Maison SELMER

Supreme Alto Saxophone, the new era

Saxophone Alto Supreme, la nouvelle ère
After 100 years of innovation, design, and manufacturing of the saxophone, Henri SELMER Paris redefines the modern identity of the alto saxophone with the SUPREME. The creation of the Supreme embodies the culmination of centuries of expertise, combined with a perfectly mastered manufacturing process that lives up to the ambitions of the SELMER company.

The culmination of one century of expertise

Eight years ago, we set ourselves a challenge: to design the best saxophone ever made. A saxophone that would rise above musical genres. A saxophone adapted to all kinds of music, playing styles and sound types. A saxophone whose ease and evidence of playing would induce a direct and immediate relationship to sound.

To better free themselves from musical genres and imagine the universal instrument, a team of saxophone testers of various genres was formed. No acoustic, mechanical, ergonomic, nor aesthetic detail was neglected.

Today, we are very proud to present the result of our research, the culmination of a hundred years of expertise, an instrument unanimously acclaimed by a very diverse team: the Supreme alto saxophone.

 

Ease and evidence of playing

The Supreme has all the qualities common to the models that preceded it, meeting the desires of all saxophonist profiles:  beauty and care in the creation of the Balanced Action, the legendary suppleness of the Mark VI, the ease of the Super Action 80 Series II, the precision and elegance of the Series III, and the power and roundness of the Reference.

Supreme alto saxophone

It is characterized by a perfectly balanced tuning, infinite sound colors, and a great ease of response.  Its roundness and projection capacity make it an instrument that is both traditional and resolutely modern.

Offering unprecedented flexibility and ease of playing, it pushes the limits of playing by erasing the natural constraints inherent to the saxophone, allowing musicians to focus on the essential: the music, their creativity, their inspiration.

 

Technical characteristics


Key: Eb
Range: low Bb to high F#
Correction mechanism for the middle and high C#
Leather pads with rivetless metal resonators
Metal thumb rests
3-point concentric clamping socket
Adjustable nickel silver clamping ring

Left-hand pinky finger keys with hinged toggle
Right-hand F#/F direct adjustment arm
New exclusive SUPREME engraving
New exclusive SUPREME Dark Gold Lacquer finish
Concept alto mouthpiece
Exclusively designed alto SUPREME case
Details alto Supreme

 

Acoustics

In-house research has enabled us to push back the physical limits of the compromise between tuning, timbre and response:

  • A new neck bore to improve the intonation of the octaves, the timbre and the general response.
  • Redefinition of the key heights for a greater homogeneity of timbre.
  • Reduction of the diameter of the low Bb and B key cups.
  • Redesigned tone holes in terms of diameter and location for a greater homogeneity of timbre.
  • A new bell that improves the intonation and low notes production.

Design Supreme

 

Mechanics and ergonomics

Numerous innovations have also made it possible to optimize the ergonomics and mechanics of the instrument, contributing to an unprecedented enjoyment and ease of playing.

  • 3-point concentric clamp for a better neck-to-body connection avoiding deformations of the clamp and tenon.
  • The clamping ring of the socket is made of nickel silver, which brings density to this sensitive area. It is dissociated from the socket, which makes it possible to adjust its position.
  • Direct arm between the right-hand F# and F keys allows for a finer and more reliable adjustment.
  • Octave key system with Teflon inside the sockets which lighten the action. It also limits play, noise, and wear.
  • Lightening of the C# correction system by repositioning the double tone hole.
  • Hinged toggle on left hand pinky finger keys allows for greater ease of movement from one key to another.
  • New front F key design that is more easily accessible.
  • Redesigned shapes and placements of the side keys, facilitating fluid passage from one to the other.
  • Shorter action of the right-hand pinky spatula keys (C/Eb).
  • Shorter action of the octave key.
  • Realignment of the height of the left-hand mother-of-pearl keys offering a more natural finger position.
  • Use of rollers within key mechanism for greater fluidity.
Details Supreme alto

 

Aesthetics

The global aesthetics of the Supreme has been reconsidered. It evokes  fluidity of play through sleek lines and roundness through the softening of angles. All key guards (low B and Bb, side F#, Eb, C, and the pant guard) and the bow reinforcement have been redesigned in harmony with the instrument.

The warm hue of the Dark Gold lacquer is reminiscent of the finish used since the 1940s.

Supreme gravure

The engraving is always a strong element for the identity of a saxophone. The Supreme engraving evokes a sense of universality. The genesis of the sound is embodied in the explosion mixing the plant design, a traditional SELMER engraving, with the cubes illustrating the structure of the metal molecules. The cloud caused by this birth, evokes the projection of air, movement, speed, and life. A disc in the background evokes a planet, echoing the notion of infinite space.

