Why Selmer Released ANOTHER New Saxophone - Signature Review
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- Опубліковано 23 вер 2023
- #bettersax #saxophone #selmer
Jay Metcalf reviews the Selmer Signature alto and tenor saxophones and compares the Selmer Supreme.
Selmer Signature Alto - geni.us/5zV0r3B
Selmer Signature Tenor - geni.us/n6YBQrX
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Frankly speaking, just having instruments as expensive as these won't make me play better. Another issue is that the vast majority of musical work for the vast majority of musicians in the world is always playing small jobs as a free lancer or teaching. The cost-benefit does not compensate for such a high investment. Having a good instrument, mouthpiece, ligature and reed and studying hard already guarantees quality for the work. It's my opinion. Amazing video, congratulations.
Common sense response. New Selmers are out of budget for most gigging musos. I'm sure these are lovely horns. But so are Yamaha, Yani, Cannonball etc. At about half the price (for the Supreme anyway). Spoiler alert: Selmers are not made of mithril by elven craftsmen. You are paying extra for the little logo on the bell and the iconic S on the octave key.
@@marklangsax1168great statement by far my friend. That being said I was blown away because I really love the P. Mauriat PMXA-67R Series professional Alto Saxophone and it's my dream sax. But again price. I ended up purchasing the Chateau Brand Professional Alto Saxophone then I learned it's done by the same P. Mauriat company. Go figure. I was so impressed in how close they looked like. The mate gold tone and after reading about the company it's when I learn Chateau and P. Mauriat are one and the same. Not sure where each company are located ( the company that build them ) I'm sure it's not in the same place but under the same company all the same. I really like selmers Saxophone. But the vintage Saxophone. I am Not entirely sold on the new Saxophone.
I'm a Army Veteran who fought in Desert Storm and got severely injured. Losing my leg and other medical issues so I play the Saxophone as music therapy. Nothing would make more happy than to be able to purchase my dream sax. One Day!!! Lol
I couldn’t tell the difference in sound between the Signature and Supreme tenor. Both wonderful!
As a bari player I’m still upset there isn’t any new models or an affordable model bari coming out. 😢
There is a new student Eastman bari coming.
@@stveloop9452 that’s right! I forgot about that one!
Here here couldn’t agree more. Why on earth are baris literally twice as expensive as a tenor in the same model and with the same exact finish?!! It’s ridiculous! And shameless. Example: (via Sweetwater’s site today): Series III tenor in basic gold lacquer : $8,565. Series III Bari in same gold lacquer. $15,957!!! $16,000 for a Bari!!!! Why?!? There’s no good reason whatsoever. None. $16 grand will buy you a brand new car for crying out loud!!! Where’s the engine? The lights? The AC? The stereo system and cruise control? You get what I mean. The economics just don’t make any sense…
@ScottRutledge from my understanding, at least with Selmer Paris, a lot of the alto and tenor parts are assisted by CNC or similar machining. For sopranos and baritones (nino and bass too) a lot of work is still being done by hand which combined with the much larger amount of raw material required to make baritones drives their price up. I’m right there with you though, I’d love for there to be a more affordable bari from the top brands.
Affoardable bari? what have you been snorting mate.
Heard the rumors and been quietly freaking out, thanks for clearly spelling out the changes. I tried a supreme alto and it was really wonderful, I suspect this new one will rock too but still its crazy to feel the tectonic shift that is the turning of the selmer models. This is like a new elder scrolls game coming out.
It sounds like the supreme has a slightly brighter sound when listening to the two different sounds that it produces. But amazing video as always, I love watching these videos as im only in high school and trying to get better at the saxophone. Thank you so much for everything you do on here!!!
Thanks for watching!
My first tenor was an Axos. I am a beginner, basically learning by ear. I play other instruments and come from a rock n roll background. I really like the Axos. If I ever have more money than I do now, I'd like either of these upgrades. I am French too, so let's keep the business here. Thanks for the demo, Jay.
Great comparison video. You nailed it: A good (great) saxophone lets you sound how you want to sound. The difference between high quality instruments is how it feels.
Both tenors sound wonderful.For me "Supreme " sounds a little bit darker,but both instruments are great!
