What makes the S90 different from the S80?

While both are based on similar design principles, the S90 is engineered for greater stability and a slightly more direct response. It is often described as a more modern interpretation of the classic Selmer sound compared to the S80.

Is the Selmer S90 190 suitable for beginners?

It is typically recommended as a 'first professional mouthpiece' for advancing students rather than absolute beginners. Its precision requires a basic level of embouchure development to fully appreciate the tonal benefits.

What instrument is the S90 190 designed for?

This specific model is designed for the soprano saxophone. Selmer produces S90 models for other saxophones, but the dimensions and facing of this model are soprano-specific.

How is the S90 manufactured?

The mouthpiece is expertly milled from hard rubber and then finished by hand by craftsmen at Selmer Paris. This combination of machine precision and manual finishing ensures high levels of consistency.

What is the typical price for an S90 190?

The typical price for this mouthpiece is approximately GBP 137. This places it in the mid-to-high range of professional soprano saxophone mouthpieces.

Can I use this mouthpiece for jazz?

While it is primarily used for classical and contemporary concert music, its stability makes it a versatile tool. However, jazz players often prefer mouthpieces with larger tip openings or different chamber shapes for more 'edge' or projection.

Does the S90 190 come with a ligature and cap?

Typically, Selmer Paris mouthpieces are sold as the mouthpiece only. Players often pair them with accessories like the Rovner 3RL Dark or Vandoren Cuir leather ligatures.

Why is the S90 190 used for testing instruments?

It has become a benchmark for mouthpiece testing because of its extreme reliability and neutral, stable response. This allows the player to hear the true characteristics of the saxophone itself.

What does the '190' number signify?

The 190 represents the tip opening measurement. In the S90 range, this provides a moderate opening that balances ease of blowing with enough resistance to control the soprano sax's intonation.

Which reeds are compatible with the S90 190?

It works well with high-quality reeds such as D'Addario Organic Select Jazz or Vandoren Java. Most players find that a medium-strength reed complements the 190 tip opening well.

Is the S90 190 stable in all registers?

Yes, it is marketed as the most stable and reliable mouthpiece in Selmer's lineup. It is designed to enhance every aspect of the player's tone across the entire range of the instrument.

Who are some famous users of the Selmer S90?

The S90 is played by famous musicians all over the world, particularly within the classical saxophone community. It is a standard choice for conservatory students and orchestral professionals alike.

Gear article

Selmer Paris S90 Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece (190)

The Selmer Paris S90 is a professional-grade soprano saxophone mouthpiece known for its stability and reliability in classical and contemporary settings. Based on the design lineage of the S80, it is frequently recommended by educators as a primary professional upgrade due to its precision-milled construction and balanced tonal response.

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Overview and History

The Selmer Paris S90 series represents a modern evolution in mouthpiece design from the celebrated French manufacturer Henri Selmer Paris. Building upon the success of the illustrious S80 model, the S90 was developed to provide a versatile, stable platform for soprano saxophonists.

Historically, Selmer mouthpieces have served as the industry standard for classical woodwind players. The S90 is specifically marketed as a 'one-stop-shop' solution, designed to meet the demands of various performance environments without requiring specialized gear changes.

Design and Construction

Each S90 mouthpiece is expertly milled from high-quality hard rubber and finished by hand in France. The '190' designation refers to the specific tip opening, which provides a moderate level of resistance suitable for controlled playing. Unlike some jazz-oriented alternatives, the internal geometry of the S90 focuses on providing a secure and consistent response across all registers of the soprano saxophone.

Tonal Character

The S90 is widely regarded as the most stable and reliable mouthpiece in the Selmer catalogue. Its sound is characterized by a focused, centered tone that enhances clarity. Because of its balanced profile, it is frequently used as the benchmark for testing saxophones, as it does not overly colour the natural sound of the instrument. The 190 tip opening specifically allows for a round, flexible tone that remains homogeneous from the bottom to the top of the range.

Target Audience

Teachers and professional musicians frequently recommend the S90 190 as a student's 'first professional mouthpiece.' Its ease of response makes it accessible for advancing players, while its tonal sophistication satisfies the requirements of orchestral and chamber musicians globally. It is particularly suited to those who require a dependable tool that performs consistently under different acoustic conditions.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to student-level models like the Yamaha 5C, the S90 offers significantly more depth of tone and refined hand-finishing. In contrast to high-baffle jazz mouthpieces like the JodyJazz Super Jet, the S90 provides a darker, more traditional sound profile. While it shares design DNA with the Selmer S80, the S90 is often cited for its increased stability and slightly more direct response.

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Frequently asked questions

What makes the S90 different from the S80?: While both are based on similar design principles, the S90 is engineered for greater stability and a slightly more direct response. It is often described as a more modern interpretation of the classic Selmer sound compared to the S80.
Is the Selmer S90 190 suitable for beginners?: It is typically recommended as a 'first professional mouthpiece' for advancing students rather than absolute beginners. Its precision requires a basic level of embouchure development to fully appreciate the tonal benefits.
What instrument is the S90 190 designed for?: This specific model is designed for the soprano saxophone. Selmer produces S90 models for other saxophones, but the dimensions and facing of this model are soprano-specific.
How is the S90 manufactured?: The mouthpiece is expertly milled from hard rubber and then finished by hand by craftsmen at Selmer Paris. This combination of machine precision and manual finishing ensures high levels of consistency.
What is the typical price for an S90 190?: The typical price for this mouthpiece is approximately GBP 137. This places it in the mid-to-high range of professional soprano saxophone mouthpieces.
Can I use this mouthpiece for jazz?: While it is primarily used for classical and contemporary concert music, its stability makes it a versatile tool. However, jazz players often prefer mouthpieces with larger tip openings or different chamber shapes for more 'edge' or projection.
Does the S90 190 come with a ligature and cap?: Typically, Selmer Paris mouthpieces are sold as the mouthpiece only. Players often pair them with accessories like the Rovner 3RL Dark or Vandoren Cuir leather ligatures.
Why is the S90 190 used for testing instruments?: It has become a benchmark for mouthpiece testing because of its extreme reliability and neutral, stable response. This allows the player to hear the true characteristics of the saxophone itself.
What does the '190' number signify?: The 190 represents the tip opening measurement. In the S90 range, this provides a moderate opening that balances ease of blowing with enough resistance to control the soprano sax's intonation.
Which reeds are compatible with the S90 190?: It works well with high-quality reeds such as D'Addario Organic Select Jazz or Vandoren Java. Most players find that a medium-strength reed complements the 190 tip opening well.
Is the S90 190 stable in all registers?: Yes, it is marketed as the most stable and reliable mouthpiece in Selmer's lineup. It is designed to enhance every aspect of the player's tone across the entire range of the instrument.
Who are some famous users of the Selmer S90?: The S90 is played by famous musicians all over the world, particularly within the classical saxophone community. It is a standard choice for conservatory students and orchestral professionals alike.