 

Included accessories

The Supreme Alto Saxophone comes with a Concept mouthpiece and a set of accessories designed specifically for it.

Accessoires alto Supreme
  • Supreme Alto saxophone case

Exclusively designed case realized specifically for the Supreme by our partner, BAM. Compact in size, it offers a large storage space and two detachable interior pockets. The straps provide great comfort when worn on the back. The night blue ABS shell is reminiscent of the color of the "S" featured on the key of the saxophone neck.

  • Concept mouthpiece

With an innovative and refined design, the Concept mouthpiece is made using the latest  manufacturing technologies. Combining ease, richness of sound, and a great uniformity across all playing registers, the Concept is a model of detailed acoustic precision. Ligature and cap are included.

  • Supreme neck strap

Foam and leather neck band. Gold metal slider in the shape of the Henri SELMER Paris logo marked black.

  • Silk/Microfibers cloth

A bi-material cloth made to the shape of the case:  one side microfiber marked with the Supreme engraving pattern and the other side silk.  It is placed on the instrument in the case to ensure maximum protection of your saxophone.

  • Body swab

Round in shape, marked with the engraving pattern of the Supreme, this microfiber swab has at its center a thick absorbent foam for the most efficient cleaning process. 

  • Neck swab

This swab is made of microfiber cloth, marked with the Supreme engraving pattern.

  • Cork grease

The grease stick is marked with the Supreme engraving pattern.

 

 
 Testimonials

 

 

Claude Delangle
«This jewel of French craftsmanship reveals the authentic acoustics of the saxophone, finally transparent to the multiple musical genres that call for it. Its capabilities reveal a level of synthesis never attained before.»

 

Claude Delangle, France

 

 

Timothy McAllister
«The Supreme is the new generation of saxophone for the 21st century musician. Inspired by the great achievements of the previous models and integrating the most innovative construction techniques, this instrument is simply a dream.»

 

Timothy McAllister, USA

 

 

Baptiste Herbin
«The new SELMER Supreme saxophone combines the sound of its legendary models with the technical and innovative modernity that makes it a great instrument with an incomparable and irreproachable quality. Selmer continues to write its legend.»

 

Baptiste Herbin, France

 

 

Antonio Felipe Belijar
«A saxophone of great spontaneity that recalls the most emblematic old models, while obtaining the timbre of the best saxophones of the brand. It is a pleasure to enjoy the most advanced and universal saxophone, which bears the signature of a new Supreme era.»

 

 Antonio Felipe Belijar, Espagne

 

 

Vincent David
«2 words:  Sublime and luminous. Sublime because it is the perfect balance of an incredible sound with a modern and efficient mechanism.  Luminous because its flexibility allows for all colors and playing styles - always with class.»

 

Vincent David, France

 

 

Miguel Zenón

 

«Truly excited about the Supreme Alto from Selmer. Beautiful sounding horn, easy to play and really balanced from top to bottom. Looking forward to playing it more!»

Miguel Zenón, Porto Rico

 

 

Philippe Geiss

«It is a pure delight to rediscover every day the qualities of this new instrument, the warmth and richness of its sound, its remarkable accuracy, the refinement of its subtly balanced timbres and its beautiful versatility

 

Philippe Geiss, France

 

 

Patrick Bourgoin

 

 

«SELMER : Sublime. Supreme.»

 Patrick Bourgoin, France

 

 

Rosario Giuliani
«Compact and high quality of sound, richness in harmonic, and intonation. It’s also incredibly homogeneous from the bottom to the high register. It’s truly an amazing horn!»

 

Rosario Giuliani, Italie

 

 

Christian Wirth

 

 

«The intonation, the sound, the ergonomics, the flexibility of play: the Supreme is just an evidence!»

Christian Wirth, France

 

 

Jaleel Shaw
«Selmer Saxophones have always given me the flexibility and depth I’ve needed to express myself in my music. The Supreme is an exceptional saxophone with a balanced, warm tone that gives me the freedom to continue to create and explore my sound.»

 

Jaleel Shaw, USA

 

 

Denis Guivarc'h
«A very pleasant saxophone to play with a balanced and very responsive mechanism. It is really at the service of the musician and very easy to understand. I also appreciate its clear, powerful, and very atypical sound that is not limited to a precise aesthetic style

 

Denis Guivarc'h, France

 

 

Nikita Zimin

 

 

«Supreme is my choice!»

Nikita Zimin, Russie

 

 

Pierrick Pédron

 

 

«The Reference at SELMER is now called the “SUPREME". Perfection!»

Pierrick Pédron, France

 


Photo credit : David Meignan

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