Selmer Mark VI
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A professional model saxophone that is considered Selmer's best (when it really does not produce the best sound) saxophone and is preferred by many jazz musicians. These include Phil Woods, Michael Brecker, Sonny Rollins and many more.
The Mark VI was available in alto, tenor, soprano, sopranino, baritone and bass saxophones for nearly 20 years until the introduction of the Mark VII in 1975.
The Mark VIs were originally imported in parts to the USA market in order to avoid import tariffs. They were shipped unassembled and with no engraving to the United States. They were then assembled and engraved in Elkhart, Indiana. These Mark VIs have a few notable features that separate them from their French assembled siblings.
The "American" engraving is generally of a flower and does not appear on the bow of the saxophone. Early examples of these saxophones have a serial number on the neck of the saxophone. It is believed that they were stamped with a serial number prior to exportation in France so that they could be matched upon arrival in the USA. Eventually this practice was dropped. It is also believed that not all saxophones leaving the Elkhart factory had matching neck and body serial numbers. It is surmised that the technicians swapped neck to achieve better sounding saxophones. Many believe that this individual attention to each saxophone in the Elkhart factory resulted in a very high quality product that is preferred to its French assembled sibling.
The French assembled saxophones have a more elaborate engraving, generally of a Fleur-de-lis and on the bow.
The design of the Mark VI evolved over time. Early examples are considered to have a dark tone, while later examples are thought of as bright. The bore of the instrument changed throughout the history of the Mark VI. The shape of the bow was increased during the 90K serial number range to address certain intonation issues. Later the short bow was reintroduced.
The high F# key also shows up on various serial number ranges. There are also somewhat rare low A alto and baritone models. The baritone is especially sought after, whereas the alto model is somewhat less desirable. Nonetheless, Ornette Coleman plays a low A alto.
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