Selmer Mark VI (6) sax comparison / review 🎶 Saxophone advice / lesson / tutorial
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
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Excellent advice, thank you!
As a fellow sax player and collector, I'd like to make a recommendation when you put your mouthpiece on the neck. I don't mean any disrespect but I've watched several of your videos, and the way you put the mouthpiece on the neck could potentially bend the neck. A safer way to do it, and the way I recommend whether you are sitting or standing is to 1. Put your neckstrap on and clip the sax body to your neckstrap. 2. Insert the neck on the sax body. 3. With your left hand firmly grasp the neck in the middle. Since your sax body is clipped on the neckstrap this will keep your sax from moving and keep your neck in place (because your left hand is holding it) 4. With your right hand grab your mouthpiece and insert it into the neck, while holding the neck with your left hand. The same goes for removing the mouthpiece, keep your left hand firmly grasping the neck and take the mouthpiece off with your right hand.
This way would make it nearly impossible to pull down the neck. I should make a video demonstrating as that would be easier to explain but I just wanted to throw it out there. I know a lot of people watch your videos and while your current method might work fine, someone with a different mouthpiece that has a tighter bore going on a neck with a thicker cork and struggling to put the mouthpiece on could do damage to an irreplaceable neck like those Mark VI's. I know you have a lot of followers and just am looking out for the sax community. Happy playing.
Aww, such a polite message. Thanks for the feedback. In my 2 decades of playing I've never had any issues with my crook on any of my 6 saxes so guess I've got away with it! Although it sounds like you're speaking from experience - did you bend your neck joint once by any chance ? ;-) Glad the sax community can read this and take head. Happy saxing to you too lovely! Cxxxx
The moment you said to put the neck on the body you lost me. You want to avoid bending the neck? Put the mouthpiece on the neck while it's off the horn. Then put the neck on the horn. Easy.
You're absolutely right, the other correct way for this not to happen is as I was taught, first place the mouthpiece on the neckpiece, and then place the neckpiece with the mouthpiece on the sax.
Even I, as deaf as I am from 35 years of foundry work, can hear the difference of the two Selmers. Neither ones are bad, of course, but the second one is much nicer. I used to have an old Buescher tenor, and it was physically not pretty, with the lacquer worn a LOT, and the bell rim bent slightly. But the tone was simply beautiful, warm and rich. I had someone tell me that I should get it redone, re-lacquered, new keys, the hole thing. I told them that nobody in their right mind would do that to a Stradivarius violin, and I felt it was the same thing with a sax. I upgraded to a Yamaha tenor, which was easier to play, but I still loved my original Buescher.
Agreed, as many speculate that as the Mark VI production continued after 65, quality slowly decreased leaving some to never consider a Mark VI after 1965. HOWEVER, it’s a personal preference thing and some Mark VIs after 65 did match the previous quality sound of early Mark VIs. I own a 1972 and it sounds exactly like a 1965 Mark VI that my teacher plays. So you really got to try them all to find the sound you’ve been looking for.
Thanks for the great comments guys. I agree, you need to find the sound which suits your style & voice as a saxophonist. Each sax is slightly different. The more "vintage" the more they vary so it's important to really try these saxes out before purchasing. Hopefully this video gets that message across clearly. Thanks for watching! Cx
I bought/imported two MKVI tenors online in 2000 from USA. A 1965, and a 72xxx 1957 with top F# key. The latter came from SaxQuest and was set up by Tenor Madness. Ian Kirkham had a blast through it to show Chris De Margary, and liked it that much because it was old but felt brand new, so he got in touch with SaxQuest also for one. Prior to the tinternet, it took me 8 years to find one in local UK music shops. Easier today! You become paranoid taking these babies on stage because of their cost. There's two main engraving patterns on MKVI's, the European style (symmetrical bunny ears); and the American style (asymmetrical fern leaf). Also the joining bands have little loop scrolls on the early ones, but milled straight lines on the 60's versions. I only briefly had a Yani Sop, traded it up to a MKVI Sop. Having bought them, I'm now on a Dave Guardala 24ct gold on silver body New York Twin Towers B&S Tenor, and that is a beast. I would always try saxes out first if at all possible, and if you find a pearler, buy it there and then, and worry about how you are going to pay for it later! On a credit card minimum payment it'll take 18 years!
