I felt the Raw XS sounded every bit as good as your selmer. Im 74 yr old & play a 1965 mark 6 alto. As a matter of fact the high notes sounded better on the Raw xs than the selmer, but the mid range was fuller & more jazz sounding on the selmer. low end was equal. Selmer is still at the top but now has a equal. Oh yea i still love to play but my arthartis wont let me articulate as fast anymore. U better get a raw if you can afford oneas after u get use to it i believe it will be your 2nd lady.
Can you open a store like yours in the states? Pleeeeeze.....specifically, in Idaho...yes, we love potatoes, but there are many sax addicts here too :)
Your Mark Vi is definitely the perfect fit for you! I thought the same, the Custom was second, similar but without as much warmth and body as your 6. I agree, Yanigasawas always feel awful when I play them. I feel like I can't get any air through them. As a P. Mauriat guy, it would have been cool to hear you play on one of those as well. Great content as usual!
Hey Scott. I was thinking of you when I looked at the PMs. I tried one on alto and it didn’t feel like a perfect fit for me. Not sure why. Hard to say though in such a short time. I WAS trying a Selmer Supreme and a cigar cutter before that and they were drastically different from the P! Didn’t try a P tenor. I’ll do that next time, I know you swear by them!
Watching again after a fee months. Sig Custom really puts the mic into your body. You sound better on this than just about anyone I've heard on Saxophone. Transparent and open with no outward boundaries. I am a Hi-Fi geek.
there are lots of videos with saxophonisits campairing different saxes. They flatten all the saxes they play, making them sound like themselves.. I think this was the first time a sax player, made the horns sound like their natural sound. Great job. For the history, the signature horn is born for you.
After listening to the two horns (Sig and Selmer) played back to back, and twenty times. The emotions the Sig produces are so much more poignant and intense. As if the horn is crying, so very passionately. The Selmer has a more sorrow forlorn feel. A sense of longing. Like a wistful distant memory. A fairy-tale. Amazing truly.
The Sigg custom was hands above any of the other horns. I thought all horn sounded the same more or less. This one was entirely distinctive. I would be proud on that horn.
Jamie, you are a genius and I thank you for the desire you put into your videos, I started studying when I was great and I love the information you give and the selfless attitude, a big hug from Lanús Argentina.
All horns sounded amazing with you on the end of them . I think your own mk vi just had the edge . Which tells me , pick a horn you personally love and learn to know it . Thanks Jamie , great video . 😍
In high school, as a beginner, I was fortunate enough to get a 1982 model Yanigisawa T-880. I always loved it because it was just what I knew. I learned to tame a beasty Berg on it for everything from marching, to concert, to jazz ensembles. I had high anticipation for what that modern Yani would do with you playing. And it was interesting to hear how it immediately didn't vibe with you like the others did. Makes me wonder what MY sound would be like trying them all out. Fun video and thanks for this neat take.
The Sig custom was the stand out for me, at a great price to! As soon as you blew the first phrase, it had that sound that I liken to melted chocolate! Build quality would be your issue, your horn gets so much use. If it can handle the heat, I think it’s a sure bet.
Great fun video Jamie! Just goes to show that we all have a certain sound in our heads which we are striving towards. I've always liked a tight contemporary sound and have been a Yamaha guy forever so, of course, I liked you on the Custom Z best!
Great video, Jamie. The MkVI has a classic sweet tone all around. It's the winner for me. The Yamaha had a very smooth even sound but less texture. The Signature was my choice for a close second to the MkVI. 👍🎷
It's the good ol' human emotion 'sentimentality'. Allows you to ignore the improvements revolutionising the instrument manufacture and stick to good ol' reliable drum brakes.
I bought my Reference 36 about 22 years ago. Love it. I'd spent a full day in the shop with an array of tenors, fully expecting to walk away with a Yanagisawa Despite what you & Jim said, I could hear distinct differences - I thought you sounded best on the 36, then your MK6, then the Signature Custom Raw XS.
I sold my MK V1 52 years ago and ALWAYS regetted it.... for me Jamie the MK V1 is the one for you ! even though you looked tempted....Very enjoyable video with you and Jim :) Thank you X
I wish you said something about the playability and the finishing of the horns. I have an Selmer SA80 II. The Instrument is over 30 years old and sounds, looks and plays great.
I’m a new huge fan of yours. I don’t play sax. I play guitar. So it was very interesting to me to hear the different saxes. And you might be interested in the reactions of someone who doesn’t play sax. I’m just reacting to the TONE you produced. I love the tone of your old Selmer. My favorite sax players get a tone similar to yours on this instrument. Rich, full, and gorgeous! My second favorite was the Signature Custom. It was closest to the tone of your old Selmer. My third favorite was the Yanagisawa. I think it sounded a little brighter and not as full, but beautiful. My fourth favorite = the Yamaha, which sounded even brighter than the Yanagisawa. It’s a fantastic sound, and it might work great in a mix where you want more prominence. But it doesn’t have the depth of your old Selmer. My fifth favorite was the new Selmer, which surprised me. It just didn’t sound as good as the others. Not as full; not as bright; and what was there just didn’t sound as interesting. I’m thrilled to have your window into the world of sax players. I appreciate your restraint. If you were a guitar player, you’d own all of them and play only one of them. So many guitar players have at least 20 guitars and never play 17 of them - haha! Thanks!
