Baritone Saxophone Comparison: 1959 Low A Selmer Mark VI vs Low Bb 1952 Selmer SBA vs 1932 Conn 12M

[@mariomalette4155]

Great collection,,wowww..thanks for sharing..

[@music_man_145]

the sba sounds like a big tenor i liked the sound. because it sounded like a regular sax just really deep and warm. sort of crackly umph that you get for a vintage bari. often Baris sound heavy this was a really unusaly beautiful sound

[@GlenBoyle-w7v]

Love the sound of your conn baritone saxophone so warm and a lovely tone

[@matthew_pauls]

Bro this conn had my jaw dropped, what an instresting smoky sound

[@mauricemusician7636]

I have a purple label YBS-62, but I've been on the lookout for a Bb SBA!

[@fluidartists2280]

What was the intro song ?

[@bluelandrus]

That's a track called "Isfahan" from my new album which will be released on Palmetto Records in July 2024. Its all woodwind orchestra arrangements of Ellington & Strayhorn music.

[@bluscorpion]

What a difference between them. The Low A sounds very deep while the Bb sounds much brighter. The Conn sounds like it's between the two, but somewhat muffled compared to the clarity of the Selmers. I would def go for a Bb or a Conn, but a Low A would definitely be perfect for an ensemble because it carries the bottom very well.

[@bluelandrus]

I agree. I’m amazed at how much “lower” the low A sounds. It’s a strange phenomenon that several of my friends have heard when I’ve done this live to demonstrate the difference. It’s like the entire horn (the low A) has a lower and deeper sound. Whereas the low Bb is brighter and higher sounding. The low A feels muffled to me in comparison to the Bb.

[@MrKneeV]

Yeah. It's like playing the same pitch on two guitar strings that are of slightly different thicknesses. The low A will always sound a bit darker and richer, all things being equal.

[@maikeli7]

I very much agree about the preference for the Low B Flat. I have a P. Mauriat unlacquered Low A bari and its sister in Low B Flat. On the Low A, getting down around low C Sharp and lower, the is a tendency to overtone too easily. Plus, air becomes a bigger concern. On the Low B Flat horn, all the low-register notes are easy to play and resonate for me really well. A lot of great resonant feedback on the Low B Flat horn. I'm not sure if the difference is very noticeable to the listener, but playing these, I can definitely hear and feel the difference. Also, and quite importantly, the Low B Flat horn is lighter, which is always a good thing. Thank you for comparing these fantastic horns!

[@anthony-ud4to]

I like having an extra note, but I can see how the Bb would sound/feel better.

[@mambojazz1]

well yea the SBA is both more open than the low A and more focused than the Conn agreed. I would love to have heard a low Bb Mark VI.

[@LucasCoelho1]

You sound great on all 3 of them! I own a 12M and haven't had the opportunity to play on any other bari sax. I wonder how the keywork compares to a selmer

[@bluelandrus]

The keywork feels much easier to me on the Selmer vs the Conn, although when I used to play the Conn only I got used to it. They're very different animals :)

[@seandennis3148]

All delightful saxophones! Yes, your morphology really suits your SBA. I don't know about all low A baritones, but I bought an after-market Yamaha neck for my YBS 62. A BV1UL neck. That's the unlacquered one, with the widest bore taper and the sound really opened up. Maybe low As need a wider bore taper neck, by comparison? I've only got the one bari, alas. Certainly a lack of sample size. I'm really very curious about your comment at 02:29 when you said that "all of them have metal resonators." What's the difference please? Whether that's here in the comments, or a separate video, all good.

[@bluelandrus]

I've been playing them exclusively for 15 years so its hard not to feel better on the sba. My buddy Gary Smulyan just switched to a sba after his whole career on a Conn.

[@seandennis3148]

@@bluelandrus I enjoyed all of this series of videos. Gary is playing that SBA with a new Yanagisawa mouthpiece. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5iZfYyjeNSHhrs

[@timdufka1548]

SBA all the way! There are a few notes you played on the 12M which really show why people love these, however the sound of the upper part of the horn seems stuffy and closed, and doesn't ring like the SBA, plus that Conn key work seems like more work than either Selmer. In terms of a balance between clarity and power, resonance and articulate sound through all registers, the SBA is the clear winner. Sylvia for the win.

[@bluelandrus]

Feels like home :)

[@adriandelgado8709]

I’ve only played one Selmer MKVI in my life and funny enough it was a baritone Low A… and that saxophone felt absolutely amazing… very responsive compared to my actual horn (Yamaha YBS 62) quite a big difference I might add

[@lowtone9]

Hey Brian, is Fred still making Rosies?

[@bluelandrus]

Yes he is, I'm waiting for a large order right now.

[@brianhiggins5899]

Can tell how much you love Sylvia!

[@lj3musicjulien855]

The 12 M has a moore darker mellow sound. I think the SBA & the Mk 6 sounds great as well. It al comes down to a player's preference .

[@eramirneto]

I loved the Conn, I hear a darker sound on it... but in a good way! Maybe thats way I liked it, I play on a King Zephyr 67.

[@bluelandrus]

Yeah that Conn has an incredible sound. Its huge and warm.

[@BKrystall]

Pepper Adams was always a low Bb guy. He hated the low a. Also the Low Bb horns are lighter. The SBA sounds the best IMO.

[@bluelandrus]

Gary Smulyan just switched to a low Bb SBA a few weeks back. He'd never played one but once he did he put down his Conn, for now :)

[@steenhansen2262]

The low Bb SBA sounds best to me, but I am not sure that the Conn wouldn't eclipse it with another mouthpiece.

[@YoungWilliamO]

It’s the Conn…sounded great

[@carification]

sba sounded most clear. the low notes of sba/Conn, responded better in low range.