Brass Rescue

The Selmer Modele 22  (also known as Modèle 22 or Series 22 in its earliest form) was Selmer's first saxophone model, introduced in 1922 and produced through around 1926. It was an early, foundational design with innovations like an automatic octave key, but it had limitations in tuning, ergonomics, and power compared to later Selmer models (like the Balanced Action or Mark VI). The tenor version was available in both Bb and C (C-Melody) variants, with the C-Melody being part

The Selmer Super Balanced Action  (SBA) alto saxophone, a legendary vintage horn from the late 1930s to early 1950s, pairs beautifully with mouthpieces that complement its dark, rich, complex tone and excellent projection without overpowering its inherent warmth. Vintage Recommendations Vintage options from the era often shine on the SBA due to similar design philosophies and materials. The classic short-shank Selmer Soloist  (often in C* or slightly opened to D/E equivalents

The Selmer Super Balanced Action (SBA)  tenor saxophone, produced roughly from the late 1940s to early 1950s, is celebrated for its warm, rich, vintage tone with excellent projection and complexity—qualities that p air well with mouthpieces emphasizing roundness, darkness, and focus rather than extreme brightness or edge. Vintage Recommendations These older pieces often complement the SBA's inherent dark, singing character, evoking classic jazz eras (e.g., swing and bebop inf

The Selmer Balanced Action  is a classic vintage alto saxophone from the 1930s–1940s (produced roughly 1936–1947), known for its warm, resonant tone, excellent intonation, and balanced keywork that was revolutionary at the time. It's a French-made Selmer horn prized by collectors and players for its dark, vintage character—often described as having a rich, complex timbre with great projection and flexibility. Mouthpiece choice depends heavily on your playing style (e.g., clas

The Selmer Reference 36  alto saxophone, modeled after the vintage Balanced Action  from 1936, features a rich, open, and spreading tone with vintage character but modern keywork and intonation. Mouthpiece choice is highly personal, depending on your style (classical vs. jazz), desired brightness or darkness, and reed strength, but common recommendations from players pair well with its warmer, broader sound. Recommended Mouthpieces Selmer Soloist  (especially E or F tip openi

The Selmer Reference 36  tenor saxophone, modeled after the 1936 Balanced Action, features a rich, open, warm, and projecting tone that's particularly favored in jazz . Mouthpiece choice is highly personal and depends on the desired sound (e.g., darker vintage jazz vs. brighter modern), reed strength, and playing style, but several options pair especially well with its acoustic design. Recommended Mouthpieces Common recommendations from players include: Selmer Super Session  

The Selmer Mark VII  tenor (produced 1975–1980s) is often described as brighter and more powerful than the legendary Mark VI , with a larger bore, different taper, and sometimes a "whiny" high end. Many players seek mouthpieces that darken  or warm  the tone while maintaining projection and response. Recommendations overlap heavily with those for the Mark VI, as both are Selmer Paris horns, but focus on versatile or darker options for the VII's character. Popular recommendati

Recommended Mouthpieces for Selmer Mark VII Alto Saxophone The Selmer Mark VII  (produced 1975–1980s for alto) is closely related to the legendary Mark VI , with a similar bore but refinements for better intonation, a slightly more focused and brighter tone, and updated keywork (e.g., larger pinky keys). It pairs well with many of the same mouthpieces as the Mark VI, though some players note it responds better to pieces that add warmth or edge without high baffles. Popular re

The Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone  (produced 1954–1981) is legendary for its rich, focused tone, excellent intonation, and responsiveness, making it a favorite among jazz players. Mouthpiece choice is highly personal—depending on desired tone (dark vs. bright), genre (classical vs. jazz), and tip opening/reed strength—but certain models pair exceptionally well with the Mark VI's versatile character. Popular Modern Recommendations These options suit various playing styles: Sel

The Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone  (produced 1954–1974) is legendary for its versatile, rich tone and excellent intonation, making it a favorite among jazz players. Mouthpiece choice is highly personal—depending on desired sound (dark/warm vs. bright/edgy), genre, and playing style—but certain models pair exceptionally well with the Mark VI's responsive, centered character. Recommended Mouthpieces Otto Link Super Tone Master  (metal or hard rubber): Often called the "classic

The Selmer Model 22 (produced in the 1920s) is an early vintage alto saxophone from Henri Selmer Paris, known for its smaller bore (sometimes called "pea shooter") and distinctive intonation characteristics. Mouthpiece choice is highly personal and depends on your playing style (classical, jazz, etc.), but vintage Selmers like this often pair well with pieces that provide good control, centered tone, and flexibility to match the horn's darker, focused sound. Recommended Mouth