I purchased the Selmer Axos tenor from Sax UK as an upgrade from my secondhand e bay Yamaha student alto after watching the reviews, I was not disappointed at all. I never played tenor before, I tried it in the shop, I was worried that I would not get a note out of it, and the notes just popped out, clear, smooth and and easy. Fingering felt great, build very erogonomically. I play with Legere signature reeds and they are very easy to play, cane reeds on both my alto and tenor saxes felt like blowing through socks, so it depends on the reeds. My tone has improved 90 percent since I got this Selmer, It is quite flexible, I can play classical, rock and jazz pieces easily. A great tenor horn for any advancing sax players who want a Selmer but do not have the budget.
I’m a Reference 54 tenor player, and I’ve enjoyed your videos for years. You described the Axos as “cheaper.” Nobody wants a cheap horn. I suggest you say inexpensive rather than cheaper. Love your playing.
Inexpensive is also misleading as that is a subjective statement. Inexpensive to one is outrageous to another. Less expensive perhaps would be a replacement for cheaper - but it stands - cheaper is the same as less expensive, a relative statement comparing two things. Perhaps ‘Cheaper’ may imply a stigma of lower quality or not good - but that’s an individualistic thought. And as @gilsontopfstedt3554, the cost is indeed cheaper.
@@gilsontopfstedt3554 I really like the Henri Selmer Paris Brand, and I understand that they want to create instruments to reach all budgets, and especially students, to have the honor and privilege of having contact with this brand from a young age., but, and the components are all made in Paris ??, there won't be many Chinese components, as the Alto I tried weighs about half of my Series 2, because ??? For me , i would consider buying a used Series 2 much more than a new Axos. But here I would like to ask the very valid opinion of luthiers who certainly have a more informed opinion than mine. . thanks.
I've been hesitating between the Yanagisawa TW01 and the Selmer Axos, both being tied as my favorites after testing 4 tenors at a shop (the others being with the Yamaha 62 and a Le Monde). Then I suddenly came across an almost unused second-hand Axos 20% below the best retail price. Given the already better price and the fact you get a good mouthpiece with the Selmer, I decided for the Axos. It's my first "pro" after playing various (rented) student instruments, and I haven't regretted my choice for a moment. It produces a beautiful sound quite easily, has a great action and feels comfortable. Honestly, in this price range and this being entry level pro / intermediate horn, I'd suggest not to hesitate if you like it. Many of the comments here seem to be relevant only if you seek the perfection of the really expensive instruments...
As usual, a great review. I think the horn sounds great. IMO, while the 36 and 54 are truly great horns, they cost the same as a decent used car which is absolutely insane. Same goes for the Mark VI/SBA market, which have been outrageous for some time. At some point, there is a diminishing return that simply isn't worth the cost. This horn, and the other entry levels, at least get us in the ballpark for an excellent horn which is all most of us will ever need. For less than the cost of a new Reference 54 or Supreme, you can get an Axos alto and tenor which will serve you well.
Thanks Jim. Sounds great. You can’t beat a SELMER horn even when their are other good ones out there ! Seasonal greetings to you and your team. God bless you all and best wishes for the New Year. Bill. UK
The Selmer Axos tenor reminds me of the Bundy II(which is under the Selmer company)that I once played for many years. It served me well as an entry level tenor, before I moved up to an intermediate Yamaha tenor saxophone where it had one advantage over the Bundy II; a larger octave key where my thumb was going to touch it even if I didn’t want to use it and it was comfortable. I would say that this horn is good for classical or big band music for the tone. It probably isn’t pricey as a Yanagisawa . It might be priced below or above an intermediate Yamaha tenor. The issue of air pressure is evident in both horns. But reed selection, skill level and preparation is key, as well. It is a very good idea for a customer who is in the process of choosing an instrument to test as many out to make a positive decision. Thanks for the demonstration.
Jim it sounded like you were struggling during the first play test, might be the reed, etc. Your comparison play test was much better however. To my ear the TW01 Yani sounded very even and had much better projection, much brighter than the Selmer. The Selmer had a small amount of stuffiness to it.