Interesting comment about the "try it in a reputable shop". Depending on where you are, finding and getting to a reputable shop could add a bunch to the price. In some cases, it might be "cheap insurance" against getting a horn you don't like (or is a scam), but it's something to factor in when you're thinking about a used "vintage" horn. Or you trust your online seller a lot...
Back in the 80s, while my Yamaha 62 tenor was at Bill Lewingtons for a service, they loaned me a Mk6. Now myYam was an ultra reliable, great horn; easy to play, sounded lovely, perfect intonation and it never went out of regulation despite me being a full time London busker back then (happy days...about 12 excellent buskers would all meet up to jam together at Leceicester Sq undergound stn every Saturday night) the Mk6 was in a different league when it came to tone. Nothing else was better about it but ultimately, imo tone is everything. Having said that; Jez is 100% right a) they do vary from horn to horn b) ( because of 'a' ) dont buy one without blowing it first.
Thanks for commenting honey. Great story too . -you have an interesting history! I bet you can tell some tales ;-)
Re: Mark 6 - the recurring theme definitely seems to be - find the horn that suits you & your voice, NOT the label which you think would be good for you. Always try before you buy!
Thanks for the reply :) I agree completely with your "try before you buy" advice; it's most definitely true when it comes to saxophones........ also applies to fruit, motorbikes and any of the c*@p they stick on Amazon Prime video.
Sorry I got your name wrong in my comment Chez......how to make friends and influence people innit ;)
Boy Bergs you’re hilarious! Love you style 😎
Thank you Chez, interesting points! They are all different from each other, right! I had a Mark VI Alto at one point for about a year. I hardly ever played it, as Keilwurth SX-90R and Yamaha Custom we’re both easier to play, much more consistent in tuning up and down. I thought I should keep it because of all the passion for them, but after a year, sold the Mark VI for a large profit because I never wanted to play it-someone else is no doubt loving it somewhere, and willing to work twice as hard to get the notes out in tune. Good video points you made ... play them before considering ☝️ one! 🚀
Ha ha! Love this very honest comment. That's amazing that you made a profit! I agree with you, I think these horns take a lot of love which you have to be prepared to devote to them should you wish to purchase. I am smitten with that balanced action at the moment.....May do another video on this soon...
In this case beauty is in the EAR of the beholder. I sold a Mark 6 alto many years ago when I needed the cash and lived to regret it. Selmer still makes some outstanding instruments. Some half century ago when I was growing up most top players tended to play the Mark 6. It was the standard played. My first teacher played a Selmer and I grew up with that sound in my ears. Likewise I was learning clarinet and the standard was the Boosey and Hawkes 1010 large bore instrument. It is no longer made and many musicians said the same thing about that instrument as they do about the Mark 6 to - intonation etc. For me I have had several horns but the sound of the Selmer. In the second register has a distinctive sound which no other horn can produce for my ears and the feel of blowing. Perhaps it's all in the mind. Perhaps in the future players will be raving about the great Yanis or Yamaha of the past. Who knows.? A really Good mouthpiece and Reed are in my opinion essential for success and satisfaction If I was starting out today I would not look too much for an open mouthpiece or too hard a Reed. Get a good teacher to help you choose an instrument. Then stick with it because you'll soon find a better one. ! Music is a language and it takes a lifetime to learn it! If you are just starting out enjoy the journey it is great but sometimes frustrating. God sure had a good idea when he invented music!! Thank you for your video it helps people who do not perhaps have a teacher. Nobody I know ever talks about Charlie Parkers instruments because many of them were pretty poor but he was sure a great musician.! Please continue to make thought provoking. videos. I think it showed beauty is in the EAR of the beholder. God bless. Bill. UK
Really interesting to see the difference between two horns of the same brand, especially the mystical Mark VI. First video I've ever seen doing this type of comparison, and it was eye (ear??) opening to hear the difference.
So glad it was useful honey. Thanks for taking the time to comment, people like you make these videos worthwhile for me. Big love. XX
Hi Chez !!! You are a bautiful teacher !!!!
Recently purchased a Mark VI Baritone in silver.
I bought it because
A) I felt it was comparable to a new Yamaha YBS-62 which it was priced similarly to but it was likely to lose less value when I took it out of the store compared to the new Yamaha
B) It was silver (this was somewhat important to me, my other saxes are silver, it's nice to have them all the same). If I wanted a new YBS-62 in silver it was going to be custom order, pay up front without hearing and be $2300 more.
So the fact that I could hear it and play it before I paid for it was important, and I liked it.
Is it my favourite instrument? No, it's what I could afford. My favourite is the Keilwerth Shadow which was nearly twice the price.
Hi Chez. Love this kind of video. Very interesting. Very helpful to us who cant get to a Sax.Co.UK. Your thoughts and insights on the different saxs are key.....no pun intended.
Thanks for taking the time to comment honey. Means a lot to me. Glad the video was useful for you. Cxxxx
You have confirmed what many serious sax players say about Selmer Mark VIs--that is that the earlier made horns, especially those with the 5 digit serial numbers are quite a bit better than the later models. I bought a Mark VI tenor 8 years ago after playing a Super Action 80 Series II for 6 years. Mine is a later model, made in 1971, but it really was a big improvement, and I paid quite a reasonable price for it, so I am happy.
I own a 1972 Selmer Mark VI that seems to say otherwise. It’s true many speculate that quality dropped after 65, but this is false cause my 1972 sounds identical to an earlier Mark VI, so it seems that some of the later horns break that myth. In the end, people shouldn’t be superstitious about the Mark VI and should buy one based on the sound they are looking for.
I agree. That's very good advice.
Hey guys! Sorry I'm late to the party! Love this thread and discussion though. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I wholeheartedly agree - these vintage horns in particular are all varied and have their own character. Regardless of make or model, it's important to find the sax which best suits your style and voice. Glad we're on the same page. Thanks again for watching and for supporting my channel. Cxxx
Amo a Selmer mas adooooro o meu YTS 62 Yamaha 👌🏻🤪🎷🙏🏻👍🏻
My Mark VI tenor, #84xxx, has been overhauled 3 times. 1: 1981, 2: 2009, 3: 2011 (the 2009 job was badly done).
It's been excellent since then (2011). It HAS TO get worse simply because of aging. But, it shows no sign of weakening yet. I've compared it to brand new Reference 54 and 36 models. Mine has a smoother sound (which I prefer), although the Reference 36 projects much stronger. The Reference 54 didn't sound as smooth. Neither did the Reference 36 in spite of its superior projection. I'll keep my VI, thanks.
nice video friend!!! :)
Your videos are great.
Thank you lovely. You're great! Yep, you really are;-)
Thank you, I'm touched.
if that's your mpc its too dark sounding
ist not the mouthpiece man! ist her embrouchure haha. and yes, ist not a good Sound.
Lindaaaaaaa ... 🌹🌹🌹🌹🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🎷🎷🎷👊🏻👍🏻! 😘😘😘! Sou fiel a suas aulas. Beijos ! Felicidades !!