I totally agree with you ! Same ranking, same reasons. I have a The Martin from 1926 myself. But I really like the sound of the Signature Custom. Real fat sound for a small price in comparison to a new Selmer.
Great video. You sounded great on all of them of course. That Mark VI is YOU. The Signature Custom sounded as good as the Mark VI to my ears. That will definitely be one to consider when I get ready for a tenor. Thanks for all you do.
Despite the name of my channel, I also am a committed saxophonist that plays professionally. I admire your playing and your content. I have had many tenors in my life. My original vi was indeed stolen and have lived the nightmare you express concern about. My first vi was about the same vintage you play. I ended up playing a couple different super balanced, which were amazing instruments to play. One was a 50,000 silver plated and the other was a lacquer 54,000. The 54,000 was the instrument of my dreams. I ended up trading it for a model 37 selmer bass clarinet and a late mark vi tenor. I hated to see it leave my life, but I needed to replace my model 33 bass clarinet that I was never super happy with. The vi I have now is good too. I never felt comfortable playing the modern horns. They are great, and I am sure if it came down to it, I would find my voice with one. I agree that there are other options than a vi, but I will avoid them as long as I have the horn I have:) Again, great stuff, and you sound amazing
Sounded great on all. Mark VI sounded best in my book, and Ref 36 closest was beautiful and has newest technology and materials with Selmer feel. Sensed full sound throughout the horn from lowest subtone Bb to highest altissimo. Maybe greatest confidence (altissimo clear and full) and similar ergonomics on Ref 36. Tone not as strong or maybe you had to think more. 2 questions - 1) you are accomplished enough that it is hard to hear whether you had to work harder against finger placement changes, and altissimo but which had the closest ergonimics to the mark vi. 2) Intonation - I am more of a markVI fan on alto than tenor - I play a King Super 20 tenor (1974) as I hear a brighter fatter sound v Selmer tenor more dark. My '65 MKVI alto has the legendary intonation issues that have to be dealt with and on your try out I would have appreciated if you noticed any intonation tendencies in any of the horns. Was altissimo in tune, were the lowest notes on the horn flat and unable to be lipped up without overblowing to be corrected. Would like to hear you compare the mark VI classic against other vintage or notable recent horns such as a vintage King silversonic, and perhaps a new or vintage Keilwerth Shadow, Eastman, etc. Your lessons and persona filled with enthusiasm is fantastic, as was your transcription of all the famous solos from the 50s, 60'w 70's and 80's and then perform them - tip of the hat for Wilton Felder's solo on street life. not easy and you sounded great.
I was at Sax shop in January looking at a potential new sax for next year when I retire. Your timing is spot on and helps me when I have to decide what to get .The signature stood out amongst the new sax’s you tried 👌
I also think the Yamaha is the one which suited your fabulous playing, and would satisfy your expectations if you were to move on from the Mark 6. I really enjoyed your video. Thanks for sharing.😊
Custom Raw! I traded MY '74 MK VI for one! Thought the Yani was the weakest sound of the bunch and only your MK VI hung with the Trevor James. I thought the Raw was taking your air and putting out most efficiently of all. Thanks Jamie.
@@GetYourSaxTogether Jamie, I did! I always felt like I fought the low notes and the bridge into the altissimo on the VI. I'd played it pro and semi-pro for forty years. But, after a long lapse of not playing, I got the fire back and wanted to see what was out there. I tried new Selmer, Yamaha, Schagerl , Yani, and Eastman and didn't love anything. I compromised on the YTS-82Zii because it was so playable- no resistance and easy altissimo. But there was something lacking in the sound for me- monophonic, overly focused, thin, and after a year, I grew to hate it. I read famous sax tech/author Stephen Howard's online reviews of Selmer and Yamaha, and I thought, "This guy describes these instruments in the identical terms that I do!" So when Steve reviewed the Signature Custom Raw with such enthusiasm, and had actually swapped out his Yammy for it, I knew I had to try one. And it was love at first note- everything warm, big, and spread about a MK VI, but with less resistance and nicer keywork. It's going on four years, and I've never regretted parting with the MK VI or the Custom Z. FWIW, a teacher and I had played a half-dozen Selmers back in the day and chose mine as the best, so it was a good one. The TJ SC is holding up very well. The Pisoni pads never, ever stick, and it's the right sound for me. I saw that Scott (Paddock) also commented positively about you on the SC and mentioned his Mauriat alto. I'd later gotten to play a P. Mauriat intermediate tenor and thought it to be very good too, so I do believe that the better Taiwanese-made instruments have something special going for them. I think Dave Farley and Trevor James has absolutely nailed it, and at that price- insane!