12 minutes of Jim politely saying it's a bit naff, sloppy action and hard work to play. This is what I found playing the Alto version of this sax as well.
We all like a good price for a quality instrument from a classic brand, but Selmer seemed to have needlessly doubled the carbon footprint of this horn by shipping it to the other side of the world and back.
+1 ... totally unacceptable, without even talking about the people who will loose their job in Europe. this is a NO GO for me and I can tell you that I am a big Selmer fan since >20 years. Shame on you Selmer.
Another issue: by comparing "a cheap pro Selmer" to a fully pro Yanagisawa, Sax co uk gives an illusion that even Selmer's logo alone can be put on anything and compared with other company's hard work. That's not right. Compare Selmer with "Selmer", and leave others out of Selmer's manipulation of perception.
IMO.. One thing also that usually isn’t considered is the mouthpiece/reed setups. Some horns just work better with different setups.. I got my “perfect sound/resistance” using a cheap budget mouthpiece with my vintage King. Same setup doesn’t work well for my ears on my modern China made tenor. I can get a sound/feel that I like with the Asian made horn with a different mouthpiece setup. Side note..I’ve had a mkVI alto since H.S. (40 plus years). Once played a gig with a guy who had a new Ref 54.Half way through we swapped horns...We both agreed that my VI played better. The Ref 54 seemed a bit stuffy and over resistant..
Is there really a “Selmer sound”? Isn’t the sound made by the mouthpiece, the reed and you? I’m sure it’s a great saxophone, but what are you paying for when upgrading?
I still don't understand how spending a lot of money shipping thousands and thousands of parts to Asia helps to make the Saxo cheaper. They could also use the money spent on shipments to Asia to hire people in France (part-time workers, students maybe o retired people), to assemble to horn in France, right?
I think you underestimate the cost of employing people in France. The wages are probably 1/10th in Asia. Plus in France you have union labor and frequent strikes. They are certainly not shipping things half way around the world and back for their health ;)
@@rhythmculturerecords1017 ah yes, so instead of paying people good wages and giving them good benefits, they generate (literally) tons of waste by shipping materials (literally) around the world to work with corrupt governments to exploit cheap labor?
“Hire part-time workers, students or retired people” to assemble a very complex musical instrument? Seriously? Wonder who would have bought such “instrument”. It takes a long time to acquire an experience and a certain level of expertise that are required to do the job and do it good. At a level you would expect from a company with a rich heritage, such as Selmer is… Answer to your question has a name and is called an “economy of scale”. Not to mention that Asian factories have advanced immensely in the past 20 years and people who work there are very skilled.
By comparing "a cheap pro Selmer" to a fully pro Yanagisawa, Sax co uk gives an illusion that even Selmer's logo alone can be put on anything and compared with other company's hard work. That's not right. Compare Selmer with "Selmer", and leave others out of Selmer's manipulation of perception.
I purchased the Selmer Axos tenor from Sax UK as an upgrade from my secondhand e bay Yamaha student alto after watching the reviews, I was not disappointed at all. I never played tenor before, I tried it in the shop, I was worried that I would not get a note out of it, and the notes just popped out, clear, smooth and and easy. Fingering felt great, build very erogonomically. I play with Legere signature reeds and they are very easy to play, cane reeds on both my alto and tenor saxes felt like blowing through socks, so it depends on the reeds. My tone has improved 90 percent since I got this Selmer, It is quite flexible, I can play classical, rock and jazz pieces easily. A great tenor horn for any advancing sax players who want a Selmer but do not have the budget.
I’m a Reference 54 tenor player, and I’ve enjoyed your videos for years. You described the Axos as “cheaper.” Nobody wants a cheap horn. I suggest you say inexpensive rather than cheaper. Love your playing.
but it is "cheaper"... is a Selmer Paris... and therefore... many players who can`t afford for the best models, will go for it. I am considering.
