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The One and Only Tenor Supreme





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Henri Selmer Paris defined the modern saxophone with iconic designs like the Balanced Action, the Mark Vi, the Super Action 80 Series II, the Series III, and the Reference. Wouldn’t it be incredible to play a tenor sax that incorporates all the best qualities of those legendary instruments ? and surpasses them in every way? In 2022, Henri Selmer Paris introduced the Model 92 Supreme Alto, an instrument that checked all those boxes. Now, once again advancing the state of the art in saxophone acoustics, mechanism design, ergonomics, and aesthetics, Selmer Paris expands the Supreme range with the Model 94 Tenor Supreme, which takes its place alongside the alto as the company’s flagship horns. Like its stablemate, the Tenor Supreme is not simply a best-of-the-classics instrument. While proudly embracing its ties to the past, the Henri Selmer Paris 94 Supreme tenor saxophone has been insightfully conceived as a superlative delivery vehicle for the music of today and tomorrow.





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A century of saxophone design expertise comes to bear





The 94 Tenor Supreme saxophone is the end product of an arduous 12-year development program during which Selmer Paris canvassed their key artists on their favorite characteristics of Selmer’s historical benchmark instruments. “Supreme” may be a nod to jazz legend John Coltrane’s mythical album, but the glorious timbral richness pouring from this flawless instrument makes it perfectly suited to all musical styles. Indeed, dozens of tenor players from all genres took part in numerous trials to determine the fundamental design elements that would go into the Tenor Supreme. The instrument’s name also references its uncanny ability to transcend musical styles, as the Supreme erases the physical constraints of traditional saxophone design, connecting the player directly and immediately to the sound. Players who double on both horns know that the tenor is not simply a larger alto. With the Tenor Supreme, Henri Selmer Paris redefines the modern identity of the tenor saxophone as an instrument unto itself.





High tech meets traditional handcraftsmanship





Saxophones are marvels of complexity, and a successful design resides comfortably at the nexus of the acoustic, the mechanical, and the aesthetic ? the end result of thousands of decisions. Surely, a considerable amount of information to distill into a design brief for a new horn; however, Selmer Paris, drawing on their century of expertise, met the challenge by integrating the advantages of advanced technology with traditional handcraftsmanship. In the development of the 94 Tenor Supreme, high-tech R&D ? including in-house 3D modeling ? enabled Selmer to push the physical limitations of the relationship between tuning, timbre, and response, thus optimizing production for an extreme level of precision in executing critical details such as tone hole extrusion and neck diameter boring. During the manufacturing of the final design, automated control over machining tools was implemented, and 3D scanning was employed at various points in the process to eliminate inconsistencies from instrument to instrument. At the end of the process, Selmer’s comprehensive three-dimensional manufacturing check and meticulous factory setup ensure that the horn is absolutely purring straight out of the box. The results are nothing less than sumptuous: the Selmer Paris 94 Tenor Supreme is truly a magnificent instrument that raises the bar for modern professional tenor saxophones.





The tenor saxophone, remastered





The 94 Tenor Supreme represents a pivotal moment in saxophone evolution. Its stunning finish and timeless ornamentation harken back to Selmer’s mid-century classic tenors ? and so does its richly opulent sound. Isolating and combining the best-loved characteristics of those coveted historical horns, including the flexibility of expression and sensation of lightness, Selmer Paris set out to re-engineer the physics, ergonomics, and aesthetics of their new instrument. Acoustically, the Tenor Supreme’s newly tooled, elongated bell shape optimizes intonation and the production of low notes, while a new neck bore taper with increased entrance and exit diameters provides greater projection and fuller sound while improving timbre, the intonation of octaves, and overall response. The diameters and locations of tone holes have also been modified for improved timbre and intonation. The treated leather pads are fitted with rivetless metal resonators, adding the perfect amount of brightness to your every note. The Selmer Paris 94 Tenor Supreme is an ideal horn for soloists. Fed by an optimal mouthpiece and reed setup for the music at hand, it delivers a big, commanding sound that’s broad, vibrant, and burnished to perfection.





Genius in the details





As befitting a Henri Selmer Paris flagship instrument, the design of the Model 94 Tenor Supreme leverages the substantial resources of a company that has defined the modern saxophone. Virtually every aspect of the tenor saxophone has been painstakingly re-examined and expertly optimized, all while remaining true to the rich heritage that inspires all professional Selmer horns. For instance, the Tenor Supreme neck receiver socket is fitted with a 3-point concentric clamp and adjustable nickel silver tightening ring, which provides a more robust and user-friendly neck-body connection. Selmer’s exhaustive attention to detail even extends to the minutia, as evidenced by the repositioned strap ring that optimizes equilibrium for a comfortable, balanced playing experience, whether standing or seated. These enhancements and more make the Henri Selmer Paris 94 Tenor Supreme a saxophone that is remarkably natural and easy to play. Everything falls intuitively under the fingers in a free-blowing design that faithfully voices your musical intent with rich expressiveness.





