The Best Vintage Saxophones Ever Made

[@ChadLefkowitzBrown]

Which horn is your favorite?? In order of saxophones played: 1. 1932 Conn 10M Prototype 2. 1924 Conn New Wonder (Burnished Gold) Tenor 3. 1954 King Super 20 Tenor 4. 1933 Selmer Adolphe Sax 5. 1937 Selmer Balanced Action Tenor 6. 1945 Buescher 400 “Top Hat And Cane” Tenor 7. 1959 Selmer Mark VI Tenor 8. 2023 Nexus Select Tenor For any of the vintage saxophones in this video, use code “VINTAGE100” for $100 OFF at www.bostonsaxshop.com For the Nexus Select Tenor, or any other Nexus Saxophones, use code “CLB300” for $300 OFF at www.nexussaxophones.com

[@harrybryant843]

Don't know if it's because you're the most comfortable on your own horn, but the Nexus I think sounded the best!

[@IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou]

I once played Louis Armstrong's toilet, what a shit valve!

[@saxo_nova]

I liked the 1954 King Super 20 best because it had a nice solid core sound that was different from all the others! Always going for that sound on my '72 MKVI!

[@rogersalles200]

I play Mark VIs and Ishimori currently but I loved the sound of the Nexus.

[@thomassaxo]

King Super 20, 10M ( My sax) and then Nexus.

[@jazzboy]

Great vid! One horn you might also enjoy is a Conn 30M.

[@maximolopez5564]

you can really hear how well the nexus replicates all of the vintage sound and inputs it through a more modern styled horn. Absolutely mind-boggling.

[@p1nesap]

You were flying on that King. Great tone.

[@IL-saxophonist]

1932 Conn 10m: 1:42 1924 Conn New Wonder: 2:22 1954 King Super 20: 3:36 1933 Selmer Adolphe Sax: 4:25 1937 Selmer Balanced Action Tenor: 5:40 1945 Buescher 400: 6:53 1959 Selmer Mark VI Tenor: 8:07 Nexus Select Tenor: 8:33

[@triumphrider9396]

I’ve always been a Buescher guy. That 400 sounded amazing. I have a 400 tenor and an Aristocrat Alto from the Art Deco era (1938).

[@disgruntled_llama]

I played a 400 Top Hat and Cane alto when I was younger. I should dig that thing back out and get it running again. Cool horn.

[@jesperhansen9399]

That Nexus sounds great! Mabye the best of them.

[@martin_brown]

I really liked the selmer Adolphe sax, it has a wide and warm sound

[@miropopradi]

You sounds absolutely best on Adolphe Sax tenor 👍 Tak it immediately !!! 😉

[@paulolevisilveirateixeira2903]

Excellent 🎉 Thanks for the Video😅

[@robstevens9590]

It must be fun to play so many vintage horns one after the other! I had a Mark VI alto in the late 60's early 70's -- great horn.

[@larry4589]

Buescher 400 sounded great

[@shawjazzy]

That's the horn I have

[@alejnikov]

I am missing the Martin Committee III (1950s) and the Martin Handcraft Imperial (mid-1930s), excellent horns with an amazing sound - and btw the ones I play myself... But as long as guys like you don't mention them, they keep comparatively affordable ;)

[@max-andrewmcmillan4235]

I could hear subtle differences in brightness and tones with all the horns. I really like your playing by the by. I feel very fortunet to own a 1029 Selmer Paris Autograph, which plays like a dream.

[@1dotele]

The Conn's sound so good

[@antotrip9236]

All sounds great!😊

[@seanleroy77]

My faves - King, Buescher, Selmer BA and Nexus. Really brought out texture in your tone, which Ive always loved, and the brightness too. Surprising on the King! My question is always, which horn wil help me play like Albert Ayler! Thats my goal!

[@dborgo]

my 2 cents, the Bueschet TH&C, which I own (ion addition to a VI), opens up the easiest into Ayler territory, but a King would get you there too.

[@tedfifield4279]

When I was 16 years old I bought a 400 in the Alto brand new and still have it along with a mark 6,conn and a Yanagisawa and the Buescher top hat can hold it’s own 🤔😱 I loved the test I have a lot of Saxes of all brands and I love to play each of them

[@saxoTuấnĐặng]

Thật tuyệt khi được sở hữu niềm đam mê saxophone , tôi thì ko , bạn có thì bán rẻ cho tôi 1 saxophone cũ mà bạn ko sài đến ko

[@lelandstronks319]

I have a Buescher 1914 tenor saxophone. Newly repaired and ready to play. I’d like to take lessons someday.🎼🎷

[@joseluishernandezgarcia16]

I own two Buescher 400 top hat & cane. One tenor and another alto. Ford me are two fantastic saxophones.

