Selmer Supreme - Antiqued Lacquer - Tenor Sax

Product Information

The Selmer Supreme Tenor Saxophone has arrived 2 years after the introduction of the Supreme Alto. After over 100 years of history, the Selmer brand is propelled into a new generation with these Supreme Saxophones. This is the antiqued lacquer finish which really accentuates the stunning engraving on these instruments.

The new Supreme Tenor Sax has been designed to surpass the flexibility and sensation of lightness found in the best vintage Selmer Saxophones. This new model benefits from modern advances in tuning and response. It's finally arrived and is ready to take up its position at the top of the professional Saxophone market.

The Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax Story

Following the success of the Supreme Alto it was only a matter of time before the Tenor Supreme entered the market. However, what's most interesting is that Selmer have not just re-purposed the Alto design for Tenor, rather they have approached this Tenor design as a new project to be sensitive to what a 'great' Tenor should play and feel like. In fact, the project to design the Tenor began before the Alto, it started 12 years ago!

The name Supreme pays homage to John Coltrane (and his album 'A Love Supreme'). Dozens of specialist tenor players of all musical genres around the world have participated in the various trials to determine the fundamental direction of this instrument. It has resulted in an instrument that is both powerful and extremely flexible and responsive. It has a huge dynamic range from the quietest whisper to the loudest roar.

Technical Developments

1. Acoustics: 

The sound of the Supreme has been designed to offer a perfect balanced between roundness and rich sonority. It has unprecedented flexibly across the whole range and a broad projection. Technical changes to facilitate these aspects have been:

• A brand new neck bore design with larger entrance and exit diameters for more projection and a fuller tone
• Modified tone hole diameters for accurate intonation
• Elongated bell for a more precisely pitched and generous lower register
• Newly defined body vent for optimal speaking
• Reduced key diameter to 'free up' the tone holes and optimise the timbre
• Reduced keywork weight to help increase finger speed and dexterity
• Premium leather pads with rivet-free metal resonator

2. Ergonomics & Mechanics:

There have been many changes and modifications to the standard Selmer key layout principles of years gone by:

• 3-point concentric clamp for a better neck-to-body connection
• This clamp is made of nickel silver to add density to this important nodal point of the Saxophone
• The clamp is disassociated from the socket which makes it possible to adjust its position
• Direct arm between the right hand F# and F keys for a finer adjustment
• Octave key system includes Teflon inside for longer durability
• Hinged toggle on left hand pinky finger keys for greater ease of movement between each key
• Repositioned strap ring for better overall equilibrium
• Re-designed right hand side keys for smoother transition

3. Aesthetics:

Yes these elements are 'just for show' but it's the fine details that have always set Selmer apart.

• Finished in a dark gold lacquer akin to vintage models
• Newly designed key guards
• New bow reinforcement section
• Beautiful new engraving on bell and sections of body
• Exclusively designed case by specialists BAM

Each Selmer Supreme comes complete with a case, concept mouthpiece (lig & cap), leather neck strap and special silk/microfiber cloth for cleaning the outside. Selmer also include a body swab, neck swab and cork grease.

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax - Testimonials

"I have been playing Selmer Saxophones my whole life. I have been waiting for Selmer to make a new horn that rivals the old instruments. I believe the Tenor Supreme has that. It plays better than my Super Balanced Action. The Tenor Supreme has a lot of power, with effortless feel in the keys...It plays even in all the registers with a beautiful tone". -  RAVI COLTRANE

"I started playing the Tenor Supreme and immediately the sound of the horn was amazing. It can play any kind of music in any range. It reminds me of the old horns." - BRANFORD MARSALIS

"The Tenor Supreme has those things that are important to me. It has a nice bark when you lay into it, it doesn't feel like it fizzles out. It's similar to my old Mark VI or to my Super Balanced Action." - CHRIS POTTER