- Selmer Mark Vi Tenor
- Selmer Mark Vi Serial Numbers
- Selmer Sax Serial Number Chart
- Selmer Mark Vii Serial Numbers
- Selmer Mark Vi Serial Number Chart
The Mark VI was an impossible act to follow. The VII was rejected by the Selmer faithful. I think the ones below around 275000 are good horns, and that you should be careful above that number.
- Jul 20, 2017 - Selmer Paris Saxophone Serial Number chart for saxophones! What year was my Selmer Saxophone made? Find out when your Selmer Mark.
- The Selmer Mark VI is a saxophone produced from 1954 to 1981. Production shifted to the. Bell of a Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone in the 80,000 serial number range. The French-assembled Mark VI engraving is usually of a butterfly.
Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone Concert model with high F#, right hand G#, D to E flat trill and C to D trill using the palm key E flat
The Selmer Mark VI is a saxophone produced from 1954 to 1981. Production shifted to the Mark VII for the tenor and alto in the mid-1970s (see discussion of serial numbers below), and to the Super Action 80 for the soprano and baritone saxophones in 1981. The sopranino saw limited production until about 1985.
Selmer debuted the Mark VI in 1954 with sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass saxophones, until the introduction of the Mark VII model in 1975. Since the Mark VI design continued for sopraninos, sopranos, baritones, or bass saxes, they did not have a Mark VII model. There are reports of a limited number of baritone saxophones labeled as Mark VIIs, but these horns were of the same design as the Mark VI.
![Selmer Mark Vi Serial Number Selmer Mark Vi Serial Number](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/G3wAAOSwkDtcO8xU/s-l300.jpg)
All Mark VI saxophones were manufactured in France. After manufacture, instruments designated for the British/Canadian or American markets were shipped unassembled and unengraved to their respective markets for completion. The style of engraving on the bell of the instrument is an indicator of the place of assembly.
Eric Marienthal playing his Selmer Mk VI tenor saxophone
Bell of a Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone in the 80,000 serial number range.
The French-assembled Mark VI engraving is usually of a butterfly and floral motif, and the engraving typically extends to the bow. Some French-assembled Mark VIs lack any engraving other than the brand stamp. Nickel or silver-plated keys with a lacquer-finish body were offered among the French-assembled horns.
The British/Canadian Mark VIs often have a symmetrical medallion engraved on the front of the bell, and a design reminiscent of the chambered nautilus along the sides of the bell.
American-assembled Mark VIs have floral or scroll engraving, with only the earliest models extending to the bow.
The design of the Mark VI evolved over time. Switching over from its predecessor, officially named the Super Action but commonly called the Super Balanced Action, Selmer's earliest Mark VI models were transitional, incorporating design elements from the preceding model. Tonally, early examples are considered to have a 'dark' tone, while later examples are thought of as having a 'bright' sound. The bore taper, bow, neck designs, and some mechanical features changed throughout the history of the Mark VI.[1] The changes were not documented by Selmer. The length of the bow was increased on altos during the 85K serial number range to address certain intonation issues. In subsequent years the short bow was reintroduced. Some altos had baffles soldered into the bow to correct intonation issues. At least three changes to neck design were made on the tenor during the 1950s and 1960s, and once again in the 1970s. Some contend that the neck design changes account for the different tonal and playing qualities between earlier and later Mark VIs. Others contend that Mark VIs produced after about SN 180,000 had harder metal as a result of a change in the metalworking process, however, that SN corresponds to a known change in neck design so differing characteristics before and after can not definitely be ascribed to metallurgy.
Latter-year Mark VIs gained a reputation of being lower quality than early versions (possibly due to Selmer's higher annual production output of the popular saxophone), leading to a greater demand of early-year Mark VIs with a five-digit serial number. An employee's description of the assembly and quality control process at Selmer USA during the 1960s indicated that different quality Mark VIs were sold through different channels; the top tier was offered to musicians under contract to Selmer ('Selmer Artists'), the second tier went to pro dealers in major markets, and the third tier went to the general market. Hence, the best assurance of the quality of a Mark VI may be its sale history, as more variability could be expected in the quality of horns initially sold in the general market.[citation needed]
The high F♯ key was offered as an option, though some players believe that instruments without the high F♯ key have better natural intonation. During the mid-1960s optional keywork was offered, including the rare 'Concert' model with a high F#, right hand G#, D to E flat trill key and C to D trill key using the E flat palm key. There are also somewhat rare low A alto and baritone models. The low A baritone is especially sought after, whereas the low A alto model acquired a reputation, rightly or wrongly, for intonation issues.[citation needed] Nonetheless, Ornette Coleman played a low A alto.