They both sound as Jay Metcalf.
Both tenors sound wonderful. I heard slightly more "maturity" in the Supreme sound which I liked better. That was just a word that popped into my mind when hearing them side by side. Having said that, I don't think I could tell the difference in a blind test either.
Really great video again. Many thanks.
On a blind test, both sounds great, and without differences.
Thanks Jay for another Great video as always, love the consistently high quality and high value add content!
I would love to try these out
The supreme is just insanely beautiful
Thanks so much for sharing, and I truly appreciate your videos! I personally could not tell much difference. I am sure others have very much more finely tuned ears than I do! I appreciated your comment at the beginning about how misinformation can start to spread like crazy... That is so true... Thank you so much!
I discern no appreciable difference in tone between the Signature and Supreme, and I appreciate your comment about how they feel on the player side. I suspected that was the real difference. Thank you for the information on the two necks. I play a Ref36 tenor and recently bought a BSS Heritage neck that I now use over the original Ref 36 neck; it is freer-blowing and (to me) provides more color. Aside from choice of mouthpiece, neck makes a difference in feel.
You showed your mouthpiece with an Ishimori classic ligature, looks awesome! By the way, my vote goes to the supreme, sounds with more presence and less resistance, while the signature sounds darker.
Thank you. Supreme sounds more mellow/ darker and the Signature brighter. Both great horns. God bless you. Bilt. Uk
Stumbled on you channel by accident. I played the Tenor Sax briefly in Jr High School sadly I didn't continue. Your video sparked my curiosity. I wonder if. I'll start my search for an instrument. Thanks.
Series ll continue.. he is a survivor! Because? I think it's because it is one of the best of all time.😊
I'll stick with what I have until I sound supreme on my Mark VI, or P.Mauriat. Currently it sounds like I'll be here a while. I'll improve my sound via a Better Sax course and save up to $11,600. Thanks for the eye candy Jay.
Another useful video. I like feeling part of the sax community. Watching the comments come in. Will probably never buy one of these selmers, but fun to dream a little and decide to practice instead.
Can you please ask them for the Supreme tenors the silver plated and the solid silver one to compare with the lacquer one that you have, nobody chow any time does Saxophones, to get to hear the differences, thanks so much for your hard work.
Supreme has a more focused harder sound, which I prefer, while the Signature’s tone is softer, more open.. imho.
Great video! Thank you 🌟
It's interesting that Selmer is introducing two new horns while they have customers waiting for the Supreme tenor. I would imagine there are hundreds waiting for the Supreme. Both of the horns in this review sound very good.
Is the Selmer Supreme free blowing like the Yani Elite you play, sounds quite similar?, Jay
imo i kinda like the closed sound of signature compared to the open sound of supreme , that mellow is what im looking for
The Supreme has a very warm sound Jay. That's my choice!
I was playing the alto sax when you posted this
me too
@@lucasjustice Alto buddies?
Hi Jay - great video by the way - I paused the video at the part where you were talking about the low Bflat to C Sharp action - Are you able to do a video that is just about issues associated with low Bflat to B to C to C#. I find that my saxophone (and every sax I seem to play) seems to ever so slightly want to open up the C key on the transition from low B flat to B and it is rather annoying. I saw you mention quickly the transition from B flat to C# there - Can you give us a little more on this?
If anything it’s a minor improvement. Nothing game changing here.
Great video Jay! Is Jerome Selmer mostly/ completely/semi retired now? It sounds like Selmer is now run by a luxury brand board, or was acquired. Is that correct? If not, who from the Selmer family is there every week? Thanks again for all your hard work!
How does the Supreme compare to the reference 36? They’re heavily discounting the reference prices right now and I’m unsure what route to go.
Hadn’t played sax since 1967 when I graduated from high school. At 74 I decided I had time to play again. So I picked up a 2013 Jubilee alto. Compared to my old 57 Naked Lady that my son has (and won’t give back) this new Selmer Jubilee is much more friendly to my 74 year old fingers. She can scream with a Claude Lakey jazz mouthpiece or be warm as melted butter with a Meyer 5. Got a good deal on the Jubilee and I’m sticking with it.
