Baritone Saxophone Comparison: 1959 Low A Selmer Mark VI vs Low Bb 1952 Selmer SBA vs 1932 Conn 12M

Hey everyone, this is a video show the differences in tone between a 1959 Selmer Mark VI low A baritone, Low Bb Selmer Super Action (SBA), and a 1932 Conn 12M. Each are fantastic horns, although the tone is more open to my ears with the Low Bb SBA and Conn 12M. I still believe that the Selmer Mark VI is the best (or one of) low A baritones available. I have been asked many times over the years why I prefer (and many of my baritone friends) prefer low Bb horns. The answer is that the response feels better to me and the horn reacts quicker on a Low Bb. I heard a friend say "If a Low A makes the saxophone sound better, then why didn't the Low A alto catch on..."

What sounds best to you? Can you hear any differences between the horns?

I am playing a Fred Lebayle "Rosie" 10 baritone mouthpiece, and D'Adario Select 3M reeds, and a Silverstein Estro ligature.

I used two microphones, a Neumann U87 and an AKG C414 XLII with no eq or reverb.

00:00 Intro
02:40 Selmer Mark VI (Low A)
04:41 Selmer SBA
06:35 Conn 12M

The opening music in the video is from an album I will be releasing in Spring 2024 featuring the music of Ellington and Strayhorn played by a quartet plus woodwind orchestra.

Dr. Brian Landrus is an Artist for Selmer Paris saxophones and Clarinets, Silverstein Ligatures, & D'Adario Reeds. Landrus is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music.

BrianLandrus.com