[@joseluishernandezgarcia16]

*for

[@jamesfalcon7655]

Love the demos!!!!

[@josephlye4994]

LOVELY MAESTRO,TQ

[@drazendrenski2904]

Very useful video! Thanx

[@HansBaier]

That Buescher sounded HUGE. And the Nexus next to it

[@davidolahmusic]

Cool video 😎👌

[@ChrisWoodsViolin]

Great playing! I really liked #2

[@martindavis3239]

Chad I happen to own a Selmer Alto 1934 Radio improved which I bought 1953 as a 16 y.o. Stopped learning after 9 months and restarted at 84 y..o . 2 years ago. Spent $1500 AUD having it fully repaired 12 months ago . P

[@benhostetler268]

King Super 20 had the best sound but the MK VI was a close second.

[@StoneysWorkshop]

I have a vintage Buescher and it has an amazing tone. I play tested against a The Martin

[@lapressedelalex2836]

I have a 1932 Conn, it seems to be called a Transitional, between Chu Berry and Lady Face. I love it !

[@migmarfin]

Yes, transitional or "tranny" is the established term that us Connmen use. Such horns were made in the thousands during a span of several years, so calling them prototypes does not really sound right.

[@joeblankenship377]

Buescher and the King. But I've played alto or bari for most of my sax life, so comparing tenors is not my strongest suit. A vintage Conn or Buescher bari sax is what's on my vintage wishlist.

[@triumphrider9396]

Don’t over look vintage Martin bari’s. They’re said to be one of the best.

[@XavierJordanMusic]

That king geeeeeeez. But I can definitely tell how comfortable you are on yours. Those do sound great too

[@rufus-h4h]

When you are speaking of Charlie Parker, you show a photo of him playing a Conn 6M. Parker played many different horns including the King, the Conn and even the Grafton plastic sax.

[@alexeymorozov816]

I feel like the Nexus saxophone is some sort of Mark6 + the BSS Neck: the projection, high notes, "in your face" sound, warm low notes. But this is imho. Chad, great review and playing!

[@andrewwleklinski2998]

My 13th alto & final oneis a King 1939 Zephr Special with 1947 King sterlihg silver neck with under slung octave key! The 1st "transaxual" horn I know ot! My tenor (I've monogamist with since I got it in 1968) is a Buescher 400 TH&C, I THINK FROM 1946! I love them both! BTW I love your videos! Keep it up, Chad!

[@emittjordan2889]

All beautiful. But the Mark Vi & King take the cake

[@darine.3145]

It's really useful to hear this comparison. The only issue to me is the ribbon mic, which sounds dull and takes the life out of what I'm sure is an excellent sound. I would rather hear it on a good condenser mic like the Neumann TLM-102 or other accurate large diaphragm condenser that still has some top end. Or, you could EQ the ribbon against a calibration mic (typically a small omni) for flat response.

[@tonytooth1573]

with this particular microphone and recording conditions I vote for Buescher 400. soft hi-mid, great low-mid, nice sparkling top. overall tone is big, rich but flat enough and pleasant to my ear. and some kind of I don't know...non-linearity in tone that brings life

[@kevincosta9228]

Geez, this long time Martin fan is still wondering why they're so overlooked

[@xyzlmnop5206]

Because there was neither one in the shop for them to sell. And why would you expect it to be, Martin's are out the sooner then any of the others😉😉

[@Harako15]

Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe Johnny Hodges played a top hat and cane alto sax

[@YoungWilliamO]

The Buescher 400 . . . Show stopper

[@nickpilgrim1966]

Loved your playing on these clips Chad. Cant help feeling the older horns balance your 'modern/edgy' sound and get that beautiful fat tone. Curious that the Mk VI is considered lightweight... my The Martin is much lighter than my VI. It has a sweet sound with the right reed but maybe not as rich as the VI.

[@jrgreiner]

Your "The Martin" is lighter than a VI? I'll beg to differ on that. The Martin is quite a bit heavier for the sole reason of the soldered tone holes. Seriously. Weigh them. I think you'll be surprised.

