| Selmer makes many saxophones and their line once | | | | players think of when they think 'Selmer', it's the first |
| included the legendary Mark VI. Their recent models | | | | model many players think of when they think |
| have returned to design ideas that the Mark VI had. | | | | 'saxophone'. The horn is truly legendary among jazz |
| Company: Selmer | | | | musicians, and is played by some of the best in the |
| Founding Date: Early 1900s | | | | business. |
| History: | | | | Perhaps because the Mark VI set such a high |
| Selmer was founded in the early 1900s by Henri and | | | | standard, Selmer took a wrong turn with the |
| Alexandre Selmer. In its early days, they focused on | | | | introduction of the Mark VII which most saxophone |
| clarinets, as both of its founders were clarinet players. | | | | players agree was a step backwards. The Reference |
| Although Henri and Alexandre began by building reeds | | | | 54 and Reference 36, however, are gaining a very |
| and mouthpieces for clarinets, the company would | | | | decent reputation. |
| eventually grow to include a wide range of woodwind | | | | Interesting Stories About Them: |
| instruments, including the saxophone. | | | | A recent reviewer at Musicians Friend had very kinds |
| Selmer's most successful saxophone, the Mark VI | | | | words to say about the new Reference model |
| was introduced in 1954. The saxophone was made in | | | | saxophones and how favorably they compare to the |
| France, and originally imported to the United States in | | | | horns they seek to recreate: |
| parts to avoid import tariffs. The Mark VI was | | | | "Playing the Reference 54 tenor was an illuminating |
| produced up until the end of 1973 when it was | | | | experience. I knew at once I had an extraordinary |
| replaced by the Mark VII- supposed to be an | | | | instrument in my hands. It had the richness of tone, the |
| "improvement" but not so much in reality. Selmer's | | | | warmth, and the punch and projection I loved in my |
| newest professional horns, the Reference 54 and the | | | | Mark VI, but was a little brighter.finally put down the |
| Reference 36, were introduced in 2005. These models | | | | Reference 54 and picked up the Reference 36. It had |
| are based on 1954's Mark VI model and 1936's | | | | the same ergonomic key feel as the 54 but its own |
| Balanced Action model. | | | | tonal coloring. It is based on the Balanced Action model |
| Who Plays the Brand: | | | | Selmer introduced in 1936 and has that instrument's rich |
| Selmer is one of the big four saxophone | | | | open sound. Like the 54, it is an extraordinary |
| manufacturers and has a large stable of artists who | | | | instrument. If I had to choose between the two, I'd |
| prefer the brand. A short list of these artist includes Phil | | | | have a hard time making up my mind." |
| Woods, Paul Desmond, Bob Berg, Sonny Rollins, Stan | | | | Price Ranges: |
| Getz, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, John Coltrane, and Lee | | | | Sopranos range from $895 for a student model to |
| Konitz. Owing to the popularity and reputation of the | | | | $5,499 for a professional model. |
| Mark VI horn, this list is only a snippet of the large body | | | | Altos range from $1,602 for a student model to $5,229 |
| of artists that proudly use a Selmer for their | | | | for a professional model. |
| performances. | | | | Tenors range from $2,160 for a student model to |
| What They Are Known For: | | | | $6,199 for a professional model. |
| Although the Selmer name has produced successful | | | | Baritones range from $4,479 to $9.329 for a |
| models for as long as they have been producing | | | | professional model. |
| saxophones, the Mark VI is not only the first model | | | | |