Selmer Super Session Alto compared to Soloist

[MM]

Ok the Super Session for soprano was supposed to be a copy of an old Soloist. Now for alto they make both models--anybody know what the differences are? And does the Super Session somehow fit the Ref alto well, since it standard equipment? Is it mainly the shank length?

[singlereed]

Having seen and played a few old and new Soloists and Super Sessions for alto and sop, this is what I think. I am sure it is not the whole story!

Soloists for alto and tenor (old and new models I own) have a medium sized horseshoe shaped chamber and a fairly low baffle. Soloists (which you can't buy new any more) for soprano had a small round chamber - at least the one I have seen, did. This is fine and gives a rounded tone, and it is common amongst other brands for the soprano mouthpiece to follow this pattern, even if the equivalent for alto or tenor model has a larger chamber design.

The SS soprano also has a small round chamber and a slightly higher baffle. They have now carried over these features to the SS made for alto, resulting in a very different mouthpiece compared to the old and new Soloists (at least different from the ones I have) - the higher baffle and smaller chamber giving an edgier sound. Also, the SS are only available in more open facings (certainly E or higher) and this also impacts the sound - I play Soloists around C* facing, so the Super Session E that came with my Ref 54 alto is that bit more different than if I played, an E Soloist if you follow me.

From my limited experience of old Soloists (I have four examples), the chamber and baffle design did vary over time and/or by individual example, so if a Super Session was based on a soprano Soloist, it would depend on the particular example they chose. However, the Super Session for alto is very different from the modern Soloist, and from the vintage Soloists I own.

The shank length itself will not make any difference, but the 'long' and 'short' Soloists, and those which didn't bear the name 'Soloist' did apparently vary in other ways which affected their character - I am sure someone will give a proper explanation, I am afraid I am not sure which ones I have!

[Dave Dolson]

I have two new Soloists for alto and an alto Super Session, all in F facings. MY experience with them has been mixed. While I love the soprano Super Sessions (in J), the alto SS is too spread for my tastes. It is unlike either Soloist in that the Soloists play well and give me a focused sound, while the SS is just warm with no center and no focus. As they say, mileage may vary. DAVE

[MM]

I found something on the Selmer web site indicating there's a difference in facing length with the Soloists being more medium-long and the Super Sessions medium short. Also, for some of the sizes, the tip openings were different for the same letter. I'll see if I can dig up the URL.

[thejazzyfly]

Can we come back to this thread. It is interesting but not so much answers...

How does an Alto Super Session Plays compare to an Alto Soloist (old or new) ?