What is the primary material used in the S90?

The Selmer Paris S90 is crafted from high-quality hard rubber, also known as ebonite, which is then expertly milled and finished by hand for precision.

Is the S90 suitable for beginners?

While it is a professional-grade mouthpiece, it is highly recommended by teachers as a first professional upgrade because of its stability and ease of play.

How does the S90 differ from the S80?

The S90 is based on the S80 design but is engineered to be more versatile and stable, providing a slightly different response that many modern players prefer for all-around use.

What does the '200' in the model name represent?

The '200' refers to the specific tip opening size, which dictates the amount of air required and the level of resistance the player will experience.

Can the S90 be used for jazz music?

While primarily used for classical and conservatory styles, its versatile 'one-stop-shop' nature allows it to be used in jazz contexts where a darker, more centered tone is desired.

Does the S90 include a ligature and cap?

Typically, Selmer Paris professional mouthpieces are sold individually. Users often pair them with accessories like the Rovner 3RL Dark or Vandoren Cuir ligatures.

Where is the Selmer S90 manufactured?

The S90 is manufactured in France by Selmer Paris, following their long-standing tradition of expert woodwind craftsmanship.

Why is the S90 called a benchmark mouthpiece?

It is considered a benchmark because of its extreme reliability and neutral, high-quality tone, making it the standard against which other mouthpieces are often tested.

What kind of reeds work best with the S90?

While reed choice is subjective, it pairs well with high-quality options such as D'Addario Organic Select Jazz or Vandoren Java reeds, depending on the desired musical style.

How does the S90 help with soprano saxophone intonation?

The stability of the S90's square chamber and internal design helps players maintain a consistent pitch centre, which is notoriously difficult on the soprano saxophone.

Is the S90 a handmade mouthpiece?

The S90 is expertly milled using modern machinery and then finished by hand to ensure the rails, tip, and baffle meet strict professional standards.

What makes the S90 a 'one-stop-shop' mouthpiece?

It is described this way because it offers a balanced performance that suits almost any musical environment, reducing the need for players to switch mouthpieces for different genres.

Gear article

Selmer Paris S90 Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece

The Selmer Paris S90 is a professional-grade soprano saxophone mouthpiece renowned for its stability, reliability, and precision. Milled from hard rubber and finished by hand, it is frequently recommended by educators as a primary professional upgrade for advancing players.

Selmer Paris S90 Soprano Sax Mouthpiece 200

See live prices

Overview and Development

The Selmer Paris S90 soprano saxophone mouthpiece is a cornerstone of the brand's woodwind accessory line. It was developed as an evolution of the illustrious S80 mouthpiece, which has long been the industry standard for classical and conservatory playing. The S90 is designed to offer a balanced response across all registers, providing a versatile platform that caters to both students and touring professionals.

Each mouthpiece is expertly milled and finished by hand in France, ensuring a high level of consistency. This manufacturing process allows for precise internal geometry, which is essential for the intonation and stability required on the soprano saxophone.

Key Features and Construction

The S90 is distinguished by its square chamber design, a characteristic shared with the S80 but refined for a more flexible performance profile. The "200" designation specifically refers to the tip opening, which is calibrated to provide a specific level of resistance and air volume.

Key construction elements include: - Hand-Finished Rails and Baffle: Ensures even response and clean articulation. - Square Chamber: Focuses the airflow to produce a stable, centered core sound. - High-Quality Ebonite: The use of traditional hard rubber provides the resonance and durability expected of professional equipment.

DAddario Organic Select Jazz Unfiled Tenor Sax Reeds 4H (5 Pack)

Sound Character and Performance

The S90 is described as the most stable and reliable mouthpiece in the Selmer Paris catalogue. It is designed to enhance every aspect of the player's tone, offering a sound that is both direct and adaptable. Unlike jazz-specific mouthpieces that may have high baffles for projection, the S90 focuses on a pure, round tone that facilitates precise intonation—a frequent challenge for soprano saxophonists.

Because of its neutral and reliable character, it has become a 'benchmark' for mouthpiece testing, allowing players to evaluate the inherent qualities of their instrument without the mouthpiece adding excessive coloration.

Target Audience and Comparisons

The S90 is widely recommended as a "first professional mouthpiece" for students transitioning from student-grade gear, such as the Yamaha 5C. Its forgiving nature and stable pitch make it ideal for musicians wanting a "one-stop-shop" solution that works in wind ensembles, chamber groups, and solo recitals.

Compared to more aggressive alternatives like the JodyJazz Super Jet, the S90 offers a more controlled, classical aesthetic. While it lacks the sheer volume of a metal jazz mouthpiece, its reliability in technical passages makes it a preferred choice for musicians who require absolute consistency over raw power.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary material used in the S90?: The Selmer Paris S90 is crafted from high-quality hard rubber, also known as ebonite, which is then expertly milled and finished by hand for precision.
Is the S90 suitable for beginners?: While it is a professional-grade mouthpiece, it is highly recommended by teachers as a first professional upgrade because of its stability and ease of play.
How does the S90 differ from the S80?: The S90 is based on the S80 design but is engineered to be more versatile and stable, providing a slightly different response that many modern players prefer for all-around use.
What does the '200' in the model name represent?: The '200' refers to the specific tip opening size, which dictates the amount of air required and the level of resistance the player will experience.
Can the S90 be used for jazz music?: While primarily used for classical and conservatory styles, its versatile 'one-stop-shop' nature allows it to be used in jazz contexts where a darker, more centered tone is desired.
Does the S90 include a ligature and cap?: Typically, Selmer Paris professional mouthpieces are sold individually. Users often pair them with accessories like the Rovner 3RL Dark or Vandoren Cuir ligatures.
Where is the Selmer S90 manufactured?: The S90 is manufactured in France by Selmer Paris, following their long-standing tradition of expert woodwind craftsmanship.
Why is the S90 called a benchmark mouthpiece?: It is considered a benchmark because of its extreme reliability and neutral, high-quality tone, making it the standard against which other mouthpieces are often tested.
What kind of reeds work best with the S90?: While reed choice is subjective, it pairs well with high-quality options such as D'Addario Organic Select Jazz or Vandoren Java reeds, depending on the desired musical style.
How does the S90 help with soprano saxophone intonation?: The stability of the S90's square chamber and internal design helps players maintain a consistent pitch centre, which is notoriously difficult on the soprano saxophone.
Is the S90 a handmade mouthpiece?: The S90 is expertly milled using modern machinery and then finished by hand to ensure the rails, tip, and baffle meet strict professional standards.
What makes the S90 a 'one-stop-shop' mouthpiece?: It is described this way because it offers a balanced performance that suits almost any musical environment, reducing the need for players to switch mouthpieces for different genres.