Can you do a video on the rose gold saxophone from yanigisawa
MkVI were hype when there were no others around. Since then I've read Series III are as good. And lucky me, I own one :)
I used to play a Series II tenor. I play-tested a Yamaha custom tenor and didn't find much difference. Then I came across a Mark VI for sale, and when I play-tested it, I immediately noticed a significant difference. The Mark VI was definitely better than the Series II. I was fortunate that I could afford to pay the reasonable price for the Mark VI, which has been my main sax for 8 years. Nowadays they seem quite overpriced.
I bought a Mark VI new in 1974. Wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Three of my teachers all had VI’s. You can say they are all hype. I can say you don’t know what your talking about. From the late 50’s Buffett made the Super Dynaction that was a great horn but didn’t catch on. King had the Super 20. Conn 10m. Currently there are great horns being crafted. Many of the vintage VI’s have been played. They are overpriced. Nevertheless, the Mark VI was a great horn and still can be if they haven’t been played out. The Series III may be a great horn but is isn’t and never will be a VI.
Hi Chez. I play keyboards, piano and guitar and I am very curious about the alto sax. I did some research on this wonderful instrument.
hope you decided to take it up!
They are some of the best horns made but too pricey for me
Wondering if anyone can help me out. Trying to find how to play mama kin on sax, from what I can hear it's a tenor but there is no sheet music other than playing the whole song. Does someone have the sheet on just the parts where it's included and the solo?
Get a P. Mauriat PMXT 66 GL, just as good, half the price brand new!!!
Sorry this is not a 1964 build Mark VI !
A Selmer aqui no Brasil 🇧🇷 é muuuito caro. 😕$$$
I know right?! PRICEY!!! But beautiful though.
×CHEZx not wot I rote ...whoops; my bad :/
For the time they were made, limited repertoire and limited dynamic range of music, Series VI were fine. But I would not touch Mark VI today. Today's top of the crop saxophones are by leaps and bounds better made, more durable, more versatile and all-music-styles ready.
Haha You recommend to use sax harness but you're still using the common sax strap !!!
Ha ha! Cheeky cross reference there well noticed. I think harnesses are genuinely great. Trouble is I'm far too vain!!! They look a bit geeky and cling in all the wrong places. Ha ha!!!
Just remember: never buy this sax. Its an amazing piece but overpriced bcs of the mark. You can find tones of cheaper saxs which play better then Mark 6. But it is amazing instrument indeed.
Jan Macák I think it’s just more of a personal view. Look I’m going into college and I just recently bought at 1972 Mark VI and I absolutely love it. It’s not like one is better than the other, it’s more like Harry Potter where you need to try multiple to find the one for you. I tried other saxophones and nothing came close to the Mark VI I now proudly own. It’s the sound I wanted and the look I wanted. My looks old and has obvious wear but that’s what I love. Some people just want it because they expect to be better when playing it. Not true. The point is you should buy something you are going to love and cherish if it’s what you’ve been looking for and for some, it’s going to be a Mark VI. So please don’t discourage some people if they really have fallen in love with one or ones looking for a sax to match them as a player but rule out the Mark VI because of price.
Fair comment - you definitely find the 'voice' which suits you in a sax, I agree wholeheartedly. However, vintage saxes are a risk as they've had such varied history and treatment. This video warns of this and the difference between the two horns is quite apparent. Hopefully the message has been put across - make sure you TRY the sax, don't just buy online because of the brand. I certainly wouldn't wish to put people off the brand entirely. That was not my intention. Cx
doesn't sound good scooped notes, unfocused air stream , uncontrolled vibrato I guess those horns are no good.
I have had 3 mark vi's and I the Japanese horns are much better. Japanese horns are more reliable and have better ergonomics and intonation. Selmers are overrated and overpriced. Purple logo over a mark vi any day.
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ffs - please don't sand the tone holes!
@mental advice
No need for aggression or swears on the channel hun - no one died via sandpaper! Ha ha!
Not either Chez - but as a repair guy, I'd beg you not to do it!
Fix your embrouchure
what a bad Sound = bad comparison
Your sound is bad
Work on your tone
And how many mk6s have you owned?