[@saxoferm]

Curious how the JL Pino Horn would feel for you with the conn inspired neck.

[@jambajoby32]

Same!

[@cedamoon4049]

The King S20, Conns, SBA, etc... all sound like Chad LB!! The Nexus has the most sizzle, to be sure.

[@Radjammin]

Sounded best to me on the super 20.

[@oreodog]

1:42 10M, 2:24 New Wonder, 3:36 Super 20, 4:27 Adolph Sax, 5:42 Balanced Action, 6:54 Top Hat, 8:07 Mark VI, 8:35 Nexus Select

[@Regicited]

I thought I loved the punch from the Buescher 400 and SBA, but the Mark VI had that velvety tone, but the Nexus like meshed it all together

[@Q.Lawrence]

Damn, now I want to try a King Super 20 😂.

[@Bobba7438]

Hey Chad: Any way you could get your hands on a Jupiter JTS1100SGQ Tenor sax. I would be interested to hear what a pro player would have to say about it. There are no tests or demos of it that I can find anywhere.

[@JasonFabus]

that King S20 tone is hard to beat. Just a little hard to "drive" with the keywork... like a classic american car...

[@MartyPaoletta]

I am curious did you up the volume of the Nexus sax a db or two in your final mix? In a previous video, you presented a Selmer MK VI vs Nexus comparison to where the sound on the Nexus seemed more subdued, just not the same projection as your Mark VI. However the Nexus in THIS video sounds great. Incredible projection. Ergo my first question. That being said, I used your previous video as the main benchmark to help me make up my mind on a purchase - the Nexus or the Selmer. I was only three months ago I went with a '67 142xxx Mk VI tenor. Love it. It pairs nice with my Mark six alto. But one thing I didn't realize is that I would have a bit of trepidation taking the Mark vi. tenor out on the road, especially fly dates. So I still will need to get a road sax. Yeah, I think I would have gotten a VI no matter what. But, if this video had been out there for a comparison, the order of purchases would be reversed! Got a pay this one off first…

[@AlexVolkhin13]

I listened to 1,2,3... and when I got to the Buescher 400, I stopped. It seems to be my choice.

[@CharlieHoliday369]

King super20 all day!

[@brianmatthews232]

Nexus 1 and mk6 my fav

[@brianmatthews232]

Mk6 and nexus steal the show!!!

[@Chess4Net]

The sound of a saxophone mostly depends on the mouthpiece that Chad was using. And I think he was using a MP he was comfortable the most. Chad could you tell us more?

[@AFN2750]

Long live the new wonder 2.

[@steverodrigue6038]

King super 20 pure beast

[@cxcccccc-f6y]

The King sounded incredible

[@glaucotancri1047]

99% depends on you....Nexus, Conn, Selmer always play similar sound because you. And you have a modern sound with sax vitage too. Normally the Conns have a dark round sound, but with you they sound crisp and clear

[@perrybruni8256]

Mark VI is the best

[@saxcowboy]

Liked the king super 20 followed by the buescher.

[@arbeiter11]

what about some melodies / long tones?

[@jfredmuggs56]

1.Keilwerth New King 2. Super 20 3. Buescher 400 4. Selmer Mark VI Yes, the Keilwerth New King sounds that good!

[@thomassaxo]

Thanks so much for this! Very often people use mics that responds veery differently when you stand one inch further away from it. This ribbon mic dont. Amazing ! All the best from Trengereid Norway.

[@bernardoschroeder5222]

I have a King Tenorsax Super 20. Wonderfull.

[@pauljordan6295]

The Wonder and Adolphe sax are better in the dark and "old sound" category...In general in this video King S20 kills hands down all saxes..

[@rufus-h4h]

The 10M has both bell keys on the left side and the New Wonder (and the Wonder) has split bell keys.

[@furtherdefinitions1]

The Conn is a transitional model, between the New Wonder and its full transition to the 10M

[@patricelaplante6300]

Do they make Nexus Baritone sax?

[@Stier-sr6wt]

Hi, from Germany. i like the King Super 20, but not the Nexus.

[@WHALEx3]

To me, the Conns sounded muffled and not fun to play, but everything else had a lot more brightness (the selmer adolphe was hard to tell because the tone was so different when you played softly). The Buescher and King were my favorite! Great playing as always!