Good afternoon Jay l am an avid follower of yours posts. I have a very important question for you. Do any of these insts have adjustment screws on the upper and lower stacks. I have a series 2 tenor and it does not have these screws. Does Selmer have them on any of their saxes.
Hey, Jay. Love your saxamaphoning vidz - just killer. Is it my imagination or is there less back pressure on the Supreme than the Signature (you do talk about this at 6m40)? I remember briefly switching to a Keilwerth SX90 back in the day and feeling like I needed so much more support to blow the thing. When I listen to you playing side-by-side, I hear something similar: bigger sound on the Supreme but more open and faster air out the end (if that makes sense)? Is this a comparable xp or am I just transposing my xp onto this vid?
Yes, like I said in the video, the Supreme has less resistance. It feels very easy to play.
might seem random but what should I look for in a saxophone for marching? Just curious, I don''t think it matters too much.
I felt the supreme had a more "direct" sound, while the signature had a more "diffuse" or almost muffled sound. Both sounded great, neither "better" than the other, just slightly different.
Shame the series 3 was discontinued, I was interested in the "harmonic key" option they offered on it. Selmer used to offer extra keywork on their instruments, like an enhanced or full boehm system on their clarinets, and things like right hand G-sharp, fork E-flat, and high C-D trill keys on their mark VI (called the "concert or "conservatory" model).
Are there any plans for a Bari in either model?
After hearing the Signature tenor and Supreme tenor, but before being influenced by anyone else's opinion, I perceive the Supreme to sound significantly more open, with a tone that can really cut through. The Signature sounds more restrained and more mellow to me, even slightly stuffy by comparison.
I agree! Supreme seems to have a brighter sound, or as you said cuts through more. Signature seems to have an slightly warmer and darker tone. Although, i do have to say that they are similar, its just a small difference in my opinion.
Any chance of a review of the Axos line?
Should I buy a Yanagisawa AW01, Or this New SelmarSignature? Which in your Opinion Would be the Better Buy?
Regarding the Signature series, the Tenor has that Selmer Tenor sound that I like. The Alto, not so much.
If I was in the market, I'd put a Selmer Tenor on the list of options, but shop primarily Yany for an Alto. I love the Yanagisawa Alto sound, even if it's not as powerful as some other makers.
The Supreme sounded a bit richer to me initially and the Signature a bit drier (not in a bad way). But after the first few examples I stopped hearing it. A lot is lost through a microphone, UA-cam compression, and cheap monitor speakers so I doubt I could tell the difference in a blind test without hearing them in person. Cool to hear that the necks are interchangeable. Low keys and some resistance would be my ideal combo, not that I can afford either one and I'd probably check out a Yani first anyway.
Can you please compare the AMT mic with the new Neumann and the LD system microphone please to be able to decide
how is the resistance of the altos compared to your yanni? thx
Excellent video and advice as with your other videos. I guess I was really lucky that I got my alto sax reference 64 many years ago before the price went up due to the fluctuations of the yen and the euro. I still love that horn and so does my oldest daughter who has been playing her YAS-280 for a little over a year.
Thanks!
Thanks for the great comparison video. Do you know which dealers do the best setups.? And have them in stock?
That I can’t say for sure but the best dealers have strong reputations and can be found online.
Hi, thanks for getting back to me.
Would you consider selling your Selmer Supreme Tenor if it has the dark lacquer finish.?
James
Hello Mr Metcalf, I recently received an Alto Burnin Mouthpiece and it sounds great. I really want it to keep that way and was wondering if you can take your time to create a video explaining how to take care of it, how to clean it, how to store it etc. If you could that I would be extremely grateful. I have been learning from your videos for a long time and I am excited for the future of the channel. Thank you! 🎷🎼🙏
Who is Mr. James?
@@FunkOsax In thought Jay was short for james
great horns, I know there are so many options for half of the price but personally, I would definitely want one of these if I could afford, I would like if you had played both necks on both horns, I have a feeling the Signature with the Supreme neck may change everything.
Hi Jay ; I couldn’t tell the difference in the sound. And was not surprised to learn that the difference was in how they felt. Thanks for sharing - got to watch them being made now!
