Do mean gold lacquer, or gold plate? There's both. I would say since the three is usually prett resistant, if you want jazz the silver plate would be more free blowing. If you have the money, you might eventually add a gold plate neck to add some character and warmth to it. I would actually frecommend the Series II over the III for jazz, because the III is just so damn resistant. Sure there's a few that the Selmer techs actually make well. I guess they get the whim every now and again to actually earn their money. But ususally the III does not make a good jazz horn, and some people will try to argue. It's ok if you're not serious, but if you play a lot, especially for gigs at a high level, you will definetly notice that horn holding you make in the tone department, though the response and ergonomics on the thing is great. The Series II tends to be easier to play, and a little brighter. The only negative to have the II, is the response on the III in the table keys is velvet, and with the II it's still great, but doesn't melt out like the III. I think though if you were to pick betweent the two, the Series II is the best way to go. Then there's the SBA and MarkVI....but that's a whole different thread.