Forum of the Saxes

JPSaxMan · Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:42 pm Post subject: Any bad experiences with Selmer?

I have run across a few people on various sites that HATE Selmer...most of those experiences relate over-priced, not so great quality instruments. I just got a Selmer USA LaVoix and considering it is USA...then again I might have to wait a while before I form a real opinion!

Have any of you had bad experiences with Selmer? If so, what are they? Keep in mind, your experiences should be well rounded and as precise as possible. Don't look like a baffoon! Cool

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Bleeding Gums Murphy · Guest

In general, I really don't like selmers. Their pro models are so incredibly overpriced it's insane. Even on sites like eBay, you often see mk vi tenors go as high as 8000 dollars. Even the average vintage selmer altos going for 4500+. The new ones just aren't that good at all (and are overpriced). The II's lack character, and in general are just dull horns to play, and the III's are similar to that, with a little more zing. The Ref 54's, however, are pretty good but cost $4500. How can you, with a clear conscience, charge someone $4500 for an ALTO saxophone that isn't nearly as good as your old models. I don't like Selmer USA either, not because of their horns, but because of their business practices (I believe they were outlined several times at saxquest).
-Bleeding Gums Murphy

Thomas · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 223 Location: Alberta, Canada

That is in your opinion, of course. It would be an insufficient investment for you, since you are primarily a jazz player, but for me, it works really well. Yes, they are expensive, but I don't think they are too overpriced. Selmer puts enormous amounts of craftsmanship and care into each one of their saxophones, more than many other saxophone manufacturers.
_________________
Thomas Hay
Sax player, music student, composer, Finale user, and part-time slacker/procrastinator.

Lisa Simpson · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Orange, Ca

JPSaxMan · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:31 am Post subject:

Lisa Simpson · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Orange, Ca

never said it was bad

JazZz · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 170

My paris series III is super awesome, except that the gold plating is a little thin, that's my only complaint.

One of my friends had a series II tenor, and the case kept on coming apart for it and the staples in the case kept on scratching the horn while in transit, he returned the first one to selmer and they sent him a second one but the same thing happened again. He loved the way it sounded so he got all the laquer removed or got something fancy done to make a bad story into a good one.

My other complaint is that if you buy a custom finish from selmer, they throw in a really nice case. My series III came in their standard black case that has the selmer paris logo in the corner with a black leather cover case to hold books. If you buy a fancy black laquer finish for example, they throw in this case that doubles as a backpack, is built in with the book compartment on top. it all so has this foam you put your sax into that provides this really nice secure fit. When you close it, it has the coolest outside with the selmer paris logo (the logo's awesome) and a zipper and velcro latch. To make the paris line special, they should put them all in the special case. I love the reference flight cases, if they weren't like $275, i'd go get one.

JPSaxMan · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:45 pm Post subject:

I have the Selmer Trek-Lite case which is similar to the case your talking of except your's is a Paris case not USA like mine...still cool, still all the things you mentioned except mine just says "Selmer" on the one pocket.

That sucks about your friend's Serie II...I'd be p o'd Evil or Very Mad

.

Lisa, from your original post you made it sound bad that all the Serie III's sound the same. How can you take that as a good post? Confused

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

altosax4ever · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 8:14 pm Post subject: well...

Even though I LOVE selmer, and don't agree with Lisa, she did NOT say it was a bad thing that they sounded the same. However, the entire opst had a negative connotation. Oh well, alls well that ends well, right? Mr. Green

_________________
Music IS Life

(and the saxophone is breathing)

JPSaxMan · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 9:06 pm Post subject:

Actually as4vr, Lisa is actually a guy (who's real name is West), who just took the name Lisa Simpson because of the character and how she plays sax Mr. Green

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Altosaxophonerules · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 130 Location: Canada

I like Selmer, I've tried there horns and I like them. Í would have gotten a Selmer, but the price is a little expensive for me. (but there worth it, just gotta save more)

altosax4ever · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject: ???

How do you play like lisa simpson? ??? Shocked

_________________
Music IS Life

(and the saxophone is breathing)

JPSaxMan · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:

Like according to the TV show, by making it your life (and hopefully not having your sax thrown out a window by your dad then having it run over by a semi) Laughing

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania