Bueschers and Bundys.

If I were in your position I would look at the New Buescher which is close to $2000 that people seem to like, or the Jupiter Artist if you can stretch more towards $2750 by the time you factor in shipping. I also like the idea of you working real hard to make the extra money (if your schedule allows and you don't need the money for more important things) required to stretch and get like a Yani 901 or the Vito VSP as MPL has suggested.

Good luck! You might suggest your Uncle drop by to see that you have been doing your homework.

[1saxman]

Without checking the Selmer site, I think the USA bari model 1256 is the low Bb and the 156 the low A. They do sound good, though. The low A on the one we were using in a R&B horn band made the bass bins on the PA walk across the floor! The bari player couldn't take the keywork constantly needing repair, so he got a new Asian clone which does a pretty good job. In fact, it got knocked off the stand on New Year's Eve and hit the carpeted bandstand. When I saw that the upper pads on the top bow no longer sealed, I suspected a bent horn. To my surprise, the horn was neither bent or dented - anywhere. It just needed some key arms adjusted and a general 'line-up'. Intonation is good on it and the low notes bark. He got back what he paid for the USA bari, so he felt okay with it - particularly since we got the new one for $1875 - and it's gold plated. This player is not a solo player and doesn't need or want to pay for a top horn - he just wants that 'buh-wap' to come out loud and in tune.

[m_flanag]

No one should ever buy a Selmer 156A with the intention of playing the Baritone Sax!!! Please please, let's rid the planet of these nightmarish blobs of metal! Buy a Yamaha, Buescher BU-6 or Vito.