SELMER PARIS SAXOPHONES

Always committed to serving the needs of students, music educators, amateurs, and professionals, Selmer has grown steadily over the years, becoming the industry leader recognized for craftsmanship and quality. The story is both unique and fascinating. The Selmer family traces its roots back to the 18th century rural Lorraine region of France with Johannes Jacobus Zelmer. Enlisting in the French army provided a means of moving families from the country to the city. For three generations Selmer men served in the same regiment, while the boys, too young to be soldiers, played in the band. Jean-Jacques Zelmer (son of Johannes Jacobus), in addition to changing the spelling of the family name, ascended to the rank of drum major. The military afforded great opportunities for education and travel. When Charles-Frederic Selmer (son of Jean-Jacques) died in 1878 he left sixteen children, five surviving to adulthood. Of these, Henri and Alexandre graduated from the Paris conservatory as accomplished clarinettists. Henri went on to perform in the famed Garde Republicaine band and the Opera Comique. By the early 1900s Henri had opened shop at Place Dancourt in Paris to meet the demand for his handmade reeds and mouthpieces. Soon repair work and customizing led to the manufacturing of clarinets. From 1895 to 1910, Alexandre Selmer served as principal clarinettist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. At the turn of the century, a small retail store was opened in New York City for selling the family wares. Selmer clarinets prospered after winning a gold medal at the Saint Louis exposition of the 1904 World’s Fair. In 1918 Alexandre returned to Paris to assist Henri in their growing family business, leaving an employee, George Bundy, the rights to distribute Selmer products in the United States.

The Models:

Today Selmer Paris are manufacturing three different models. S80 (super 80) Series II, Series III and Reference. Each player’s experience of the models is unique and personal opinion is the only thing that should govern the purchase of a saxophone at this level. However, having spoken to many of the countries leading sax players over my time as UK distributor for Selmer Paris, the consensus of opinion seems to lead towards the following:

Series II- The oldest design still in production. With a broad sound and solid feel this is a good versatile instrument. Free blowing across the register and responsive it is capable of some rough stuff yet also carries quality for more refined playing. The most affordable of the range, it is also the best seller for Selmer. Available in all finish options you can customize to your exact specification, though most players go for lacquer finish with engraving. For an upgrading student or pro alike this is a good choice with great re-sale values and solid build. It will not disappoint and perform well in all situations and genres.

Series III – More precise than the series II, you find players raving about and swearing at these saxes in equal numbers. Undoubtedly a more challenging blow than the series II the sound is focused and refined. According to some players the intonation can be a challenge but if sound is paramount in your mind then the Series III must be considered. Favoured by Courtney Pine in a black finish with gold lacquer keys it obviously has a good pedigree for the jazz musician. However it is definitely THE saxophone for that rarer beast, the classical saxophone player. The focus and refinement of sound are ideally suited to this repertoire.

Reference 54 Alto and tenor sax- “Reference Charlie Parker, 1954 and the legendary Mark VI Alto” The Reference is the most recent introduction to the Selmer Paris range of saxophones, many feel that with this model, Selmer have produced a sax as great as the legendary mark VI. It makes a fantastic sound in the right hands and is flexible and versatile. When compared with the series III, the musician definitely has more room to bend notes and change the timbre of the sound and as such it is arguably well suited to the jazz musician. It can cut it classically, though some may find the sound a little BIG for this genre. With a deep gold lacquer it looks fantastic and the word is that this lacquer finish also adds depth to the sound. If that’s the case, why not offer it on the whole Selmer range? Good question and that’s Selmer all over. They are still a slightly eccentric company that often seem to do things for their own confusing reasons that are often not financially motivated. Refreshing in this commercial age and I think in the end a little bit of this eccentricity is required to make truly great instruments

Reference 36 Tenor saxophone-. With the same body and bell as the 54 the difference on the 36 is the key work. As the name would suggest, this is based on the super light “Balanced Action” Tenor originally from 1936. A great noise and lightning fast light key work, this saxophone is worth considering for sure. 

All Reference saxophones are also available in a Vintage finish for those who would like their new sax to look as if it has seen a few late nights!

If you want manufacturing and finishing perfection, buy a Japanese instrument. If you want a great sound, a unique and special instrument and are prepared to work a little harder to get it, buy a Selmer Paris saxophone.

The images below show the ranges and the finishes available. For prices or to buy a saxophone click HERE.

Selmer provide superb intonation, excellent sound resonance and high quality professional saxophones. Available in a variety of finishes ranging from matt to antique and many more.

MODELS AVAILABLE

Sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and Bass saxophones available.

SERIES 2

Soprano saxophones

These soprano saxophones are fantastic as they provide an amazing sound quality. They were designed with the professional in mind and also suitable for the music college student.  

Series 2 and 3

Selmer (Paris) Series II Soprano Sax in Clear Lacquer, engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series II Soprano Sax in Black Lacquer, engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series II Soprano Sax Silver Plated & Engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series III Soprano Sax Clear Lacquer, non-engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series III Soprano Sax Clear Lacquer, engraved.

Selmer Series III soprano in lacquered (flat) matte gold

Alto saxophones series 2

Selmer (Paris) Series II Limited Edition "Firebird" Alto Saxophone

Selmer (Paris) Series II Alto Sax in Clear Lacquer, non engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series II Alto Sax in Clear Lacquer, engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series II Alto Sax in Black Lacquer & Engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series II Alto Sax Silver Plated & Engraved

Tenor saxophones

Selmer (Paris) Series II Tenor Sax in Clear Lacquer, Non-Engraved.  

Selmer (Paris) Series II Tenor Sax in Clear Lacquer, Engraved.

Selmer (Paris) Series II Tenor Sax Black Lacquer & Engraved.

Selmer (Paris) Series II Tenor Sax Matte Gold & Engraved

Baritone saxophones

Selmer (Paris) Series II Baritone Sax in Clear Lacquer, engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series II Baritone Sax in Matt Gold & engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series II Baritone Sax, Silver plated & engraved

Series 3 Alto saxophones

Selmer (Paris) Series III Limited Edition "Firebird" Alto Saxophone

Selmer (Paris) Series III Alto Sax in Clear Lacquer.

Selmer (Paris) Series III Alto Sax in Clear Lacquer, engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series III Alto Sax in Flat Matte (non engraved)

Selmer (Paris) Series III Alto Sax in Black Lacquer & Engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series III Alto Sax in Matte Gold & Engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series III Alto Sax Silver Plated & Engraved

Selmer reference Alto saxophones

Selmer Reference "Firebird" Collector Alto Saxophone With High F#

Selmer Reference Alto Sax in old gold lacquer

Selmer Reference Alto Sax in matt "antiqued" finish.

Selmer Reference "Flamingo" Limited Edition Alto Sax .

Series 3 Tenor saxophones

Selmer (Paris) Series III Tenor Sax in Clear Lacquer, Non-Engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series III Tenor Sax in Clear Lacquer, Engraved.

Selmer (Paris) Series III Tenor Sax in Flat Matte (Non Engraved)

Selmer (Paris) Series III Tenor Sax Black Lacquer & Engraved

Selmer (Paris) Series III Tenor Sax Matte Gold & Engraved

To buy a Selmer saxophone *click here*