We are approaching the time of year where parents are thinking about purchasing instruments as graduation presents. Since this is an important investment into a young musician’s musical future, I wanted my friend Eugene Cantera, faculty member from the Dallas School of Music, to share his expertise with the grandest saxophone of all, the Selmer Mark VI. Since we are both professional saxophonists, and we both use Selmer Mark VI’s, I thought it would be great to have Eugene talk about this extraordinary instrument.
Selmer Mark VI : Greatest Saxophone Ever Made
by Eugene Cantera
OK, full disclosure time. I own and play a Selmer Mark VI. I have ever since sophomore year in high school when my band director Bill McManus said it was time to ‘step up’ from my Martin student model. My folks were nice enough to head to our local shop called Robinson’s Music in Westboro, Massachusetts and purchase the best horn they had in stock. Lucky for me it happened to be the make and model of the greatest saxophone ever made. This is only a point of contention between those who happen to play a Selmer VI and those who don’t. For everyone else, it’s a no-brainer as they say. The Selmer VI is generally regarded as one of the best saxophone models ever produced by any manufacturer….ever. Here are some thoughts from The Dallas School of Music on the Selmer Mark VI.
Selmer Mark VI: Serial Numbers
All Mark VI saxophones were manufactured in France. Some were shipped to Britain, Canada, and America where they were unassembled and engraved to suit their respective markets. My Selmer Mark VI has a ‘flower’ engraving and a deep dark tone that is associated with a typical American VI. Evidently, technicians who re-assembled the horns in the United States would sometimes change or match the neck pieces to optimize the sound.
I have been a so-called ‘expert’ at the site AllExperts.com for years and I would say that at least a 3rd of all questions I receive are in some way related to the Selmer VI. Most often people want to know the value of their horn or why one serial number or model is ‘better’ than another. Lots of people have or have found a Selmer Bundy (a student model) and think they’ve hit paydirt, and it breaks my heart to inform them that they will need to keep working lol.
As is often the case with any ‘collectible’, the lower the serial number, the more desirable. The Selmer company began manufacturing VI’s n 1954 and used a 5 digit serial number (starting with 55201). In 1963 they moved to a 6 digit number (beginning with 97301) and continued to the end of their run in 1974. The number on my Selmer VI is not particularly low at 201010 (which dates to 1972) but there can be as much as a plus or minus 18 month variation in production dates by serial number and a few hard core Selmer-files who have seen and played my horn think it may indeed date more closely to 1970 or even 1969. Some of these folks can even identify subtle differences in lacquering and etching from year to year, but frankly, it never mattered that much to me!
Selmer Mark VI: Unmistakable Tone
Though there may be a lemon or two among the thousands of Selmer Mark VI’s made, I have never played one that I would consider “bad”. From personal experience I do know that there can be differences in tone between VI’s; some are brighter, and some darker than others. There can also be a great variation in the ‘feel’ between horns. I have played a few VI’s that seem a bit cumbersome or ‘clunky’ under the fingers while others seem to be perfectly ergonomic. Some VI’s have very light ‘action’ and I have played a few that indeed feel ‘stiff’. My horn falls into the ‘light action’ category and from day 1 it felt like it was made to suit my hands specifically. Just lucky I guess!
One constant characteristic however is the unmistakable tone of the Selmer Mark VI. Whether dark or bright all VI’s seem to have a richness and depth of tone that makes them unique. This was certainly the case versus other saxophones made during the 1950’s and 60’s. In recent years companies like Yamaha, Keilwerth, and a few niche manufacturers have tried hard and perhaps even come close to capturing the magic of the Selmer Mark VI. But none however on as grand a scale as Selmer during its heyday. It’s why a long list of great saxophonists still seek out and play these horns, and some of the greatest jazz recordings of the 1960’s were played on a Selmer VI.
Selmer Mark VI: Final Thoughts
I am not a Selmer spokesman, but it’s very easy for me to recommend a Selmer VI to anyone who can afford one if you can find one. I feel fortunate to be able to play mine daily and that it has stayed in good condition even after years of bonking microphones and being jostled by lots of travel. It’s part of me and I’m part of it. Thanks mom and dad!
Selmer Mark VI: Moving Forward
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Additional Notes on Trying Out Instruments
- The Selmer Mark VI saxophones are world-class instruments, but it is still important to check with a trusted repairperson or private teacher before purchasing to make sure the instrument is right for you or your young musician. Make sure that you are playing on a mouthpiece that allows for good tone, intonation and ease of producing sound in all registers first before trying out these horns.
- When trying out the sax, bring your best reeds and try out each of them with the instrument.
- Bring a good tuner (I use the iStroboSoft app) to check intonation in all registers. The app I use also allows you to see if you are getting the “core” of the sound as well.
- If possible, try out more than 1 Mark VI to compare the sound, ease of playing, intonation, feel in the hands, etc.
- Don’t go more than an hour when trying out an instrument. (An hour, in fact, is a little too long.) The best situation is for you to be able to try it out on a few separate occasions. Ideally, if you are able to try it out at a rehearsal or gig, you can see how it works for you in a real-life situation.
- After you buy a Mark VI, or any instrument for that matter, insure it either on your homeowner’s insurance or purchase special musical instrument insurance from companies like Music Pro Insurance or Clarion.
Action Steps:
- Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe and receive the Free Video, 1 Tip That Can Give You an Edge at Your Next Audition.
- Check out my Radio Show at the BAM Radio Network for some great music education information for teachers and parents.
- Do you own or have you tried a Selmer Mark VI saxophone? What did you like/dislike? Let me know in the comments below….
