Selmer Supreme Solid Silver and Gold Plated Alto Saxophone Neck Review

[@geraldc.7859]

An interesting comparison thanks Joshua .

[@heaneymusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@lukeserrano62]

I'm not convinced that using a Supreme neck on earlier model Selmers will enhance the character our other qualities of the instrument. I tried my Supreme's neck on my SA80 , and it just split the identity of the instrument in a strange way. Whereas the Series 2 neck I currently use on my SA80 makes for a great improvement and enhancement, the Supreme neck seems to want to smooth everything out so much that the sax loses its flexibility and character. Possibly with a newer horn such as the Series 3 it works better, but I kind of think that Selmer were reaching for a totally different sound concept with the Supreme model, the neck of which hasn't really been thought of as a general improvement on previous models- just different. Hence it's not really backwards compatible in the way one would expect/hope. The Supreme's qualities come from the whole thing, not just the neck.

[@ericdano]

Thumbs up for using the Strobetuner.

[@pinki6555]

I bought solid Silver III SERIES Neck to my reference 54. Now i have Selmer on steroids. I love solid Silver necks

[@heaneymusic]

Sounds like a fun setup!

[@TrueBlueYou]

Bravo- this is the best feedback I’ve seen on these necks to date- could you try these necks w/ Ref. 54?

[@micahmazzella]

Thank you for making this video! I currently play on a series ii and I’m honestly considering getting a supreme neck

[@heaneymusic]

Glad I could help, thanks for watching!

[@parkerbutton8860]

Micah moment

[@micahmazzella]

@@parkerbutton8860 absolutely

[@benjaminboudreaux1489]

Micah Moment Indeed

[@brianbradshaw2813]

There was a big change wit the necks. I would place the silver well above both of the others. I actualy think that the gold plated sound was less full.

[@jh9855]

Than you for this video. I own a Reference 54 alto and love this horn. The keys are very responsive. The tone is a bit bright for me. I purchased the Selmer Supreme Solid silver neck and the tone is a bit softer, and not so much in your face. I think everything comes to practice, practice, practice. There is nothing like air time in the horn.I think ligatures make up a lot of the timbre of the horn and the rest is the player.

[@Alexander_Granados]

Question for those using the jubilee SA80 ii - is the palm keys really sharp for those playing on a gold lacquer horn. The horn below the octave key c# is really in tune but however when I start playing in the palm keys it’s really sharp around 20-30 cents sharp. I can voice it but it’s I lose the clarity of the sound and it sounds like an undertone. I’ve contacted selmer in hopes of having the neck replaced but I’m still waiting to hear back.

[@heaneymusic]

This is most likely a key heights issue, not a neck issue.

[@Alexander_Granados]

Interesting, I’ll have it looked by a technician Thank you !

[@theepeo8871]

There are differences between pre-jubilee and jubilee necks for sure. Removing the key guide makes it much easier to bend the thin and vulnerable neck key, which is actually thinner in the jubilee neck than earlier models. Another difference between the series ii and iii necks is the removal of the branded, shield shaped “badge” from the front of the neck. This is also removed on the supreme neck. That said, the supreme neck is identical to the jubilee series iii neck. The only difference (truly) is a manual expansion of the tube directly underneath the neck cork, leaving a cylindrical bore behind where it used to be conical. You can see the swirling “machine” marks when looking closely inside supreme necks.

[@heaneymusic]

I think there are more internal differences to the Supreme neck vs. the SIII than you described. Such as, octave pip placement and neck angle being different. The lower bores were of slightly different diameters and texture. All of these small changes add up to meaningful impact in my experience. You speak with confidence and I am curious where you got your information.

[@theepeo8871]

@@heaneymusic Unfortunately Selmer has never been very consistent with interior finish, so I hesitate to agree that this is intentional. But maybe! I am curious what measurements you got when inspecting the octave pip placement. What does the caliper read from mouthpiece end of neck to pip center? The neck key is the same length between jubilee iii and supreme, so I can't imagine much room for moving the pip too far. I absolutely agree that there are obvious differences between pre-jubilee and supreme like you were able to show in this video. However they are the same differences between pre-jubilee and jubilee series III.

[@rburganmusic]

Great video Josh! I also noticed a huge difference between my Series II neck and the Supreme neck. I thought you sounded fantastic, but most of all on the gold plate. I suspect it has to do with the mixture of 3 metals - the brass, silver plate, and gold plate. Just makes for a warmer sound that doesn’t sacrifice brilliance. Well done!

[@heaneymusic]

Thanks for the complement and for watching Reese!

[@SimanchukSax]

Interesting topic and very nice sound, but please - give the microphone a little bit more far:)

[@Selmerpilot]

Sterling neck has a bit more buzz while the gold neck has both the buzz, albeit not as much as sterling, but was also overall warmer. Gold was the winner to my ears

[@heaneymusic]

I also preferred the gold for the way it responded and felt to blow; a nice impression of “density,” for lack of a better description.

[@Selmerpilot]

@@heaneymusic Yeah there's something about gold plating these, I have found it's felt even more from behind the horn. I had a gold Mark VI neck, late 60s vintage (alto Mark VI neck has many variants) and it just worked the horn a bit more; bringing out more of what was already there. This was on an 88k. Sadly the long bow Mark VI of that era always had slightly flat right hand stack and bell keys which I just couldn't get over so I'm on an early medium bow 87k now. Marcel Mule was their quality guy for years which is likely why altos saw more changes.

[@alain-micheljourdat8129]

Sorry but nothing conclusive in your supreme necks from my standpoint i mean out of your demonstration. I may be be fussy in some way but the only benefit or improvement of silver plated would possibly be on the overall fluidity. Otherwise it is a trifling matter. And to crown it all they cost a bundle.