I'll take two!
:D
Any news about the BETTER SAX tenor? 😊
Both sounded good. It seemed that the Supreme was a little more "present."
For 10K, they should be good for any style. Great info in this video!
Hey I'm looking for advice. I wanna buy a horn and went to try a few in a shop. The thing is I don't seem to hear the difference in my playing with 500$ or 2000$ horn. Do you think it is because i am too much of a begginer (2years). I used a very bad mouthpiece, could it be that?
Do you think buying a low cost (max 800) and a good mouthpiece >200$ would be the correct play?
I started with a $300 Chinese sax from Amazon. I returned it and got the Better Sax Alto for $900. I love it. As pretty and great sounding as the two new Selmer's are, I can't imagine them giving me eight or nine times the pleasure that the Better Sax does.
Sheeeesh! 😚
As a guitar player I would make this parallel....Sig is like a good Strat neck pickup (warm and crisp)....Sup is like a good Seth Lover humbucker (fuller and darker than a Strat, but warm and clear).
What ligature is that at 6:40?
From the short time that I have been researching saxophones it seems that there is a premium placed on shorter key heights. I guess it makes sense to be able to play faster with less effort, but is the thousand dollar premium worth it to most sax players? What is your take on this situation in the market?
I believe I heard a slight richer sound on the Supreme model and I know I would prefer playing one for the ease of it.
They are sounding very similar but I the supreme is my choice if I had the money i e!
Supreme Tenor are out of stock everywhere. Not sure when they are coming back in stock
by the way…what ligature are you usin on those tenors jay…
Ishimori
I've got some idea to make film about Selmer Mark 7? That's the most underrated saxophone of Henri Selmer production because it was made after iconic Mark 6. What do you think about this?
I think removing those models and only leaving the higher end and more expensive models don’t make it budget friendly at all. When it came between my Yamaha custom z and a selmer series 3, I had to go for the Yamaha due to the price
And you did the right thing. Many of us have done the same thing. Selmers are very good but they're not magic and there is no sense overpaying.
From the examples the Supreme seems to have a little more "ooomph!" on the sound, although the Signature has a more sweet and controlled sound… Does that make sense?
How does it compare to a BetterSax sax?
good
I have played both the Signature and Supreme Alto and Tenor. They are both really good but the Supreme for me was better in the tone department and ergonomic department. The Sax they shouldn’t have discontinued was the ref 54 alto. That’s my main horn and it feels exactly like a late mark VI except it doesn’t have the typical MK VI quirks. If I was in the market for an Alto I’d consider the Ref 54 and Supreme and really nothing else.
I play a Reference 54 alto myself (upgraded from a Series 2 about a year ago now) and I agree, it’s a fantastic horn, by far the best alto I’ve ever played or owned. So free blowing, plays equally effortlessly in the lowest register and the highest register and altissimo with the least amount of effort of any horn I’ve ever played. Love the centered core tone, it has a nice balance or warmth and core, I have to agree, it’s very similar to a late VI except better in every way, modern ergos and (mostly) improved intonation (exception: middle C# which is still horrific, my one wish would’ve been for Selmer to add the vented C# they designed into the series III originally also into the Ref 54… don’t know why they didn’t do that since the reference line came out like what, 5 years after the III?) Haven’t played either of these new ones yet but will be doing so soon to assess which should replace my old tenor (my main horn).
I love my ref 54 alto ❤
I sit next to some one with a ref 54 alto and am jealous with its raw rich tone at the time was playing alto series 2 but moved to yani tenor
Do you think this one is better than the SA80II from de 80's and earlie 90's? I have a SA80II from 1988, that's why I'm asking.
Selmer will take your money and tell you that it sounds better.😊
Selmer Saxophones used to be ALL out of adjustment when delivered , needing lot of work of a technician to set up. And it is also known... that the sound among Selmer new horns can very greatly. Some are even terrible sounding ones, and others are heavenly sounding horns.
U have a brighter intonation with the signature than the supreme
Please do a blind comparison with the Supreme.
I have a slight preference for the sound of supreme which sounds a bit more 'full'. That said, the difference is not enormous.