Thanks for the opportunity Donna! And great pic of your horn BTW 🙂 I’ve taken some ‘heat’ about my opinion on Selmer VI, mostly from folks who are passionate about whatever horn they own. For me however, the ‘mental image’ I have of what I want a sax to sound like has only been manifested on a VI. I understand that some folks like a more ‘ringing’ tone and others are more concerned with projection. But for me it’s about warmth and a rich dark sound – but on that still has a bit of an edge… I think that the VI has all of that plus incredible action that suits almost every style of play. Just one guys’ thoughts! …I hope we hear from other players!
I agree with you – I love the rich warm sound of the mark VI. Projection happens when you are able to play at the core of each pitch, which is something to strive for. I started on Yamaha’s, which are great instruments and I love the action on them, but for me, the sound of the Mark VI is what I hear in my head too. Thanks Eugene for a great article!
How can you talk about the Selmer Mark Six without mentioning the Selmer SBA/Super Action Horns?
Hi, great article! I’m actually selling my Mark VI tenor at the moment, if you or anyone you know is in the market, please send them my way || chriswardjazz@gmail.com Here’s a video about the sale : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS6dBdr4i9A&feature=youtu.be
Yes they are great horns. I originally had a late mk 6 through my early years. Then I traded in and have enjoyed a balanced action, King super 20 and a conn 10m (1938). I’ve also and still have a Borgani tenor. Recently having traded and sold on the others (except the Borgani) I’ve h
Just bought a V1 around the 78000 number. This is the best horn of the lot. Reliable, easy to play (I’m 50 and need the help now:) great intonation, harmonics and sounds sweet all over. They have a reputation and it’s well deserved. Simply a great horn go buy one. All the other horns I’ve tried have been great, but have imperfections, the mk 6 hangs in there and scores points all over. At the end of the day they make life a little easier and they are a joy to play.
I have a Selmer MK VI also in the 214000 range. I bought it brand new when I was a Freshman in college. Before that I had a used King Super 20. I liked the King but I feel the Mk VI is a better horn over all. The King was easier to play down low but the MK VI just had “that sound.” For a while I also had a 1941 era Conn 10M which I really liked. However the ergonomics made it harder for my fingers than my MK VI. Today besides the MK VI the 2 horns which I really like and that I feel come close to my Selmer are the Keilwerth SX 90R and the Cannonball Big Bell Raven. I actually own the Cannonball tenor and use it as a backup horn for my Selmer MK VI. The ergonomics are close to my MK VI but I did put a key riser on the side Bb key to raise it up a bit. The sound is dark and it sub tones really well. If I did not have my MK VI I would play it all the time. I tried the Keilwerths out when I was in NYC in 2000. I love their horn also but it is about $2K – $2.5K more than a Cannonball. If I was starting out today and needed a Pro horn I would buy either a Cannonball or a Keilwerth. A used Selmer Mk VI can go from $6K up to $15K. Sorry my MK VI is not for sale, neither is my metal FL Otto Link 8* mpc from the ’60’s. Good luck on your search for a great horn.
Playing a Selmer Ref 54 a copy of the MKVI
Those are great horns!
I can only speak as a beginner, articles like that one can become addictive, for me the dark smooth sound is seductive, since my teens, the rich tenor sound has always made me stop whatever I was doing, I’m in my 74th year now and I really regret not starting earlier. One thought did occur to me, put the mark VI in the hands of a beginner and an average sax in the hands of a top player, then compare the two horns, just a thought.
A top player will sound great on any horn because they have acquired the skills to make a great tone. A Mark VI on a beginner will help their sound, but they still have to learn how to create a great tone, which my course, Get a Killer Saxophone Tone will do.
In the mid 70’s Northwestern U Sax majors had t-shirts made with a Fred Hemke photo with a quote bubble saying “I Could Play the Rest of my Life on a Bundy” !
That was when he ibstructed us sax majors to trade our VI’s (plus $$$) in for his new creation, the Mark VII…Bobby Black at the Sax Shop in Evanston collected 20 -30 VI’s each year for,what might be.. more than a decade. Hmmmm Nice Racket!
Wow! That’s crazy. Thanks for sharing, Adam.
Thank you for sharing the informative article. My parents purchased my Selmer VI Alto Sax for me in Santa Ana, California for about $480 in about 1955-57. It was my second sax and have enjoyed playing the horn for 60 plus years. Regarding the serial number, I can not located a number that matches the numbers in the article. What I have found is the following:
On the bell:
BREVETE FRANCE & ETRANGER
HENRi SELMER PARIS
NEW-YORK ELKHART
LONDON
MADE IN FRANCE
On the main body, back side, of the instrument is the following:
BREV.SGDGN9383098
ENGLPAT.N911.824
U.S.PATENT.No2090011
M60760
The neck of the horn has a big “S” on the bridge and the words “H.SLEMER PARIS”
It has a flower on the horn bell. The instrument has a wonderful sound.
I would appreciate your insight on the serial number issue. Plus, is there an instrument museum that may like to receive the instrument. So you have any suggestions? Thank you
Hi James – You have a terrific saxophone! Since you were the original owner, that instrument would be worth a lot.
Does it have the original lacquer? If so, and if that’s the original neck, it is even more valuable.
Your serial number is located after the “M”, so it’s 60760 – which is one of the coveted 5 digit horns that everyone wants.
You may want to look into selling the instrument, but if not, there is the Musical Instrument Museum on Phoenix (I just wrote a review on my blog here on the site) and another museum in Carlsbad.
Hope that helps!
I have a Selmer Mark VI Tenor Sax that I purchased new in 1955. SN 61454. I am unable to play any longer and would consider selling.
Create a post in the Facebook Saxophone groups – people would be interested. Look for posts that have Mark VI’s around the same year to price it right