Selmer Paris Reference 54 Eb Alto Saxophone

I tried a Reference 54 and a Yamaha Custom Z altos. Both had excellent action and intonation. I found it quite easy to generate the high F and low B flat with both horns. I did not like the sound of the Yamaha so much. It sounded a bit like a toy sax (just a bit). The Selmer had a great sound. However, when I got home and played my old re-lacquered Mark VI, I thought its sound still had more core than the Reference 54. I wish I had tried them side by side. The action of the 54 is way better than that of the Mark VI, and the high F comes much easier on the 54. So if the sound was the same or better, the 54 would beat the Mark VI hands down. But I am still not convinced, and sound is the ultimate criterion for choosing a horn. I hope I will have the chance to compare the 54 with my Mark VI side by side.

Throughout high school, I had played on Yamaha 875 Custom, and I loved it. The intonation was excellent, and the key position was great. I just entered college, and I had played some Selmer Series III and was unimpressed with how it felt and sounded. The sound on them is very even in all registers, but the key action just felt flimsy and I felt like I was going to break it. I tried out the Reference 54 at a local music store and I really liked it. The dark lacquer really caught my attention. It sounded a lot like my Yamaha, but fuller and much more responsive. I noticed that there was some wobbling in the lower register, especially on the C, but the gold neck that I got solved the problem and makes the horn so much better for the low and high end. Altissimo is very easy to get out, far superior to my old Custom. It was a very easy switch from my old horn, except for the high E key which is shaped differently. It takes a little getting used to, but it's a small price to pay for the wonderful tone and response. Overall, it's a fantastic horn and would recommend it over a Series III anyday.

After playing a new 54 alto for a couple hours, I first have to say that they have finally made the sax that us sax players have been begging for since 1973. I played it along side my 1936 balance action and found that the 54 is identical to the BA in sound quality, maybe even a bit darker. The 54 had extreme power to it. Projection and volume were huge. This means you'll produce some wonderful sounds for the microphone. So this sax will sound better live then anything Selmer has ever produced. I canÆt wait to hear it on CD. The feel is great, mostly like a series 3. The left hand palm keys, which are closer to the body, will take some getting used to, as well as the high E key for the right hand. The post for that key is too close to the key and I kept hitting it all night. Mark VI players wonÆt notice this. SelmerÆs BA and SBA had a better design for high E. Altissimo playing ability was equal to a series 3. I also played it next to a new gold Yamaha 875EX and the Yamaha just sounded so thin and mellow, it had no character to it. It just didnÆt come close to the classic sax sound that we all grew up with. This horn took everything I could give it and made it pretty. I imagine Selmer will sell this sax for the next 30 years.

For 8 years ( yes, even into the beginning of my freshman year...embarrassingly ) I played with the Standard Yamaha horn. The basic of the basics. And here I am in college trying to play have of the stuff they throw at me. Now don't get me wrong, 95% of what is played is the performer, not the horn. But it was time, I NEEDED a new horn. So I went out and bought the Reference 54 Selmer Hummingbird. Same exact horn, except a few different engravings. Wow, what an amazing difference. The tone is rich and dark, the response you get from altissimo notes is outstanding. And, for all of us sax players, we all know how hard it is to play extremely low and pianissimo. Well...this horn will totally blow your mind when you realize you can easily play the lowest note on the horn and an almost un-audible volume. Absolutely amazing horn. I know I am younger compared to many saxophone hobbyists, but I have done my fair share of research, and playing. The only thing I played that even came CLOSE to this saxophone was the Julius Keilwerth Shadow...but still there was something missing in that horn that this one delivered. Outstanding horn. It is definitely Selmers next Knock out sax!-Michael Robinson-Music Major at Grand Rapids Community College

I have played a number of these instruments and have found them to be exceptional. A local music retailer had me come in to test a couple of them because of a complaint they had with a "bubble" on the lower end of the instrument, especially in the area of the low C/D. The first time I tried it I was able to create this "bubble", but the pitch sounded low. After finding the position on the cork where the instrument was in tune (instrument in proper length)the problems disappeared and the instrument played wonderfully. These instruments play in tune with the mouthpiece pushed all the way on the neck cork, putting the mouthpiece in the position where you play a Mark VI will not only be out of tune but will create the lower register problems I heard and read about. Always make sure the instrument is in tune.