Selmer Reference 54 tenor

I have to say that the ref 54 is quite amazing - It takes a little time to blow in but when you do wow, what an action and what a sound. I think it is even better than a Mark 6. Would recommend this sax to anyone who is serious about playing

Don't listen to others listen to the sax. This is an amazing sax, unfortunately it needs to be properly set up. I tried 6 and only 2 were well set up. Each sax has its own personality so you would have to judge for yourself if this is/isn't the sound your looking for. Great tone, timbre and unbelieveble mechanics.

Worth going to Paris Selmer and trying out a few to see which one suits you best..even within the same model type, there are differences.

Good luck and enjoy!

Tried about 8 different Reference 54 tenors before making my purchase. They were all fairly close in overall sound and general playing characteristics. Selmer quality control and uniformity has definitely improved since the time when I brought my M6 tenor in 1963. Back then there was very little continuity from one horn to another, especially in the bottom register.

I carefully tried and compared the 54 to all others (including Series II & III, all Yamahas, Yanis and Keilworth) and none of them had the subtle sonic qualities of the 54. They were all good pro horns, but lacked that unidenfiable "something" that made the 54, like the M6, stand out.

A reasonable tonal quality but Selmer now seem to suffer from poor quality assurance.

I took delivery of a ref. 54 and it was unplayable due to out of adjustment keys and sticking pads. Compared to the Yamaha YTS62 the 54 is difficult to adjust but the biggest problem is staining of the laquer on the bell. This is a problem known to Selmer and they admit it is caused by acid in the flux used to solder brackets to the bell. Prior to applying the laquer, this should be thoroughly cleaned off but in some cases it is not completely removed. It takes about a year for the acid to burn through the laquer - just as the warranty is about to expire. My horn was sent back to Selmer in Paris in mid December and I'm still waiting to get it back. They estimated 90 days. I really regret the purchase of this horn.

This horn is so expensive that you really need to want a first-rate horn. However, I haven't played a sax that comes close to the overall playability tone and 'sexiness' of the Reference 54. Years after my purchase I don't regret it one bit. In fact, now I'm saving my thousands for a Reference Alto

Look, sound!!!, The Selmer Reference 54 tenor is easy to play. It becomes a part of you just after few minutes of playing.

The Selmer Reference 54 tenor is a very good sax. Nice full tone, real good sound. The sax itself feels good to hold and play palm keys felt just right for me, although I have big hands. Looks wise its stunning. If money is no problem, however what ever sax you're thinking of buying I'd recommend you spend a little time on it, that should go without saying. I play with a rock band and play a lot of soul backing stuff with my sax and get on fine.

I have tried around 15 or so of these saxes, and only found two I wanted. (Wife has the second one) The first has been with me virtually since they became available. Great sound, better than any MKVI I I have tried, and there have been a lot of those, and has not let me down, being played for an average of 20hours a week. So impressed I bought Altos as well. (These have a tendancy for the G# key to stick, so watch for that) WE also have P Maurriatts which we like, for a backup, and have had Yan992, however the sound from them was not so good for me, and the ergonomics and speed of the keys was not so good. The only complaints I have is I find it difficult to get Altissimo between top top G and C above , and Selmer really are not looking after their customers with the cases they sell.Personally I like the cube shape cases, they stop you needing to carry stuff seperately, and if you ever need to drive down country lanes to get to a gig or home as I do, no matter how carefully you drive the square cases win every time. So if you find a good one buy it, dump the case on ebay before it falls apart and buy either a Yan case or better still say a Bently Sax for the case as these cases are better then Selmers, (the saxes are excellent value for money as well) so you do not advertise to people "look I am carrying around a VERY expensive piece of saleable metal" Selmers quailty control leaves a lot to be desired, so if you pick up a naff one, don't assume it's the best you can get, but NEVER buy any Selmer without playing it for half an hour first.

I highly recommend this sax.

I tried several Selmar Reference 54 tenor saxophones, and a few Reference 36's on the same day, and it was clear to me that the 36's have a better, fatter and more complex sound. I almost bought a Ref 36 that day, but I just couldn't part with my old Mark VI, and I couldn't afford to have both. I reasoned that the grass is always greener, and that in a month I'd have deep regrets. I am glad I made that call!