Inexpensive is also misleading as that is a subjective statement. Inexpensive to one is outrageous to another. Less expensive perhaps would be a replacement for cheaper - but it stands - cheaper is the same as less expensive, a relative statement comparing two things. Perhaps ‘Cheaper’ may imply a stigma of lower quality or not good - but that’s an individualistic thought.
And as @gilsontopfstedt3554, the cost is indeed cheaper.
@@gilsontopfstedt3554 I really like the Henri Selmer Paris Brand, and I understand that they want to create instruments to reach all budgets, and especially students, to have the honor and privilege of having contact with this brand from a young age., but, and the components are all made in Paris ??, there won't be many Chinese components, as the Alto I tried weighs about half of my Series 2, because ???
For me , i would consider buying a used Series 2 much more than a new Axos.
But here I would like to ask the very valid opinion of luthiers who certainly have a more informed opinion than mine. . thanks.
I've been hesitating between the Yanagisawa TW01 and the Selmer Axos, both being tied as my favorites after testing 4 tenors at a shop (the others being with the Yamaha 62 and a Le Monde). Then I suddenly came across an almost unused second-hand Axos 20% below the best retail price. Given the already better price and the fact you get a good mouthpiece with the Selmer, I decided for the Axos. It's my first "pro" after playing various (rented) student instruments, and I haven't regretted my choice for a moment. It produces a beautiful sound quite easily, has a great action and feels comfortable.
Honestly, in this price range and this being entry level pro / intermediate horn, I'd suggest not to hesitate if you like it. Many of the comments here seem to be relevant only if you seek the perfection of the really expensive instruments...
Ive had both of them axos is better
As usual, a great review. I think the horn sounds great. IMO, while the 36 and 54 are truly great horns, they cost the same as a decent used car which is absolutely insane. Same goes for the Mark VI/SBA market, which have been outrageous for some time. At some point, there is a diminishing return that simply isn't worth the cost. This horn, and the other entry levels, at least get us in the ballpark for an excellent horn which is all most of us will ever need. For less than the cost of a new Reference 54 or Supreme, you can get an Axos alto and tenor which will serve you well.
Now the used car and new car market are up lol
Thanks Jim. Sounds great. You can’t beat a SELMER horn even when their are other good ones out there ! Seasonal greetings to you and your team. God bless you all and best wishes for the New Year. Bill. UK
The Selmer Axos tenor reminds me of the Bundy II(which is under the Selmer company)that I once played for many years. It served me well as an entry level tenor, before I moved up to an intermediate Yamaha tenor saxophone where it had one advantage over the Bundy II; a larger octave key where my thumb was going to touch it even if I didn’t want to use it and it was comfortable.
I would say that this horn is good for classical or big band music for the tone. It probably isn’t pricey as a Yanagisawa . It might be priced below or above an intermediate Yamaha tenor.
The issue of air pressure is evident in both horns. But reed selection, skill level and preparation is key, as well.
It is a very good idea for a customer who is in the process of choosing an instrument to test as many out to make a positive decision.
Thanks for the demonstration.
"It probably isn’t pricey as a Yanagisawa." It's $500 more than the Yani TW-01.
Jim it sounded like you were struggling during the first play test, might be the reed, etc. Your comparison play test was much better however. To my ear the TW01 Yani sounded very even and had much better projection, much brighter than the Selmer. The Selmer had a small amount of stuffiness to it.
Thanks a lot for the review. I agree with some folks here - the Yani sounds better, and it looks like it is less of a struggle to play. )
Hi here to support you
12 minutes of Jim politely saying it's a bit naff, sloppy action and hard work to play. This is what I found playing the Alto version of this sax as well.
LOL. An interesting interpretation that may not be far off...
two1 all day long
The Axos will sell very wdll nice deep sound .
We all like a good price for a quality instrument from a classic brand, but Selmer seemed to have needlessly doubled the carbon footprint of this horn by shipping it to the other side of the world and back.
Totally agree!
+1 ... totally unacceptable, without even talking about the people who will loose their job in Europe. this is a NO GO for me and I can tell you that I am a big Selmer fan since >20 years. Shame on you Selmer.
