Well you can guess which one I prefer. I will be buying my own Sterling Series 3. and all info I have says -there is nothing like it -VERY OPEN- and resonant, less resistive than the brass series 3. This is straight from the horse's mouth . Yanis are already bright too bright silver would be a bit much . As for choice, I rather think that Selmer might stop making these and that will mean that they will increase in value better than a Yani,, should your children want to sell the inheritance one day. As for brass and silver on the same horn ( not my favorite combo ) Selmer cannot make these any other way . I wrote Selmer about making it in silver only even if the keys needed to be silver plated . Their answer was-- brass is needed for the keys for strength sake-- and should they silver plate the keys then the keys would be of different color to the body since it is Sterling . I would keep this as stock as possible believe me saxes without engraving age better. I would like to see Selmer identify these a little different though by labeling the bell or so . Any way enjoy it .

Hold off on the purchse,,,, my sterling series 3 is in Canada at customs I will let you know how it sounds in a week or so after I give it a good run !!!!!

Buy an old Conn New Wonder Series II, a transitional horn, or an early 6M from about 1926-1936 in silver with rolled tone holes. Then, have it completely overhauled; new springs, kangaroo pads with metal resonators, corks, etc. Have the body chemically cleaned and polished. The sound is amazing, and these old horns play so easy! You can't buy a better horn today!

Say connsaxman the original question was concerning sterling not OLD NEW WONDER or NEW OLD WONDER or OLD NEW NO WONDER or WONDER if OLD IS NEW or NEW IS OLD MY WONDER IS why can you not lay off the OLD proselyting. You are sounding like you are in some cult following. Do you bow down and light candles to these mummys????? Or maybe are you trying to get us all onto these relics so that you are left with new horns at low prices all to yourself?

If you haven't figured it out Jim has a Shrine to Charles Gerard Conn in his Basement. He visites it daily and makes live selmer offerings to his demi God. All hail the power of the Mighty CONN.

Amen Radjammin! Selmer 4 Ever's musical style could not be more different than mine. He is a classical player who likes the more sophisticated (AKA Snobby) tone of his Selmer Mark 7. My other theory is that the barometric pressure up there in Canada has effected his hearing! I like the bold and brassy, sometimes sassy sounds of my old Conns and Kings. I play jazz, bob, blues and funk. The orginal question was in regards to 2 sterling silver saxophones; a Silver Selmer Series III and a Yanagisawa A 9937. The Yanagisawa has a nice action, and the quality is very good, but it still gets a "yuck" rating in the tone catagory in my opinion. The Selmer not only gets a "yuck" rating in tone, but in quality also. I used to own one. If you want a nice Silver horn with a tone that will turn people's heads, then here are my recommendations: My first choice would be a Conn New Wonder Series II, Transitional, or early 6M in Silver. You can usually find them in need of repair fairly cheap. Give it a complete overhaul and you have one AWESOME sax! You just can't buy a horn like that today! My second choice would be a King Super 20 Silversonic if you can find one at a decent price. As for new, I would look at the Silver Keilwerth SX-90R or the Cannonball Stone Series.

Here we go again Cryogenic Connsaxman like Rip Van Winkle should wake up ,,no sorry,,,,,, go back to sleep your out of synch with reality anyway and it will be too big a shock for you . Conn sax ,,,,I am not tying to change your mind I rather think that is futile since No one is as deaf as he who chooses to not hear.

Should we revive Conns Con't Play

Selmer 4ever, how old are you?

What difference does it make and how old do you think I might be seeing that I have owned 3 mk VI -one buffet prestige -2 super action 80 -3 Series 2 - one cigar cutter - 4 Mk 7 - and now one Sterling Series 3 THIS ONLY IN ALTOs A varied soprano selection but only one tenor and a one Buffet Baritone

Buffet makes the best clarinet money can buy without a doubt! I play a Buffet R-13. FANTASTIC tone! (Not that I play clarinet too often) I've played a few of their saxophones and I was very impressed with the action and feel. I especially liked the Super Dynaction alto. Their tenors just sounded a little weak to me. You just can't beat a Conn tenor for sound! As for baritones, I can't decide what I like best; my 1955 King Zephyr II, or my 1930 Conn New Wonder Series II.

