Selmer Paris Signature Alto Saxophone Review

[@heaneymusic]

Did you know I teach at Oklahoma City University's Wanda L. Bass School of Music? Learn more about the OCU Saxophone Studio: - IG: instagram.com/ocusax/ - FB: facebook.com/ocusax - More: www.okcu.edu/music/admissions/auditions

[@BlackWarriorLures]

I played a Series II for years, all through college. I switched to the Series III in graduate school, but didn't like it as much as the Series II, although the III played easier. I played Yanagisawa for a while. While much easier to play, the sound concept is more of a King Super 20 as opposed to the classic Selmer. I'm happy to see Selmer get back on it!

[@EvaAmador-jz9hp]

Thanks a lot for the review. How’s about the “ultimate comparison”? Supreme vs. Signature? 😊 I’d love to know your opinion

[@hmoore76]

GREAT Video - Thank you!

[@hmoore76]

Thanks! Do you consider the Signature better than Yanagisawa Elite Altos?

[@heaneymusic]

@@hmoore76 I personally prefer Selmer for their sound and ergonomics, but both are great - it comes down to personal preference.

[@SaxSith]

I’ve heard some people prefer the Signature for jazz and Supreme for classical.

[@heaneymusic]

@@SaxSith I don’t find this to be true. Both horns are equally suited to either genre, but different colors. Cutting edge vs. traditional. Apples vs. oranges.

[@hmoore76]

@@heaneymusic Thanks! Which one is cutting edge?

[@heaneymusic]

@@hmoore76 the Supreme is the more modern design. The Signature’s roots go back to the early 1980s in the Series II, whereas the Supreme is a new direction.

[@Andrew-ql9hg]

Hey Joshua! Thanks for the great video review as always. Question: does the signature neck fit on a series II body?

[@heaneymusic]

I tried this, no dice out of the box. You’d have to get the tenon expanded. Having said that, I’m not sure of any plans for Selmer Paris to sell these necks separately like the Supreme. Time will tell.

[@JosephSalinas-r4r]

Time will Tell; Tower of Power 😊​@heaneymusic

[@shaneairsoftdude]

@@heaneymusicso wait… I had read that the supreme neck tenon size did not change (at least for altos) and a supreme neck will fit on a series ii. Is that false info or is the signature neck a different size than the supreme?

[@j.r.1210]

Excellent review -- expertly clarifies the position of the Signature in Selmer's current lineup. Have you switched from the S90 to the Delangle as your standard mouthpiece? Oh, and congrats on finishing your PhD.

[@heaneymusic]

Thank you! I use both interchangeably. I find the Delangle is helpful for concertos, playing with electroacoustic music, and for imitating a more string-like timbre. The S90 is my general purpose piece, especially for chamber and teaching.

[@mcdcurtis]

Maybe I'm crazy but I was loving the sound of the signature in all the tests, but once the repertoire excepts began I greatly preferred the signature ii

[@mcdcurtis]

Also probably biased as a series ii user of 8 years aha

[@StephenKing-wb2ve]

Great video. What I don't understand is, Axos is basically identical to Series 2. And this Signature is a slightly upgraded version of Series 2. Is it worthy twice of the price of Axos?

[@heaneymusic]

The Axos alto indeed is acoustically similar to the Series II in the body, but it has a neck more similar to a Series III. I argue it has its own unique tonal identity compared both to a Series II and Signature, with special emphasis given to being easy to play. The Signature sounds a little darker, richer, and has slightly more resistance by comparison. Also, the Signature and Supreme represent the requisite price point to buy a saxophone 100% manufactured, assembled, and finished in France. You are paying for French labor. In the case of the Axos, while its acoustic components are manufactured in France, the keywork, assembly, and padding are executed by manufacturing partners in Asia. Then it is inspected for quality in France. For what it’s worth, I think the Axos is an incredible value and makes compromises in the right areas. I play the equivalent “Presence” clarinet model. However, Selmer erred by creating the Seles brand for these horns on their initial release and only recently course corrected by branding them all Selmer Paris. Consumers felt they were getting a lesser knock-off when maybe they shouldn’t. I’m hoping that Selmer can sell even more Axos horns, they’re pretty great. Especially after their recent cosmetic upgrades.

[@tweakerjoe]

Can you also do some mouthpiece reviews on tenor also. I love your review style and it would we very helpful because there is not a lot of classical tenor content on youtube.

[@heaneymusic]

I would, if I owned a tenor! If that happens in the future, mouthpiece reviews definitely will follow.

[@realmugas]

Is the signature a professional horn?

[@heaneymusic]

Absolutely yes!

[@thenotoriusbp]

wow this video is so cool. you can really tell how goofy ahh the series ii intonation was

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Compared to Signature, Series II appears like an evil elder brother, ready to intimidate player at any turn. It was quite audible. It's fascinating how many small improvements across the board created a much perfected instrument, a league ahead of Series II.