Saxophones How will Tariffs affect Sax Prices?

[rhysonsax]

IMO, the latest stencil "intermediate" (called "premium beginner" ) sax from Selmer appears to be of Chinese origin. It is sold under the US label of Selmer as the Conn Selmer USA branch of Henri Selmer France.
........

Selmer USA's own website says "We are also proud to be the North American distributor for Henri Selmer Paris woodwinds". I think that means that they are not "the USA branch of Henri Selmer Paris".

Rhys

 

[Woodpad]

UMI and the Selmer company merged in 2003 owned by Steinway musical instruments which is now owned by Paulson & co.

 

[ghostler]

Selmer USA's own website says "We are also proud to be the North American distributor for Henri Selmer Paris woodwinds". I think that means that they are not "the USA branch of Henri Selmer Paris".

They use a USA address and are a part of the Henri Selmer Paris corporate structure; I don't know how else you could call it. Perhaps same thought with different words? 😉

About Conn Selmer

Learn details and the history of Conn Selmer as a company.

www.connselmer.eu

UMI and the Selmer company merged in 2003 owned by Steinway musical instruments which is now owned by Paulson & co.

Interesting, this I was unaware of, thanks for the info.

Or else it could be a very good unlikelihood. How would you/we know?

This is the Café, has anyone ever let the facts interfere with a good story? (Just kidding.) 😀

Charlie Parker was said to occasionally show up for a gig with a beginner model sax.

Having played various saxes from beginner to intermediate to pro grade for a long time, have found (at least in my case) that it is the instrumentalist who makes the sax sing. The model only assists.

However in my dreams I would like to think that my "Venus" is a Selmer in disguise.

...

I am only using this video as satire to help lighten up this conversation, not promoting this as a professional performance example. I have my own impressions of the person's performance, but outside of the scope to share here.

The tariffs will over time have some form of impact, but probably more detrimental to US saxophone players than elsewhere. But, like in all things, those "Ramen eating" muscians will continue to roll with the punches.

 

[greenstripe]

IMO, the latest stencil "intermediate" (called "premium beginner" ) sax from Selmer appears to be of Chinese origin. It is sold under the US label of Selmer as the Conn Selmer USA branch of Henri Selmer France. Notice the double supported bell lower note pad cups.

Selmer Tenor Saxophone in Bb STS301

Learn more about the Selmer Tenor Saxophone in Bb STS301.

connselmer.com

By calling it a "Selmer", it currently is selling for $3,369.00 US, example:
Musician's Friend: Selmer 300 Series Tenor Saxophone Lacquer Nickel Plated Keys
I don't want to sound facetious, but I bought my Venus tenor sax new from E-Bay seller Musical Wheel roughly a decade ago for around $430 US.
View attachment 28500
Musical Wheel photo that I saved on my hard drive. They no longer offer tenor saxes for sale.

It appears a very good likelihood that in essence, one is buying a Venus tenor as a Selmer. Without tariffs, appears that I saved 90% off the Conn-Selmer "marketing tariff" with my "Selmer premium beginner" buy.
(Does this mean I can now call my Venus Tenor a "Selmer"?)

Selmer USA is a distributor and not a subsidiary of Selmer Paris. The brand was started by Henri Selmer's brother Alexandre who settled in America and started a business in the early 1900s.

These days they're part of the Steinway group (pianos) and they are the official USA distributor of many brands including Henri Selmer Paris.

All things aside the brand Conn Selmer offer range of intermediate instruments that are very well regarded and I'm pretty sure they are all made in the Far East.

Whether their business remains viable due to the developing situation is another matter as I'm sure nearly all of their brands are imported.

 

[ghostler]

Selmer USA is a distributor and not a subsidiary of Selmer Paris. The brand was started by Henri Selmer's brother Alexandre who settled in America and started a business in the early 1900s.

These days they're part of the Steinway group (pianos) and they are the official USA distributor of many brands including Henri Selmer Paris.

All things aside the brand Conn Selmer offer range of intermediate instruments that are very well regarded and I'm pretty sure they are all made in the Far East.

Whether their business remains viable due to the developing situation is another matter as I'm sure nearly all of their brands are imported.

Thank you. I found an interesting article on the acquisition of Henri Selmer Paris by Argos Wityu.

Argos Wityu has Completed the Acquisition of Henri Selmer Paris, from its Founding Family - Argos Wityu

Argos Wityu has Completed the Acquisition of Henri Selmer Paris, from its Founding Family !#!03/22/2018 - Press Release!#! France, Mantes-la-Ville and

web.archive.org

If there isn't already a thread, perhaps someone here who is much, much more familiar with Selmer Paris and Selmer USA , provide informational new thread(s) on the current state of these entities with historical background?

Forgive me, but with my fragmented knowledge (or ignorance for what it is worth) on the somewhat seeming confusion on company organisation, had no intent that we fork this thread into a sideline discussion that really deserves another topic.

Or, tie this back to how Tariffs will affect Sax Prices?

 

[ESJohn]

Just checked Amazon. The lowest price alto is $229.99 (Glory) and the Jean Paul AS400 is going for $627.02. I think they used to go for around $450-$500. There is a "coupon" on the Glory that brings it down to $208.99.

Trump announced a 104% tariff on China today. Amazon is selling the AS400 for $629.50 and the Glory is still available with the coupon for $208.99 with the "regular" price (if there is such a thing on Amazon) unchanged.
So far, I see little pressure on saxophone prices at the opening price point level.

 

[Hoosierken]

So far, I believe that Temu, Ali, and such are managing to avoid the tariffs by using individual shipments. I just looked the prices for alto and soprano saxes appear unchanged.

