Saxophones Selmer Supreme alto (quick look)

[Grumps]

Always wanted an Alto Sax made of silver or grenadilla.

It's been some years since I tried Yanagisawa's silver horns, but they were always seemingly the better playing horns shown at the Symposium; and at least on one occasion were the best in show for me one year. I remember a bari in particular that was a true joy to give a go. And not to say it's the material doing the magic, as I suppose much more care goes into making them.

 

[turf3]

It's been some years since I tried Yanagisawa's silver horns, but they were always seemingly the better playing horns shown at the Symposium; and at least on one occasion were the best in show for me one year. I remember a bari in particular that was a true joy to give a go. And not to say it's the material doing the magic, as I suppose much more care goes into making them.

And on would hope that any instruments placed on display would have been very carefully gone through and fettled.

 

[Stephen Howard]

It's been some years since I tried Yanagisawa's silver horns, but they were always seemingly the better playing horns shown at the Symposium; and at least on one occasion were the best in show for me one year. I remember a bari in particular that was a true joy to give a go. And not to say it's the material doing the magic, as I suppose much more care goes into making them.

I played their solid silver bari - it's a beast! Practically plays itself.
But on the whole, the more an instrument costs the more likely a manufacturer will have given it some special attention.
On the whole, mind.

 

[PigSquealer]

And on would hope that any instruments placed on display would have been very carefully gone through and fettled.

You’d be surprised how many are not. Three times I’ve been to NAMM. Every time there was at least one horn that fell apart while viewing. Top makers. I fixed one tenor on the spot that @skeller047 attempted to play this year.

 

[thomsax]

Leaving the factory with toneholes not level, return for refund.
They can replace it with a different one made right.

Now we are talking in a more "second-line-sax-think". Life was easier without/less QC.

If the tonehole is wrapped/un-even, install a thicker pad. Still with solid contact of the back of the key cup.

Eddie Shaw played Bundy/Bundy II tenors. Still riding high in the heaven? With a S20, Supreme, Bundy II .....?

Have fun and a meaningful time with your saxes.

 

[r. giuseppe]

If the tonehole is wrapped/un-even, install a thicker pad. Still with solid contact of the back of the key cup.

I‘m not a tech, but I have experience with saxes and different repair philosophies over almost 40 years. And I believe this one is not merely a matter of taste. I have had setups that stay well for a year or two and others that stay well for a decade or more with only minor tweaks. The latter were set up play-free with perfectly aligned cups, carefully levelled toneholes and not-too-soft pads of the right thickness to allow an even installation in the aligned cup.

If I need to fix something on my horns, I can get it leak free for the moment with all sorts of “soft compensation” of my lack of precision, including plenty of shellac/glue, softer pads, teflon wrapping etc. But it does neither stay like this for the same amount of time, nor does it feel the same. I think on the long run it definitely is even cheaper to do it right in the first place. Stays good forever.

 

[Grumps]

I played their solid silver bari - it's a beast! Practically plays itself.

My lord... there it is. Common ground!

 

[ghostler]

Eddie Shaw [1937 – 2018] played Bundy/Bundy II tenors. Still riding high in the heaven? With a S20, Supreme, Bundy II .....?

Goes to show that it is the player that makes the sax sing. The sax is a tool. Maybe not everybody's cup of tea, but IMO the Bundy II's are decent. Put a good mouthpiece to it and it will sing. No one will ever know the difference. Last year picked up another Bundy II alto project sax for a song.

 

[Colin the Bear]

That really does depend on the style you're playing. Some bebop and classical passages need a very slick action.

If you're knocking out romantic or swing melodies it's more about tone and phrasing.

It's nice to play an instrument that is more capable than the player. It's happened to me often.

 

[r. giuseppe]

Goes to show that it is the player that makes the sax sing. The sax is a tool.

True. Needless to mention that for serious work the quality of the tools makes all the difference. 🙂

 

[ghostler]

True. Needless to mention that for serious work the quality of the tools makes all the difference. 🙂

But some lesser cost tools are quality and do the same work as the exclusively pricey ones. 😉

 

[Colin the Bear]

Spoken like a true thrift shop hunter. 😂

 

[ghostler]

Spoken like a true thrift shop hunter. 😂

I even use coupons buying Ramen.

 

[ghostler]

It's nice to play an instrument that is more capable than the player. It's happened to me often.

True. Perhaps my comments may seem lackadaisical, but you are earning a living off your sax. I don't make money off my playing. No video camera is going to zoom in on my sax bell and highlight "Vito" or "Bundy II" for a TV audience. 😉

I was a junior (11th grade) in high school when my parents bought me a new Yamaha YAS-61 pro alto. It played very well in tune and was easier to finger, unlike like school student loaner saxes of the 1960's. Its keys felt more natural, more fluid, more quiet.

