A Century of Selmer, Reimagined from the Ground Up
If you've ever played a Mark VI and wished it had the intonation consistency of a modern horn, or played a Series III and wished it had just a little more of that vintage warmth and suppleness — you're not alone. That tension has lived in the tenor saxophone world for decades. The Henri Selmer Paris Supreme 94DL is the result of a 12-year development program aimed squarely at resolving it.
The 94DL is Selmer Paris's current flagship Bb tenor saxophone, and the "DL" designation tells you something important right away: this is the Dark Gold Lacquer finish, paired with the exclusive Supreme engraving that makes it instantly recognizable. Underneath that striking exterior is an instrument that was built with input from professional tenor players across every genre — a redesigned bore, an elongated bell, and a refined key system that together define what a modern professional tenor can be.
If you're a working professional, an advanced student preparing for conservatory-level performance, or a dedicated player looking for a horn that genuinely rewards your technique, this is the instrument that earns serious consideration.
A New Bore That Changes the Way the Tenor Plays
The tenor saxophone has always been a physically demanding instrument — larger and inherently more resistant than the alto. Selmer Paris tackled this head-on with a larger bore design on the Supreme that redistributes the overall balance and introduces a sensation of lightness that players typically associate only with smaller horns. The result is a horn that responds with less effort, especially in the softer dynamic range where tenors can sometimes feel sluggish.
The 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 a fuller sound — directly improving the intonation of octaves and overall timbre. For players who spend a lot of time in the lower register or who do section work where pitch consistency is critical, these are real, tangible improvements.
Ergonomics and Keywork Designed for Speed and Reliability
The key system on the Supreme has been rethought from scratch. A hinged left-hand pinky table lets you move smoothly between those tricky low-register keys without the hesitation that can trip up fast passages. The side keys have been redesigned and repositioned to reduce the reach between them, and the right-hand F#/F direct adjustment arm gives technicians a more precise, reliable setup point — which means better regulation out of the box and easier adjustments over time.
The neck receiver features a 3-point concentric clamp with an adjustable nickel-silver tightening ring, creating a more secure neck-to-body junction that resists deformation and maintains a consistent acoustic seal. The octave key mechanism uses Teflon inserts in the sockets, reducing friction and wear for a lighter, quieter action. Leather pads with rivetless metal resonators round out the mechanical picture — a setup chosen to maximize both clarity and response.
The Supreme Legacy and the 94DL Finish
Selmer Paris's history runs through virtually every defining tenor saxophone recording of the 20th century — the Balanced Action, Mark VI, Super Action 80 Series II, Series III, and Reference each contributed something essential to the language of the saxophone. The Supreme was built to distill those qualities: the legendary suppleness of the Mark VI, the ease of the Series II, the precision and elegance of the Series III, and the power of the Reference — combined in a single instrument using modern manufacturing tools, including in-house 3D modeling for precise tone hole extrusion and neck diameter boring.
The 94DL's Dark Gold Lacquer finish gives the instrument a warm, slightly subdued appearance compared to a standard gold lacquer — a look that complements the Supreme's exclusive hand-engraved motif. It's a horn that looks as considered as it plays.
Product Features:
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Instrument Type: Bb Tenor Saxophone, professional level
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Key: Bb, range from low Bb to high F#
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Body Material: Brass
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Finish: Dark Gold Lacquer with exclusive Supreme engraving
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Bore: New larger bore design for greater flexibility, projection, and intonation
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Bell: Newly tooled elongated bell shape for improved low-note production and intonation
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Neck Receiver: 3-point concentric clamp with adjustable nickel-silver tightening ring
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Octave Key System: Teflon inserts for reduced friction, lighter, quieter action
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Left-Hand Table: Hinged pinky table for fluid movement between keys
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Key Regulation: Direct F#/F adjustment arm for precise, reliable setup
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Pads: Leather pads with rivetless metal resonators
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Development: 12-year R&D program incorporating input from professional tenor players across genres
Brand: Henri Selmer Paris
Model: Supreme 94DL
SKU: 94DL
Condition: New
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