 

[wakyct]

US Customs will collect the tariff, I think de minimis is defunct. So I don't think Ali etc. prices will change? You'll just pay more to clear customs.

 

[ghostler]

Trump announced a 104% tariff on China today. Amazon is selling the AS400 for $629.50 and the Glory is still available with the coupon for $208.99 with the "regular" price (if there is such a thing on Amazon) unchanged.
So far, I see little pressure on saxophone prices at the opening price point level.

Perhaps the Glory and Jean Paul AS400 are being sold from inventory already within the US, and therefore the seller has no incentive to increase their prices yet?

No one wants to lose money by selling lower than wholesale. Once US tariffs truly take effect and are fully implemented, then it will be reflected in the final selling price of those saxes imported to US after the date.

Other countries have their own policies toward China, and as such may not see the impact on saxes as those in US, would be my guess.

 

[JazzFanAZ]

American cars are not sold globally except for Tesla. I haven't been to the us for 20 years now, so I don't know how or if they improved. But as a general rule, I think that many US products are very poor simply because the market is not as demanding as the European one for example where products must suit various cultures and expectations.

A global economy is the only way forward. Competition should push companies to get better. Protectionism is bad news.

EU tariffs on U.S. vehicles are incredibly high.

I know not all that long ago Buick was a big seller in China, though those cars were made in China

 

[Woodpad]

Trump announced a 104% tariff on China today. Amazon is selling the AS400 for $629.50 and the Glory is still available with the coupon for $208.99 with the "regular" price (if there is such a thing on Amazon) unchanged.
So far, I see little pressure on saxophone prices at the opening price point level.

The JBS1000 also didn't move on the other side of the Pond.

 

[Woodpad]

EU tariffs on U.S. vehicles are incredibly high.

It is (among others) dependent on the CO2 production per km.

 

[ghostler]

US Customs will collect the tariff, I think de minimis is defunct. So I don't think Ali etc. prices will change? You'll just pay more to clear customs.

Thanks for the link. I read the text of it. Basically, even purchasing small cost items from China have been hit hard, if I am reading the text of the article.

CLOSING LOOPHOLES IN THE TARIFF SYSTEM: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order eliminating duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value imports from China, [...]

• Following the Secretary of Commerce’s notification that adequate systems are in place to collect tariff revenue, President Trump is ending duty-free de minimis treatment for covered goods from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Hong Kong starting May 2, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
  • Imported goods sent through means other than the international postal network that are valued at or under $800 and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption will be subject to all applicable duties, which shall be paid in accordance with applicable entry and payment procedures.
  • All relevant postal items containing goods that are sent through the international postal network that are valued at or under $800 and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption are subject to a duty rate of either 30% of their value or $25 per item (increasing to $50 per item after June 1, 2025). This is in lieu of any other duties, including those imposed by prior Orders.

If I am reading this correctly, basically,this will end all small order packages by US consumers. In the past I was ordering saxophone replacement pad kits for between $10 US and $20 US. I am not sure how the specific Federal Code of Regulations will be worded in carrying this intent out.

If it is worded "30% of say invoice or $25, which ever is greater," then basically it ends all small order personal packages. I was ordering pads, bulk cork material, swabs, cork grease, and etc. from China. Also I was ordering model aeroplane tyres, radio control servos, transmitter frequency modules and receivers, and other accessories as well.

With all the changes, I could see a lot of out-of-stock items from US sources that relies on goods from China (nearly all) until the supply change stabilises.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Please note I have had to delete some political posts. Looks like we may be closing the thread if there are any more.

The topic is about tariffs on saxophones and effect on prices. Yes it may touch on economics in general but is not for discussion of the merits of policies whether economic or political.

 

[jonf]

EU tariffs on U.S. vehicles are incredibly high.

I know not all that long ago Buick was a big seller in China, though those cars were made in China

EU tariffs on US vehicles are currently 10%. It is likely they will increase to reciprocate the planned tariffs on EU cars going into the US. Currently the EU exports about 7 times more cars to the US than it imports from the US, basically as EU bult cars are far more popular in the US than US built cars are in Europe.

 

[jonf]

Please note I have had to delete some political posts. Looks like we may be closing the thread if there are any more.

The topic is about tariffs on saxophones and effect on prices and is not for discussion of the merits of policies whether economic or political.

I think it is amazing we have got to 7 pages of posts so far.......

 

[Pete Thomas]

I think it is amazing we have got to 7 pages of posts so far.......

Yes it is.

Now, back to saxophones…

 

[jonf]

Yes it is.

Now, back to saxophones…

Quite.

One thing I have been musing is what levels of stock are held. Unless stock is in bonded wharehouses, any hostoric tariffs will have been paid. So, if the major US distributors carry large stock of saxophones (and I really don't know whether they do or not) there may be a period while these are being used up, before higher prices come into effect. Something to watch out for.

 

[Pete Thomas]

So, if the major US distributors carry large stock of saxophones (and I really don't know whether they do or not) there may be a period while these are being used up, before higher prices come into effect. Something to watch out for.

Exactly so buy while the existing untariifed stock exists. However that doesn't mean an opportunist importer with a large warehouse of stuff won't jut put the prices up anyway, as they see competitors with less stock put prices up necessarily due to paying tariffs.

 

[mizmar]

However that doesn't mean an opportunist importer with a large warehouse of stuff won't jut put the prices up anyway, as they see competitors with less stock put prices up necessarily due to paying tariffs.

With respect, that is how capitalism works.
If you have stock and the price drops, you make a loss. If the price/value increase, you make (more profit).
Maybe it'd be unscrupulous if we're talking medicines or essential goods; but saxophones are rarely critical for life.