Ergonomically flawless keywork





The Selmer Paris Tenor Supreme benefits from a keywork design overhaul, ensuring confident, accurate fingering that will enhance the performance of challenging passages. To that end, the overall keywork course has been reduced for increased speed and economy of motion; the key heights have been optimized for light, fluid action; and the shapes and placements of the side keys have been redesigned to facilitate smooth movement from one to the other. The springs have also been rebalanced for more fluid action. Selmer tweaked the regulation by including a direct adjustment arm between the right-hand F and F# keys. A shorter-action octave key mechanism uses Teflon in the sockets for smooth actuation. A hinged toggle on the left-hand pinky table keys gives you greater ease of movement from one key to another. With the Tenor Supreme, you’ll delight in a horn that simply works perfectly and responds immediately with a suppleness that allows you to easily play on pitch without the need for fingering correction.





Supreme aesthetics, handcrafted in France





One cannot gaze upon the sleek lines, softened angles, and elegant mother-of-pearl key touches of the 94 Tenor Supreme and not be enthralled by its jaw-dropping visuals. From its luxurious finish to the exclusive, delicately detailed engraving that runs from the bell all the way up to the neck join, there is, quite literally, nothing like the Supreme. The engraving design evokes the genesis of its sound in a lyrical dance of the traditional floral, with cubes representing the structure of the metal molecules swirling together in an explosion symbolizing the projection of air, motion, and speed. The planetary disc in the background suggests the concept of infinite space. The Supreme is certainly a fitting instrument to mark a century of Selmer saxophone design. It possesses all the beloved qualities of the cherished models that preceded it, satisfying the desires of contemporary professional saxophonists. It transcends musical genres with its superbly balanced accuracy, infinite range of tonal colors, and poised ease of response. Its timbral roundness and powerful projection make it an instrument that is at once undeniably classic and decisively modern. Bottom line: the Selmer Paris 94 Tenor Supreme is an exquisitely designed professional saxophone that will nurture and advance your continuing development as an artist.





A complete package with premium accessories





A complete package, The Henri Selmer Paris Tenor Supreme comes with premium accessories that befit the horn’s extreme level of sophistication. The Selmer Paris Concept tenor mouthpiece is crafted using cutting-edge fabrication technology. Its refined, innovative, high-precision acoustic design provides expressive dexterity, sonic richness, and homogeneity across all registers. A matching mouthpiece cap and ligature are also included. The sleek hardshell case, which features a rugged ABS outer shell, is fabricated specifically for the Tenor Supreme by Selmer’s partner, BAM. Despite its compact dimensions, this high-end case boasts ample storage space and two detachable inside pockets. It is fitted with durable handles and backpack-style straps that facilitate comfortable carrying. The included neck strap is made from cushy, leather-covered foam with a gilded metal slider featuring the Henri Selmer Paris logo. A dual-material cloth in the shape of the case is fashioned from soft silk on one side and microfiber on the other. It covers your Tenor Supreme inside its case, providing maximum protection for your horn. The microfiber body swab has a highly absorbent foam pad in the center for extra absorbency and is graced with the Supreme engraving motif. The microfiber neck swab and even the included cork grease stick are emblazoned with the Supreme engraving pattern! And as you might expect, your Tenor Supreme comes with a metal end plug included to protect the neck receiver and octave mechanism.





The Selmer legacy of quality and innovation





As all modern saxophone designs are based on the Selmer platform, it’s instructive to take a look at the company’s history to understand its considerable influence on the instrument as we know it today. Conservatory-trained clarinetist Henri Selmer founded Henri Selmer Paris in 1885. Fashioning reeds and mouthpieces in his small workshop, he soon took on instrument repair and modifications, which eventually led to the design and manufacture of clarinets. In 1900, Selmer opened a retail shop in New York (the beginnings of Selmer USA). In 1942, Selmer introduced its first saxophone: the Model 22. In the ensuing decades, Selmer released industry-leading designs such as the Balanced Action, Super Action, Mark VI, and Reference 54, which have set the standard for what a modern saxophone should be. Listen to any iconic jazz recording by John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Paul Desmond, (late period) Cannonball Adderley, Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker, Branford Marsalis, or Joshua Redman, and you will hear one of these legendary horns in action. Delivering exceptional value at every level, from student to professional, Selmer USA and Henri Selmer Paris offer a full line of woodwind and brass instruments. Sweetwater is proud to bring you Selmer’s rich legacy of quality and innovation.





Selmer Paris 94 Tenor Supreme Saxophone Features:


Octave key system uses Teflon in the sockets for smooth actuation


Neck receiver with 3-point concentric clamping socket and adjustable nickel silver socket clamping ring


Direct adjustment arm between the right-hand F# and F keys


Redesigned shapes and placements of the side keys


Range: low Bb to High F#


Leather pads with rivetless metal resonators


Metal thumb rests


Left-hand pinky table keys with hinged toggle


Right-hand F#/F direct adjustment arm


Mother-of-pearl key touches


Exclusive Supreme engraving


Concept tenor mouthpiece included


Exclusively designed Tenor Supreme case


Includes hardshell case, mouthpiece with ligature and cap, neck strap, silk/microfiber cloth, body and neck swabs, cork grease, and end plug


Handcrafted in France