Both sound great. I feel like the Conn sounded big but more one directional and flat (not pitch wise, but less spread sounding), whereas the Selmer sounded a little brighter and more spread and to me musically you can push it in more directions. I preferred the Selmer in this video. My favorite tenor sound I’ve played is a Series I Buescher Aristocrat from 1936. In regards to tone it beats my main SBA tenor (I’ve owned 3), my 6 Mark VI’s, King Super 20 full pearls, Selmer Reference 54, Selmer Series III, Yamaha 875ex, and more. I buy and sell horns for fun and the Series I Aristocrat is the most underrated horn in my opinion.
Well played Tim! Interesting comparison where there is a clear difference in how the horns play. The Conn has a slightly darker tone with a bit less bright overtones. The Selmer is a bit more “in your face” so to speak and maybe a tiny bit louder it seems? Selmers tend to project a bit more. Both great.
Really interesting Tim! There is, to my ear, a definite difference. Both horns have different sound qualities. I don't have a preference other than I think I favour the Conn as that is what I play and I love that tone. The Selmer sound from this era is iconic and this is a great example. Great playing!!
I don't think it's that much difference in the market overall. My Radio Improved cost less than 2 times the current resale value of my 10M. Even an SBA will be not much more than 3 times the cost of a good 10M in many cases. I agree Selmers are more expensive, but one of the advantages of a Radio Improved is that it's significantly cheaper than the balanced action models and later. The RI I'm playing here cost me a lot less than the SBAs and Mark VIs I tried alongside it. So yes, there is a difference, but if it's 8 or 9 times the price of a good 40s Conn 10M , then I think the prices are way off for today's market.
I played quite a few VIs alongside both these horns when I was choosing the Selmer. For me, both the 10M and the Radio Improved were much better than 5 of the Mark VIs I tried. One of the, was excellent, but no better... and the RI was considerably cheaper! (The VI was an early 5 digit silver one)
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I think that Conn is underestimated..... specially the Naked Lady 1947 and under (rolled tones) I love that sax!!!
Both sound great. I feel like the Conn sounded big but more one directional and flat (not pitch wise, but less spread sounding), whereas the Selmer sounded a little brighter and more spread and to me musically you can push it in more directions. I preferred the Selmer in this video.
My favorite tenor sound I’ve played is a Series I Buescher Aristocrat from 1936. In regards to tone it beats my main SBA tenor (I’ve owned 3), my 6 Mark VI’s, King Super 20 full pearls, Selmer Reference 54, Selmer Series III, Yamaha 875ex, and more. I buy and sell horns for fun and the Series I Aristocrat is the most underrated horn in my opinion.
What does "spread" mean?
Well played Tim! Interesting comparison where there is a clear difference in how the horns play. The Conn has a slightly darker tone with a bit less bright overtones. The Selmer is a bit more “in your face” so to speak and maybe a tiny bit louder it seems? Selmers tend to project a bit more. Both great.
I agree.
Really interesting Tim! There is, to my ear, a definite difference. Both horns have different sound qualities. I don't have a preference other than I think I favour the Conn as that is what I play and I love that tone. The Selmer sound from this era is iconic and this is a great example. Great playing!!
Thanks Ian. Glad you enjoyed it.
However, the price of the Selmer Radio Improved is 8 to 9 times that of the Conn 10M, which is truly astonishing.
I don't think it's that much difference in the market overall. My Radio Improved cost less than 2 times the current resale value of my 10M. Even an SBA will be not much more than 3 times the cost of a good 10M in many cases. I agree Selmers are more expensive, but one of the advantages of a Radio Improved is that it's significantly cheaper than the balanced action models and later. The RI I'm playing here cost me a lot less than the SBAs and Mark VIs I tried alongside it. So yes, there is a difference, but if it's 8 or 9 times the price of a good 40s Conn 10M , then I think the prices are way off for today's market.
Surprised I liked the Selmer better
He has a more focused sound. Great playing...
Radio > 10
RI != 10M,
I like them both 😎
the Selmer sings...
voting for the conn. would be interesting to compare it to the Mark VI...
I played quite a few VIs alongside both these horns when I was choosing the Selmer. For me, both the 10M and the Radio Improved were much better than 5 of the Mark VIs I tried. One of the, was excellent, but no better... and the RI was considerably cheaper! (The VI was an early 5 digit silver one)
conn 10M !!!!! Nothing comes close. Selmer is an over rated saxophone. They just have good marketing.
I think your conn is a part of your soul.and it sounds better