Saxophones Selmer Balanced Action

GJ77

Member
I just spent an afternoon wandering around the west end visiting some music shops and playing some saxes and found that I particularly liked a Selmer Balanced Action that I tried. Fantastic and versatile sound with ergonomics that I could live with. I much preferred it to anything else I tried today (including several modern Japanese and Taiwanese makers; a Conn 6M and a couple of Mk6 Selmers). What are others thoughts on these?
 
A superb almost universally loved horn ......
I`ve only played the slightly newer Super-Balanced Action and that was lovely but the B.A is just as revered overall . I`ve heard quite a few who prefer these two to the MkVI and seems to be more consistent sample to sample than the MkVI too from what`s been said .
 
I play a SBA alto and I have overhauled several BA's. They get a nice sound but the intonation is a bit spotty compared with the SBA. It is nothing that can't be worked around and adjusted somewhat by a knowledgeable tech. All in all they are excellent saxes.
 
I had a SBA alto when I was about 20, it was lovely, great in sound and intonation.. I got it from some old boy for about £200 ( it was the 1970s mind! ) I probably did something mad like trade it for something else ( a far less wonderful tenor I think) ..sheesh..shoulda kept that one 🙁
 
I remember seeing a video comparing the SBA with the MkVI. Same player/mouthpiece/reed. For me the SBA sounded a lot better - bigger warmer/darker. I think the keywork was the difference between the BA and the SBA. Sounds like a good move to get it.
 
Not sure I would replace one for the other. S80II altos are often great horns. I would rather add a Cigar Cutter (Selmer Super Sax) to the family.
 
Whenever I've tried a cigar cutter the ergonomics have been a little too off-putting for me. On the BA however I instantly felt comfortable and she sang so sweetly. GAS alert.
 
Whenever I've tried a cigar cutter the ergonomics have been a little too off-putting for me. On the BA however I instantly felt comfortable and she sang so sweetly. GAS alert.

Can you have the BA and the SA80 living together at home for, say, three months before having to sell one or the other?
 

Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

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