Good suggestion the silversonic if you want to have absolutely the Silver, you could get a regular Super-20 with the silver neck. Keilwerth says they wanted to reproduce those horns with the Sx-90r series adding the Conn rolled tone. Having tried the Shadow the feeling is comparable to the Super-20. Personnally I chose both Tenor (chu berry and S-20) after trying silver ones and the Killwert nickel and of course the Mk6, ref 36 and 54. I got two hell of a sound for the price of one.

Sorry Selmer 4 Ever, but Jim aint alone. Im another vintage is King afficianado... and Have my own collection of vintage horns. For that classical tone - your Selmer wont sand a Chance against my Buffet SDA alto or Big B tenor. everything else - I stand by TH&C and Super 20 Silversonic tenors now, my Martin Bari, and 6M alto As for the solid silver horn issue, if you *have* to have one of those horns get the Yanagisawa. Much better quality, and tone than the selmer these days. I personally see no need for the whole sax to be sterling though, and suggest that if you want a silver horn, just go for your favorite horn(new or vintage) and find one in silver plate!

I find it quite remarkable the number of people who have recently purchased vintage American horns. I get several emails each day from people telling stories about the old horns that they found on ebay, garage sales, or tucked away in their uncle's closet. It's quite obvious that these people really love their saxophones. The price that some of these vintage saxophones are selling for is also quite surprising. While many are available at very affordable prices, other popular horns like the King Super 20 often sell for more than $3500 in good condition. Conn 6M's and 10M's; especially earlier models with rolled tone holes, are selling for $2,500 to $3,500! Many new manufacturers have tried to recapture some of the vintage appeal. Several manufacturers offer saxophones in Silver, with a more vintage look. Keilwerth SX-90's feature soldered on tone rings, which resemble the rolled tone holes of the vintage Conn saxophones of the 30's and 40's. Cannonball Big Bell Global Series horns are designed to produce a sound more like the King Silversonic that their namesake, Cannonball Adderly played. There are several mouthpieces available that are designed specifically for these old horns. What really surprises me is the sudden popularity of the C Melody saxophones. Many people are buying these old horns to restore and play. So many, in fact, that some companies have started making C Melody mouthpieces once again! There are even websites specifically for C Melody owners. I think many people recognize that many of the horns today just don't have the quality of the older horns. These antique American horns were built by highly skilled American craftsmen. These saxophones were built to last, and last they have! Many of them are still around 85 years later! I've been collecting vintage horns for the past 8 years. I have played all of the new saxophone models, and many vintage models. I love vintage horns! They just have character, and maybe a little magic tucked away in those stinky old cases! The Selmer snobs just don't seem to understand. They think that many of these horns are just old relics that aren't even worth the brass they were made out of! Well, I've seen more than one Selmer snob put down their Super Balanced Action or Mark VI, and pick up one of these vintage American horns! It's all a matter of preference. Different people prefer different styles and have different tastes. I've excepted that fact regardless of my own personal opinions. My time is very valuable since I have been so busy these past couple months. I regret that I haven't had the time to answer many of the posts I have read here on Saxquest. Therefore, Selmer 4 Ever, I must decline another debate with you on this topic. It seems as though it would be pointless, since I'm not about to change your mind any more than you are mine! Keep the emails coming and long live vintage American saxophones! Jim

I have been playing the sax for many years and have owned Bueschers, Mk VIs, Conns, Yamahas, I forget them all. I have settled on two altos which I find do everything I want. 1. Yani A9930. The solid silver is hugely different from a silver plate horn. The build and action are the best and the material gives a huge range and flexibility of tones from great subtley to power. I find the regular 991 a bit bland but the 9930 is fantastic. Don't see teh necessity to spend the extra $s on a 9937 2. Transitonal Conn (silver plate). Light fast action, big solid tone. Nothing else quite like it. I would only advise going for a vinatge horn as your main instrument if it's in very sound condition and free of wear in the action. Beware of badly swaged keys - they'll never stay tight and adjusted. I've made a number of attempts to like selmers but have nver found one for sale that I really loved. Since the MkVI quality control is poor both on the action and tone, but if you find a good one they can be great. I also have tenor and soprano 9930's and don;t see myself changing them ever.

