#Selmer reference 54 dimension pro
#Selmer reference 54 dimension series

On one of our lines, the bell, body, bow, and neck are hand hammered and THEN hand burnished. On some of our lines, the bell is hand hammered. I'm not aware of anyone who has been able to successfully automate that process fully, including Selmer.There are various degrees of hand work used in the fabrication of bodies, bells, bows, and necks. The cost of the metal used is a VERY minor consideration in saxophone construction, as it is only a small fraction of total production costs.Almost every maker with which I am familiar still hand assembles keywork. Many manufacturers today use a higher percentage of zinc to give the horn a brighter sound, but they are only following consumer preference. The 'better brass was used in the past' story is a myth. We use a different mix in each one of our lines. Later.Īs a matter of qualification, I'm currently employed as designer for five different saxophone brands, and oversee the manufacturing of all of them.You can specify any alloy you want.

So I believe the temporary endorsement story. The Mark VI he always used to play, if in good shape, would blow just as easily as that Yamaha. Hmm - what would you have to pay for a new old stock Mark VI? $8000 or more I'd guess. So in reality, Selmer could charge $8000 - $11,000 list - for a hand assembled new horn, formed and drilled with the CNC machines of course. And they aren't teaching the craft to youngsters.

#Selmer reference 54 dimension pro

If $4800 is a fair price for a CNC produced pro Selmer today, assembled with robotics, I would guess hand assembly would add 10 man hours - perhaps for $200 extra cost to Selmer translating to $400 more out the door? There probably aren't more than a dozen such craftsmen left however. then? I would guess saxes use more like a 70/30 brass, so maybe $30 extra cost due to the copper market? I think the comment about hand assembly is the key. So it would cost a whole $24 extra today vs. After all: a 60/40 yellow brass does have 60% copper at $3+ per pound.

Perhaps the horn factories choose to use a lower copper content brass today because of cost though. The only thing that has changed much at all in the foundries is there are a few more low-lead formulas in use. This is the rich gold lacquer finish Ref 54 model.Can you picture a site like this 30 years from now - Wow you guys should hear my 2001 Yamaha 82Z - it's a classic! Brass metallurgical formulas CAN be done exactly the same today as the 1920's through 1960's.

#Selmer reference 54 dimension series

Supplied in a deluxe Reference series case with relevant premium accessories.

The Ref 54 neck dimensions are based on a classic Mark VI neck design.Ī perfect balance of power, projection and precision. The Ref 54 has a narrower bow to bell junction than the Ref 36 for a more focussed sound. Handmade in Paris, France by highly experienced craftsmen. This really is an amazing all round Sax for any genre in any situation. With a hand engraved bell and Reference series case included the Ref 54 not only plays the part but its looks match the premium quality we have come to expect from Selmer in the 21st century. This design feature, combined with the Mark VI dimensions on the crook, add up to give the Ref 54 a slightly more centred, punchy sound than the broader less focussed Ref 36. The Reference 54 Tenor model has a slightly narrower bow to bell junction than the wider Ref 36 model. Far from being a pastiche copy the new Reference 54 takes the feel, sound and spirit of the Mark VI and re-imagines it to suit the requirements of modern Saxophonists. Supplied in two versions here we focus on the Selmer Reference 54 in rich gold lacquer: The 54 number refers back to 1954 when the famous Mark VI model was first produced. The Selmer Reference series Saxophones have helped put Selmer back in their rightful place at the top of the Sax Manufacturing tree.