Another issue: by comparing "a cheap pro Selmer" to a fully pro Yanagisawa, Sax co uk gives an illusion that even Selmer's logo alone can be put on anything and compared with other company's hard work. That's not right. Compare Selmer with "Selmer", and leave others out of Selmer's manipulation of perception.
It's OK. Parisians eat meat from flatulent cows and lambs. Rice, not so much.
@@marcvandeneynden What have you got against Asians? Ever been to Paris?
I’ll take my 62 iii ☺️
I wish I could find a side by side play test comparison of the axos tenor and a reference 36 or 54, maybe even a series ii.
A little easier grabbing those low notes on the Yani, huh?
That TWO1 blew the Axos out of the water.
Making Selmer Paris Axos Bari might sweet the market for affordable bari from a reputable maker if the price can compete with P Mauriat PMB 300
Buenos dias
Entre un saxo NUEVO Selmer Axos y un yamaha YTZ 62 cual me recomendarian comprar y los motivos,gracias
The Selmer sounds better for me, I can hear the Traditional Jazzy sound assotiated with Selmer.
Yany doesn't have a complex sound for me.
IMO.. One thing also that usually isn’t considered is the mouthpiece/reed setups. Some horns just work better with different setups.. I got my “perfect sound/resistance” using a cheap budget mouthpiece with my vintage King. Same setup doesn’t work well for my ears on my modern China made tenor. I can get a sound/feel that I like with the Asian made horn with a different mouthpiece setup. Side note..I’ve had a mkVI alto since H.S. (40 plus years). Once played a gig with a guy who had a new Ref 54.Half way through we swapped horns...We both agreed that my VI played better. The Ref 54 seemed a bit stuffy and over resistant..
How is the quality control for the few you have seen? I've had issues with the Axos Alto and Tenor i've tried.
Is there really a “Selmer sound”? Isn’t the sound made by the mouthpiece, the reed and you? I’m sure it’s a great saxophone, but what are you paying for when upgrading?
Yanagisawa!!!!!!!
when compared to the signature raw xs which is more comfortable in terms of ergonomics?
Really needed a softer reed for the Axos tenor lower register suffered .
Lindo sax tenor... adotava ter um, quem sabe... as vezes pode haver algum em promoção, e poder comprar...
Prefiro um serie 2 usado...
Os graves deste sax, continuam a nao me convencer, paralelamentecaoscdo mesmo modelo alto, que pesa metade do meu serie 2...
L'excellence française...
Jim is made in Paris or China
Does it say “Assembled in Asia” on the back?
NO! My Altos was made in France!
seems that axos tenor could be an alternate to me as I don't own a modern one.😂
I still don't understand how spending a lot of money shipping thousands and thousands of parts to Asia helps to make the Saxo cheaper. They could also use the money spent on shipments to Asia to hire people in France (part-time workers, students maybe o retired people), to assemble to horn in France, right?
I think you underestimate the cost of employing people in France. The wages are probably 1/10th in Asia. Plus in France you have union labor and frequent strikes. They are certainly not shipping things half way around the world and back for their health ;)
@@rhythmculturerecords1017 ah yes, so instead of paying people good wages and giving them good benefits, they generate (literally) tons of waste by shipping materials (literally) around the world to work with corrupt governments to exploit cheap labor?
“Hire part-time workers, students or retired people” to assemble a very complex musical instrument? Seriously? Wonder who would have bought such “instrument”. It takes a long time to acquire an experience and a certain level of expertise that are required to do the job and do it good. At a level you would expect from a company with a rich heritage, such as Selmer is… Answer to your question has a name and is called an “economy of scale”. Not to mention that Asian factories have advanced immensely in the past 20 years and people who work there are very skilled.
Yani sings
YANNY!!!!!!
Just a sniff under $5grand cnd
sounds the same!!
I won't tolk with you sr.im sri lankan people
By comparing "a cheap pro Selmer" to a fully pro Yanagisawa, Sax co uk gives an illusion that even Selmer's logo alone can be put on anything and compared with other company's hard work. That's not right. Compare Selmer with "Selmer", and leave others out of Selmer's manipulation of perception.