The 36 sounds like money. Just a quality sound and a no compromise mechanism with no noise. The unlaquered xs has no veil obscuring the sound of the raw brass. Maybe thin at first, but like a condenser mic, you have to be a good singer to use it. I like it. Great sax to hear what you are really doing. Especially with playback. My background is electronics and Hi-Fi..And starting sax again..
You sounded the best on the Yamaha Custom ZII and the Trevor James “Signature Custom” in my opinion! And your ease up and down the horn and facial expressions on both showed this clearly. I happen to own both and am very happy with them. Both of mine are gold lacquer and NOT the un lacquered or Raw. I did own a Selmer Mark VI five digit but it definitely wasn’t a fit for me even though it was professionally overhauled and since sold it. I liked the ergonomics on the Yamaha and “Signature Custom” better than the Mark VI! The quality of the Z and the “Signature Custom” are absolutely perfecto! But I will say that your Mark VI sounded great and is definitely a fit for you!
Hi Jamie, i have only just started to learn to play tenor, but when I do eventually up grade i think that the sig custom would be my choice. Thank you for taking the time to demo the saxes for all of us out here. Also thank you to Jim. Cheers, Martin.
The Signature Custom sounded the best. But, why didn't you try a Selmer Reference 54 and the new Selmer Signature Series? Maybe, for the next video. Kind Regards, Dave
Very interesting. The Selmer Reference sounded amazing but the Sig Custom was exceptional. It had a unique sound to it. Like you, I worry about my vintage Yamaha tenor and generally use my back-up because there's always someone who manages to bash our saxes with a guitar or something!
would have loved to hear you play the ref 54. Removing your Mk VI from the equation, the ref 36 came out on top for me, you made it sing, and it looked easy to play (sorry you always make it look easy - awesome as always :-)
Hi Jamie. Love this video. I love that you recorded it with no frills too so I listened to the whole thing also with no frills, just using my iPhone speaker. I too play a Mark vi, a 1964 model and I love it. You know I’ve written to you before and I’m a classical flute player who took up bass in my teens and sax in my 20’s. I don’t consider myself a great sax player but I’m certainly a very adequate sax player. My advantage is that I have a great understanding of music theoretically. Anyway, to the play test. The Reference 36 sounded really nice. The Yamaha surprised me, it sounds great. I had a very old Yamaha student model for years before my Selmer and it served me well but that one you played sounds fantastic. I was told once by James Galway to get a decent flute when I had a Yamaha pro model but even that didn’t change my opinion in the one you just played!! The Yani just did not float my boat at all. The Raw sounds amazing over the phone. Out of the four you demonstrated I would rate the sound in order of preference: 1. Raw 2. Selmer reference 36 3. Yamaha 4. Yanigasawa. Finally though, when you played the Mark vi against the Raw (bear in mind that I was listening as I shaved, I had no glasses on and went by phone speaker sound only; I had to watch back with glasses so I could comment honestly), as soon as you played the Mark vi I heard the sound that I heard the first time I played mine; I felt like I had just come home. I would, on the strength of your video, strongly consider having a Raw as a stand by instrument. The bonus is it’s the most affordable of them all. I have several basses and several flutes, all waiting for the day that my good ones let me down but I’ve only one soprano, alto snd tenor. My soprano and alto are both Hanson instruments and are beautiful affordable instruments, you should try them sometime. Final thought. The Mark vi is still the cream to my ears. Thanks for the video!
I play a six. Love it..BUT, believe if stolen, we will continue to blow and find our sound... Thks for the demo. I can now play with less fear of loss!
Great vid Jamie. I agree your mk 6 had an edge, probably down to how well you know it but the custom and new selmer sounded great. The yany was a bit bright for me
Wish there was a description of the Mouthpiece and reed setup being used. That has a much larger impact on tonality that a horn body. And mostly, the neck is defining the tonal quality on the horn... the body of the horn itself is mostly about playability / dexterity
I thought for sure you would really go for the TWO20. I liked your sound on that horn the best. Of course, I'm a bit biased. While I've never played a Mark VI, I play and absolutely love my TWO20 (over modern Selmers and Yamahas). Fun video! Thanks for doing it.
Great Video Jamie Thanks. I think the Sig Custom is your Horn next to MVI. The Reference gives you a little more jazzy darker Sound. But the Yanagisawa is really not your Horn. 😉 Thanks for sharing 🙏 I hope one day I,am in London and go to this amazing Store. I,am in Heaven.
That was a great comparison show Jamie and Jim. I’ll be honest I’ve had the Yani Alto AW020 for a year and love it but looking to another Tenor from my Selmer S80-II and the Ref 36 grabbed my attention. Jamie you sounded amazing on the Sig!
Jamie, thank you for this video it really helps. I have a battered MKVI 1969 with high F# I just love the action it has but I'm always tempted to try a different horn, this video answers many of my questions. Thanks