ConnsaxmanJim, if you have time, what do you mean by having the horn chemically cleaned? i use a neutral soap for horns, is that it or something more specialized. Polishing i red is not recommanded unless...?

There is a chemical cleaner made specifically for cleaning brass instruments. It's a mild acid cleaner. The tech who repairs my horns uses it. It does a pretty good job of removing tarnish and corrosion. What I do with the silver horns that I have restored is I use Tarn-X and an old tooth brush to remove tarnish. An small paint brush helps to get in around the posts and keyguards. After cleaning with Tarn-X, I rinse them in warm water and polish them with a silver polish. You have to be careful with the engraving though. I would not use any type of buffer, just a soft rag, and be careful not to use anything that is abrasive. Wright's Silver cream works very well.

Best stuff I found for cleaning Ni is "Flitz". Blue and silver colored tube in triangular box. German formula, made in France, imported through Canada. Did the job where others failed. FYI.

thank you both Jz and CsaxJ for input. Mark

So I have been playing the Selmer Solid Silver Series 3 ( alto ) for one week now and it is getting better the more I break it in . Here is my assesment the sound is rather very centered almost as if it is one tree trunk in front of you( it is by no means as wide as say a mark 7 ) which renders the sterling silver particularly adept for classical. I suppose jazz as well since this is what the mark 6 was like, Not as bright as a Mk6 however, color is very flexible it responds well and quickly this is surprising since it is much heavier than the brass version or even a plated super balanced action If you use plenty of pressure in your playing as i do ( very fast air speed and strong downward diaphramatic support) you will find that the horn can take it without cracking ppp is no problem as is fff the lower range is hefty and bold without overbooming , The attacks are clear and precise ( I like and make this a must in my playing and sax selections) the notes start as soon as the tongue releases the reed. Tuning is very good among the best I have seen and this does not come at the cost of homogeneity . The timbre is constant throughout the range I can blend it with piano, organ and even strings---- again great for classical-- jazz guys don't give a hoot . Sorry they do hoot!!!!! It will blow the whole section away with power as it has plenty , One thing though if you do not like a refined horn but rather prefer a brute THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!!!!! It is a finess horn the silver does sweeten it quite a bit but I am not sure how much is caused by the neck alone as opposed to the full silver deal. The best attribute i would say sweetness and flexibility of sound . Is it worth the money ?????? depends on you but i could live with this horn quite a while and work it. Now I wait for a factory hand picked version !!!!!

Hey, I'd get a Silver Custom Z. Many people overlook the newer Yamaha horns, but I have a Custom and it's real nice. Best modern alto out there; I even think it hold's it own with a Mark VI!

Hey Kitch we are talking sterling not plated !!!

So its been a while that I have this horn 3+ years ,,, it is a Serie III in sterling silver ,,handpicked at the Selmer Paris factory by Delangle ( took a while to get) It is impressive ,,sweet ,,round and precise both in intonation and sound emission,,(attacks) One reservation ,,,it is not a rock sax it is not grouchy ,,it is capable of the most fff and the softest ppp ,,very refined Is it worth the money ,,, more so than a Yani ( which costs more and they stopped the elaborate engraving of yesteryear) but still overkill ,,in my case it was same price as the regular brass model ,,, given it is sterling and hand picked ,,certainly worth every penny

on 3/19/2009 12:38:00 PM So its been a while that I have this horn 3+ years ,,, it is a Serie III in sterling silver ,,handpicked at the Selmer Paris factory by Delangle ( took a while to get) It is impressive ,,sweet ,,round and precise both in intonation and sound emission,,(attacks) One reservation ,,,it is not a rock sax it is not grouchy ,,it is capable of the most fff and the softest ppp ,,very refined Is it worth the money ,,, more so than a Yani ( which costs more and they stopped the elaborate engraving of yesteryear) but still overkill ,,in my case it was same price as the regular brass model ,,, given it is sterling and hand picked ,,certainly worth every penny