[@saxoTuấnĐặng]

Rất thích và yêu mến nó là niềm mơ ước của tôi

[@chriswright2553]

The six still does it for me but maybe I’m biased because I own two. The Nexus sounds amazing though, perhaps a little more aggressive than the six. Having said that, I’ve played on some awful sixes, and they are well known for the lack of consistency between horns

[@davidcasuccio6976]

I have a conn10m 400 sound s the best

[@hannes4971]

The MarkVI has the most focussed tone with the best separation of notes. Not fat/spread. I favour its sound.

[@tkannen]

Kink Super 20 has my vote. But the zippers on your jacket made me nervous.

[@tonymccormick1]

Buescher sounded great then the nexus

[@chuckwhite368]

No H Couf Keilwerth?

[@rielzuad7028]

In testing like this please play as few notes as posible from low mid and high notes. It's when listening to you its like you gave us food but made us chew so fast not giving us time to fully savour the taste of each samples

[@phreffable]

Nexus sounds weedy next to the vintage horns.

[@renatogomes7640]

I feel the same. Inclusive, i just hear.

[@timothymorgereth1438]

I'm surprised you didn't add a Chu Berry or a Martin...

[@Resetasylum]

I cant get away from thinking the quality of metal was better years ago.

[@johan0234523]

Wait wait ... no Martin Committee III in the comparison??

[@blades_mikka6150]

Would love to have had included The Martin Magna, The Martin Tenor (committee I or II) and or a Martin Handcraft from the later 20's. Thanks for the post. It nailed why I love the vintage saxes.

[@jrbeckman2194]

He likely didn't include a Martin because the pros historically didn't play them -- at least not on tenor.

[@brekedekdang39]

The Nexus probably sounds the best, which makes me wonder if he wanted it to sound the best since it's his sax? 🤔 Or, maybe he just sounded better cuz it's his own...

[@billstotts2346]

The conn’ and the King stood out to me. As I prefer sweet and clean tones the Nexus didn’t interest me at all. Great video.

[@AFN2750]

That’s a transitional, not a prototype. There were a few years where they used features from both, and were just slowly changing things from the NWII to the 10M

[@renatogomes7640]

Just listening: 1° 54 King was the best!! 2° MKVI ...

[@bill3837]

That Nexus sounded really good. It was odd you didn't play any altissimo notes that I recall on any other village horns

[@juanrondonmusic]

1954 King Super 20 for me please.

[@PetrovychValeriy]

!Nexus ❤! Треба продавати свого Mark 6 ,чи може хтось поміняється зі мною?😂

[@veeps1817]

Nexus was brighter sounding and edgier, maybe. The lack of dynamic playing made them all sound pretty much the same. Need to play soft, subtone, ballad, fast and sort, fast and loud ect ect . Playing on top of the beat loud stuff makes them all sound the same.

[@mambojazz1]

Im shocked that actually the Mark VI had the least character of every sax he played😮!! I hope it would just the neck lol

[@allenponton5696]

Hard to beat a Super 20 .

[@saxrem]

The MVI (still) has the best sound!, NEXUS has more power.

[@breckerman9053]

If Chad blew into an eggplant, he could make it sound like an SBA.

[@Osnosis]

Turns out Chad B Chad LB, no matter the horn.

[@tubapads]

No love for Martin 😢

[@jambajoby32]

I thought there was no super balanced action? Balanced action then super action

[@markbloom9617]

BA, then SBA, the Mark VI...super action much later.

[@jambajoby32]

@@markbloom9617 can you clarify what SBA stands for then? My understanding is that it was the selmer balanced action no such thing as a “super balanced”

[@jrgreiner]

@@jambajoby32 Early BA's are much different than SBA or SA's. Keywork changed slightly. If you've seen or played the two side by side, you'd definitely notice the difference both visually and sound-wise.....mostly visually. The length of the bell (specifically, the bow) also changed throughout production. The early BA's were known for playing quite sharp towards the bottom of the horn which is why you'll often see tech's put cork "spheres" in the low B tone hole, to lower the pitch and hence, Selmer lengthening the bow.

[@jrgreiner]

@@markbloom9617 The "Super Action 80" was indeed much later and a completely different horn that's not to be confused with the SBA or SA (whatever you prefer calling it).

[@jambajoby32]

@@jrgreiner right but it was “selmer balanced action” and then later “super action” but never a super balanced action. Is that ^^ info correct?

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

Selmer .