There is nothing wrong with putting into the hands of a serious, progressing student a good intermediate or pro model sax. It eliminates issues of intonation and other issues that a pro or advanced player might be able to tolerate.

Although I must say that some (not all) of the so-called entry level horns are quite good these days, even make a good busking sax for a pro or advanced player who doesn't want to risk damage to their more expensive better model. Or, as a backup sax when their pro model is being serviced.

 

[r. giuseppe]

But some lesser cost tools are quality and do the same work as the exclusively pricey ones. 😉

Sure, and it takes only a bit of experience to recognize quality beyond the price tag. I think I’ve been promoting a Chinese horn in this thread (and I admit I just sold my last trusty Selmer sax in exchange for it as backup for my Conn. The Eastman is the better tool for me - now it’s out). But I do hate bad tools. There is only one thing worse and that’s kids given bad tools and being told it’s appropriate for them.

 

[r. giuseppe]

I was a junior (11th grade) in high school when my parents bought me a new Yamaha YAS-61 pro alto.

Your parents did a really great thing! I’m sure there would have been cheaper options…
I submitted my last post before I read this story of your 61.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Small update - had a client bring in a Ref.36 tenor for a service today and it turns out he's bought a Supreme alto - so I've asked him to bring it in next week when he picks up the tenor.
Our initial conversation suggests that he's not that enamoured with it and feels he should have bought a Ref.54.

It'll be interesting to see how it stacks up against the one I saw recently.

 

[ghostler]

Sure, and it takes only a bit of experience to recognize quality beyond the price tag. I think I’ve been promoting a Chinese horn in this thread (and I admit I just sold my last trusty Selmer sax in exchange for it as backup for my Conn. The Eastman is the better tool for me - now it’s out).

I've mentioned this before, but to make up for my nicked YAS-61 in 1999, around 2002 I bought from eBay a recenttly serviced Selmer Bundy II alto for $140, which served me for my personal "hobbyist" use until I gave it away to a prospective junior high student after servicing earlier this year.

Around 2008 I bought a used Antigua Winds (Taiwan) alto for around $400 on eBay. I was surprised it played as well as my YAS-61. Used it in community band and as part of a 2020 jazz combo in Eastern New Mexico University Jazz Concert. Had Tarpley Music service it last year.

But I do hate bad tools. There is only one thing worse and that’s kids given bad tools and being told it’s appropriate for them.

Yes. @helen mentioned in an earlier thread that when Yamaha showed up on the scene early 1970's, as a high school band teacher, it was a game changer. Its better quality assurance provided the student with a decent instrument. Teachers then could concentrate on helping the student with their play versus sorting out instrument problems.

I have 2 budget Chinese saxes, a Venus sop (2012) and Venus tenor (2014). My reason for buying these were based on favourable forum comments and no negative ones, in comparison to other brands. I have found them to be decent players, intermediate in quality. These are no longer being marketed. Had Tarpley Music service them last year.

Your parents did a really great thing! I’m sure there would have been cheaper options…
I submitted my last post before you told this story of your 61.

There is more to the story. My music teacher, Mr. Tamanaha announced in band class that the Yamaha distributor in Honolulu was offering a school year end sale to schools, half off on all their professional instruments. They were about to receive a new shipment from Japan and needed to clear their warehouse.

I brought the ad home, showed my parents. My father wrote out a check for about $240, gave it to my band teacher. 2 weeks later, he called me into his office and handed me a brand new YAS-61.

What was weird then on Yamaha was the same exact comments we hear now on some newer brands: "The metal is soft, the keys bend easily. Do yourself a favour and get a Conn, Buescher, Selmer, LeBlanc, Buffet Crampon", and etc.

Back to cheap saxes being sold on-line, I have been purchasing brand name used student saxes, servicing or having them serviced for about the cost of these budget saxes. Then donate them. The prospective player then receives a good sax versus one of possibly dubious quality.

 

[Stephen Howard]

What was weird then on Yamaha was the same exact comments we hear now on some newer brands: "The metal is soft, the keys bend easily. Do yourself a favour and get a Conn, Buescher, Selmer, LeBlanc, Buffet Crampon", and etc.

When I was at college, learning the (very) basics of my trade, one of the lecturers told me that my Yamaha horns would fall apart in 10 years.
That was in 1978. I'm still waiting for them to fall apart.

People say stuff - and it's all fun and games until some killjoy says "OK, let's put it to the test!"...and then it very often (if not always) turns out that what they're saying is (ahem) incorrect.

I love testing stuff.

 

[Colin the Bear]

There's a lot of prejudice in some opinions.