selmer ??

[hamilton]

My local music store has a new Selmer soprano for sale. I was told It is a new model made in japan for Selmer. They are about 600 bucks and they play fairly well, about the same as a Winston or Jupiter.It is not a USA model. Does anybody have any other info on this model. Who makes it, how does it hold up?

[jivemutha]

My local music store has a new Selmer soprano for sale. I was told It is a new model made in japan for Selmer. They are about 600 bucks and they play fairly well, about the same as a Winston or Jupiter.It is not a USA model. Does anybody have any other info on this model. Who makes it, how does it hold up?
You've seen it and it actually says "Selmer" on it? 'Sounds like you may already know that historically, Selmers were all from Paris though more recently some have been made in Indiana (different models, not as good and for less money), but as far as I've ever heard, that's it.

If it doesn't actually say "Selmer" on it, then it's probably a copy of a Selmer, in which case it would make sense to play the real thing to compare before buying the cheap horn. Something is clearly wrong because labor costs in Japan are very high and a horn made in Japan for $600 should be junk. Price good Japanese horns (Yamaha and Yanagisawa) and you'll see the professional models start far above $600. Something sounds fishy . . .

[hamilton]

It has Selmer on the bell, no engraving. It is not a Paris or USA model.It played and looked just like a Winston I also played that day.

[Fred]

You played it . . . not me. I'm going to admit up front that I am biased, but for the money, I'm buy another Antigua Winds. The AW is not a roll of the dice; I'm afraid the "Selmer" might be.

[jivemutha]

I just checked the Selmer website. I think I found it. In its regular list of available instruments, the website appears to list no sopranos at all except the Series II and Series III Paris Selmers. It lists both La Voix and Selmer (USA) horns, but not sopranos for those lines. However . . .

Elsewhere on the website, there is a mention of a brand new student student soprano:

"The Selmer SS600 soprano saxophone . . . [is] well-constructed . . . [and] ideal for school use. The model SS600 soprano features a one-piece body/neck design, high F# key, kid leather pads with metal resonators, hard rubber mouthpiece and woodshell case."

If this is it, then it's possible that few people will be able to tell you anything because it's just come out. Have you tried the (Yanagisawa clone) Antigua Winds 586 or 590, as suggested by someone else on this thread? It's only about $800 and if you can find one a play it before plunking down the $600 on the new student Selmer, you'd be in a better place to make an intelligent decision.

To possibly find out more about the new student Selmer soprano, I suggest contacting an authorized dealer and asking by phone. Kessler Music sells Selmer, so Dave Kessler should be able to tell you whether there's a hidden story behind the horn you've found or whether it's not a legitimate Selmer. I think you'll find the store phone number on the website (www.kesslermusic.com). He's easy to talk with and honest. Good luck!

P.S. I've played an Antigua Winds 586 and while I did not like it as well as a Selmer Series III, some players like it better! That said, it certainly played well (decent sound, intonation, etc) and could easily be used as a professional horn. It's made in Taiwan, where $800 is enough to build a good horn. It's hard to believe that $600 in Japan (where coffee costs $5 a cup and so does a refill) could do the same.

[Tully]

Go for an Antigua. I haven't played the "Selmer", of course, but I have no doubt that an Antigua would play much better; you won't regret it!

[bruce bailey]

It probably is the same Asian horn that they sell under the Buescher name.

[Tully]

I have a hunch you're right, Bruce.

[GHawk]

I have a Selmer SA80 Serie III and an Antigua A590BC...I'm selling the Selmer. This is from someone who's been a Selmer man since 1970! My Selmer SA80 Serie II tenor is unmatched by ANY horn that I've ever played (a bunch of 'em), so I'm not even tempted by any other horn, but the Antigua soprano is KILLER!!!!!

[Russ]

Is it possible that this new Selmer sop could even be an 'Antigua' in disguise?

The La Voix horns are basically Antigua's right ?

[jivemutha]

I have a Selmer SA80 Serie III and an Antigua A590BC...I'm selling the Selmer. This is from someone who's been a Selmer man since 1970! My Selmer SA80 Serie II tenor is unmatched by ANY horn that I've ever played (a bunch of 'em), so I'm not even tempted by any other horn, but the Antigua soprano is KILLER!!!!!

I see it as more complicated, though I agree the Antigua is both a good horn and the best buck for buck that I've played. That said, however, different players prefer different horns. Many famous professionals continue to choose Selmers. I'm unaware of any *famous* professionals who've yet chosen the Antigua, though it may happen. The Series III plays much better for me (more power, easier blowing) than the Antigua, though when I bought it I was told this impression varies considerably from player to player.

Selmers are often passed up these days because they're poorly set up in the factory and not packed very well in the long haul across the Atlantic. If someone doesn't set them right at the U.S. end, anything will beat many of the Selmers. Even the famed Dave Kessler left a number of slight leaks in my Selmer that took some sorting out when I got it back home, but now that it's sorted, it's the best for me, though clearly not everyone. The Antigua is a copy of the Yanagisawa (now owned by Selmer, by the way). You'll hear all kinds of opinions about what if any differences exist between the $850 Antigua and the Yani costing almost $2000 more. The only way you'll know what's best for you is to try a bunch. Unfortunately, very few places have a good selection. If your price range is under $1000, however, while none of us has apparently played the new "student" Selmer (despite the strong opinions voiced), I agree you can't go wrong with the Antigua. Good luck!

[Gordon (NZ)]

My local music store has a new Selmer soprano for sale. I was told It is a new model made in japan for Selmer......

It is extremely unlikely that it is made in Japan.

In my experience EVERYTHING made in Japan has this proudly labelled on the item.

Without reliable evidence, I would not believe a word of it. So the message that perhaps you should take from this is that your local store is short on integrity. I would be careful about believing ANYTHING they said.

BTW, are you aware that if you import a few thousand dollars worth of instruments from Taiwan or China, and probably several other countries too, you can get the supplier to engrave any name you choose on it.

IMO there is a significant possibility that the Antigua and this "Selmer" come from the same factory, NOT in japan.

Buy on either well-established reputation, or on very thorough, knowledgeable, independent evaluation - not such an easy commodity to find.

[jivemutha]

It is extremely unlikely that it is made in Japan.

Gordon's gotta be right. Hotel rooms for one night cost $600 in Japan, not saxophones. Gordon's guessed implication that it might come from T0aiwan (" . . . same factory as Antigua") makes the most sense.

[BuffetBlowerDude]

Isn`t this an example of the "Prelude" range from Selmer USA?...I thought they were cheapie horns from China and are certainly priced to compete with the flood of Chinese made horns that are available everywhere nowadays.
I`m afraid as with all big money corporations they want their "market share" and God help us if Selmer Paris ever feel the need to go the same route!!!
Who makes them is anybody`s guess....they all look the same....Selmer clones are Selmer clones. There are plenty of these Preludes in the UK all being touted as "SELMER" saxes....i can stick a Ferrari badge on my Ford....but it don`t make it so!

[1saxman]

Ghawk; Can you play C# with your RH down????

[hakukani]

Why don't you start your own thread (just ONE) about the horn?

No one cares about your nationality--this is an international forum.

There's nothing nasty at all about kcp's message.:|