Selmer Reference 36 Alto Mouthpieces

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 openings) — A vintage-inspired hard rubber piece that complements the horn's character, offering a rich, centered, and modulated sound.

• Selmer Concept — Modern, easy-blowing with rich evenness and consistency; favored for classical or versatile playing.

• Selmer S80 (C* or D) or S90 — Classic, warm, and broad-sounding hard rubber pieces that are reliable standards on Selmer horns.

• Meyer (medium tip, e.g., 6M) — Often praised for bringing out a singing, powerful quality on Reference-series altos.

• Selmer Jazz Flow — Selmer's modern jazz-oriented piece with a focused, crisp tone and good flexibility.

For jazz-leaning setups, players sometimes opt for larger-chamber pieces like Otto Link Tone Edge or custom refaced vintage styles to enhance the horn's spread and depth.

Famous Saxophonists

Specific famous alto saxophonists publicly associated with the Reference 36 are less commonly documented than for the tenor version or the related Reference 54 (which draws from the Mark VI and has users like Steve Coleman).

The Reference 36 line (primarily tenor) is popular among jazz pros seeking a smokier, more vintage-inspired sound, but alto examples are rarer in public endorsements. The model has been largely superseded by newer Selmer lines like the Supreme and Signature.

Always test mouthpieces in person if possible, as the best match depends on your embouchure and setup.