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.

[@michaelcorner3861]

The richness of the Conn New Wonder is amazing to my ears.

[@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.

[@larry4589]

Buescher 400 sounded great

[@shawjazzy]

That's the horn I have

[@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.

[@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

[@benhostetler268]

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

[@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.

[@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😉😉

[@saxcowboy]

Liked the king super 20 followed by the buescher.

[@martin_brown]

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

[@AFN2750]

Long live the new wonder 2.

[@jfredmuggs56]

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

[@p1nesap]

You were flying on that King. Great tone.

[@YoungWilliamO]

The Buescher 400 . . . Show stopper

[@AlexVolkhin13]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@lelandstronks319]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@user-qs8zx2mm5y]

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

[@Q.Lawrence]

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

[@paulolevisilveirateixeira2903]

Excellent 🎉 Thanks for the Video😅

[@JasonFabus]

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

[@user-xc6wd3hb4s]

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.

[@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.

[@cedamoon4049]

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

[@XavierJordanMusic]

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

[@jesperhansen9399]

That Nexus sounds great! Mabye the best of them.

[@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..

[@Radjammin]

Sounded best to me on the super 20.

[@CharlieHoliday369]

King super20 all day!

[@antotrip9236]

All sounds great!😊

[@ChrisWoodsViolin]

Great playing! I really liked #2

[@drazendrenski2904]

Very useful video! Thanx

[@joseluishernandezgarcia16]

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

[@joseluishernandezgarcia16]

*for

[@StoneysWorkshop]

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

[@Harako15]

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

[@steverodrigue6038]

King super 20 pure beast

[@josephlye4994]

LOVELY MAESTRO,TQ

[@1dotele]

The Conn's sound so good

[@davidolahmusic]

Cool video 😎👌

[@phreffable]

Nexus sounds weedy next to the vintage horns.

[@tonymccormick1]

Buescher sounded great then the nexus

[@jamesfalcon7655]

Love the demos!!!!

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@furtherdefinitions1]

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

[@perrybruni8256]

Mark VI is the best

[@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 ;)

[@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?

[@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!

[@brianmatthews232]

Nexus 1 and mk6 my fav

[@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

[@TheBushr400]

Chad, if something dreadful happened to your horn before a gig, and these vintage horns were the only choices available, which would you choose?

[@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

[@user-qs8zx2mm5y]

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

[@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

[@user-xc6wd3hb4s]

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

[@tkannen]

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

[@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…

[@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!

[@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

[@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...

[@arbeiter11]

what about some melodies / long tones?

[@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

[@juanrondonmusic]

1954 King Super 20 for me please.

[@saxoferm]

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

[@jambajoby32]

Same!

[@renatogomes7640]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@renatogomes7640]

I feel the same. Inclusive, i just hear.

[@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.

[@davidcasuccio6976]

I have a conn10m 400 sound s the best

[@johan0234523]

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

[@chuckwhite368]

No H Couf Keilwerth?

[@tuxsax]

I loved the SBA and the Buescher most, very nice, full and rich sound. MKVI was simply MKVI, I always like the balanced velvety sound they have. The Nexus sounds great, too bright to my taste, but the price tag makes it totally unaffordable for me. If you would one day consider making a model applying the same design principles but nerf it down to a student/intermediate level and price it accordingly, perhaps I could think of owning one

[@hannes4971]

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

[@allenponton5696]

Hard to beat a Super 20 .

[@saxrem]

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

[@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.

[@IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou]

You blew that triangle like you owed it crack money!

[@timothymorgereth1438]

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

[@Osnosis]

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

[@patricelaplante6300]

Do they make Nexus Baritone sax?

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

Selmer .

[@KlausBru]

If I were not a sax player, I'd say they all sound the same. Just like the guy who plays them.

[@PetrovychValeriy]

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

[@tubapads]

No love for Martin 😢

[@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.

[@bill3837]

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

[@breckerman9053]

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

[@JeromeMaatz]

2

[@brenttrading2363]

Slow ballads would've been better to hear the different tones of each horn ..rather than high speed bebop lines..