Re: Interesting.. Selmer Seles Axos - Price
Helpfully, Kessler & Sons has posted the price for the Axos although the horn is not yet available. Here's where it stands compared to likely substitute choices. These are the normal street prices in the United States - no eBay specials - for standard lacquer models. Selmer and Yanagisawa prices are from Kessler's; Yamaha prices are from the Woodwind and Brasswind:
$2,919 Selmer USA AS42
$2,937 Yamaha YAS-62III
$3,235 Yanagisawa A-WO1
$4,000 Yamaha YAS-82ZII
$4,000 Yamaha YAS-875EX
$4,025 Yanagisawa A-WO2 (bronze)
$4,295 SeleS Axos
$4,325 Yanagisawa A-WO10
$4,975 Yanagisawa A-WO20 (bronze)
$5,759 Selmer Paris SA80 Series II Jubilee
$6,479 Selmer Paris SA80 Series III Jubilee
I don't discount the importance of the used saxophone market. All these manufacturers are competing against themselves to an extent, particularly Selmer Paris (I just purchased a used Series II in great condition for much less than any of the prices shown above). However, the Axos requires new buyers to succeed, so how will it fare among this field? There's probably a difference in market perception between an "entry-level Selmer" and a "student Selmer." Selmer USA tried to position the AS42 as the former; others here can judge the outcome of that maneuver. If the Axos sounds and feels almost like a Series II or III, it may earn "entry-level" pro status. But if it is deemed just another decent horn, albeit made in France, I'm not so sure.
Selmer Paris seems to be trying to prevent the SeleS sax from cannibalizing Selmer horn sales - trying perhaps too hard. The Axos webpage, downloadable brochure, and promotional video all avoid describing the Axos as a "professional" saxophone. In fact, the goal seems to be to contrast the Axos with the professional horns, e.g., "The
way in which the strategic part of the saxophone, the bore, is treated in our metal workshops is as rigorous as the treatment of the professional models." And Claude Delangle calls the Axos a good instrument for "young musicians and not-so-young musicians." Isn't that code for "students and amateurs"?