I'll keep my SBA !!
So... Do you like these more than your Yanis?
Now THAT’S a great question!!! LOL! 😂
Hey jay! I work at my local music store and we recently got a selmer supreme alto in but for some reason it came in fresh from the factory but it with a whole bunch of leaks making the horn unplayable especially on the low end of the horn. Ive never seen a horn come fresh from the factory in as bad of a shape as this horn was. Do you know why or how a saxophone of this quality could come in such a condition??
Maybe Ace Ventura delivered it?
I am a professional player from Germany and I talked to two individual sax technician about the new supreme models. Both told me that in many cases the horns (and not only the supremes) coming directly from the Selmer factory are in "bad shape" so to speak. No comparison to Yanagisawa. They told me about of razor sharp tonehole chimneys, that need flattening or bent maintubes. One of my students plays a reference 36 and imo it's definitely not worth the price. I play an old T991 which is a killer horn compared to the reference 36. But that's just my 5 cents. At the moment there's a lot of momentum going on and Selmer does a much better marketing than let's say Yanagisawa...BUT at the end of the day I'd say don't believe the hype😉
Having tested and inspected the Superb, I can’t tell or feel any differences between the Superb and my Conn Selmer Prelude TS711. I’m an amateur tenor player, but I’m a professor of marketing and know a lot about humans lack of telling differences.
Tough call. To my old ears, Signature tenor has a raw feel, great for R&B. If I had unlimited funds, I would buy both.
Do they have a layaway plan 😬☮️🎶🎵🎷
I think they sound the same, supreme maybe a little brighter. But the missing difference seems to lay a bit in Jay‘s sophisticated, very controlled playing. I‘d like to hear the horns in all situation, forced , in extremes, powering, very soft, subtones and so one. Then we will probably here a difference.
And you must playtest the altos, i expect lots of difference, always like the SA80 SII, but also with going for it giving it a blow😂
The Signature seems to be just slightly more direct. The Supreme seems just a touch more “spread” to my ears. Thanks, Jay.
The supreme definatly has a presence .
My Yamaha 62 02 tenor has a better sound than both of them played by Jay. My review. Please Jay your opinion about YTS 62 02. Cheers Jay.
The Supreme is slightly brighter and has more spread. The Signature is slightly darker and a bit more focused. More overtones in the Supreme I think.
It's crazy how hearing & perception can vary so much. I hear & feel (in this video) the Supreme as being darker, with a richer sound. I've noticed in the comments I've gotten through, it's about split on which one is darker, so, it's not just me.😊
By listening with headphones, to me the Signature sounds slightly warmer. So i would prefer the signature even so I don’t like the cubistic artwork.
But i can’t afford any of them.
Neither can 99% of us. It's just a racket.
Wooow!!! 9,000 USD, super expensive for me right now! maybe in the future!!!
hi
I kind of feel like the Supreme is an improved SBA and the signature is an improved Mark VI.
The Supreme tenor definitely has a much brighter and colorful tone while the Signature tenor has a very farm and round tone
Where is the Signature produced? France yes or no please?
Yes these are both produced in France as I mentioned in the video.
The signature sounds fatter lower in in pitch. Supreme sounds a little more higher in pitch Sharper more focus cutting sound.
As an alto player, please compare the altos not just the tenors
This comparison is unfair. Jay, you are top professional saxophonist and if you would play on the wooden tube, it would also sound like Selmer!
They really doing me wrong right now. They have the new tenor and alto but no bari :(
The Supreme has a slightly darker, fuller, huskier sound than the Signature but in all honesty, a person not having spent years playing and listening to music is not going to hear the difference, I wrote this before knowing the price difference between the two but, and suspect it is the lacquer making the difference, I would pay it just knowing I had the best sound I personally could provide my ears and too my audience.
Unfortunately, the time of good saxophones is over, unfortunately that's how it is with many things these days. I still enjoy watching your videos good luck.
the supreme sound much better..... for my liking. It has more focus is a little bit brighter ! and warmer !
The signature sound a little bit stiff, less resonant.
id still prefer an old mk6 soundwise than any modern selmer
the supreme.