The quality and ergonomics of the keywork design of the Mark VI can be observed in current saxophone designs: most modern saxophones have keywork that is based upon the basic Mark VI design.
Selmer's General Manager Jerome Selmer has confirmed that all Mark VIs were manufactured from industry-standard 66/34 'yellow brass' stock and that Selmer never recycled shell casings.[2]
Selmer Mark Vi Tenor
Years of production by serial number[edit]
- 1954- 55201-59000
- 1955- 59001-63400
- 1956- 63401-68900
- 1957- 68901-74500
- 1958- 74501-80400
- 1959- 80401-85200
- 1960- 85201-91300
- 1961- 91301-97300
- 1962- 97301-104500
- 1963- 104501-112500
- 1964- 112501-121600
- 1965- 121601-131800
- 1966- 131801-141500
- 1967- 141501-152400
- 1968- 152401-162500
- 1969- 162501-173800
- 1970- 173801-184900
- 1971- 184901-196000
- 1972- 196001-208700
- 1973- 208701-220800
- 1974- (After 231,000/Mark VII) 220801-233900
The 'Official' Serial number guide issued by Selmer was not exact and Selmer never meant for it to be so. There can be as much as an 18-month (+/-) variation in actual production dates. This has been verified by original owners with receipts of their instruments showing purchase dates earlier than they would have been produced according to this chart. An example exists of an 89,000 series instrument sold in 1959. The actual timing of the transition from Mark VI to Mark VII altos and tenors is unclear--Mark VIs exist in the 236,000 (1975) serial number range, contrary to the purported 231,000 Mark VII change-over. One hypothesis is that the announcement of the transition in Selmer's 1974 literature was premature. Another is that Selmer produced both the Mark VI design and early Mark VII horns concurrently, or possibly until the existing parts for the Mark VI were used up. Reported early Mark VII examples have Mark VII keywork on Mark VI type body tubes.
The Mark VI Soprano, Baritone, and Bass models were produced from 1954-1981. It is possible to find confirmed examples of these instruments in the serial range of # 55201-365000. The Mark VI Sopranino model was produced from 1954-1985 and can be found within the serial number range of # 55201-378000.The Mark VI was succeeded by the Mark VII, which was produced as alto and tenor saxophones only.
References[edit]
![Selmer Mark Vi Serial Number Selmer Mark Vi Serial Number](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126311364/707825327.jpg)
- ^'Mark VI Production Variations by Steve Goodson'.
- ^Jerome, Selmer (February 2012). Manufacturing and history (Speech). Saxophone Smackdown II. Wilmington, NC.
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Selmer_Mark_VI&oldid=900461608'
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Selmer Mark VI is a professional model saxophone that is generally considered the Selmer Company's best saxophone (many say, the best saxophone period) and is preferred by many jazz musicians. These have included Phil Woods, Paul Desmond, Bob Mintzer, Wayne Shorter, Stanley Turrentine, Michael Brecker, Candy Dulfer, Chris White, Bob Berg, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, King Koeller, Bill Clark, Ed Rusk, Branford Marsalis, Victor Goines, Dick Oatts, Eric Marienthal, Peter King, John Coltrane, David Sanborn, Lee Konitz, LeRoi Moore, Kenny G, Jazz Hamilton, and numerous others.
The Mark VI was introduced in 1954 and was available in alto, tenor, soprano, sopranino, baritone and bass saxophones for nearly 20 years until the introduction of the Mark VII model in 1975; however, there were no Mark VII sopranos, sopraninos, baritones, or bass saxes as these continued to be the Mark VI design until introduction of the Super Action 80 saxophones. There are reports of a select number of baritone saxophones labeled as Mark VIIs but these horns are of the same design as the Mark VI. The entire line of Selmer horns was not revamped until the introduction of the Super Action 80 series in 1980. In 2005 Selmer introduced the Reference 54 series, whose design, look, feel, and sound was patterned after the Mark VI.
The Mark VI was made in France and originally imported in parts to the United States 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. The Mark VIs from this era have a few notable features that separate them from their French-assembled siblings.
Bell of a Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone in the 80,000 serial number range.
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 US. Eventually this practice was dropped. It is also believed that not all saxophones leaving the Elkhart factory had matching neck and body serial numbers. Technicians in the US also purportedly swapped necks to optimize the sound, which leads some to believe that American saxophones have better quality control than its French-assembled sibling. In the Japanese market, American Mark VIs are seen as more oriented toward jazz, whereas French saxophones are seen as catered to classical. It is believed that the difference in lacquer makes the American Mark IVs 'brighter' than the 'darker' French variants. Consequently, the Elkhart-assembled VIs are in greater demand in Japan. However, Selmer has never officially verified differences in quality-control or lacquer, so the perceived impact of the origin of assembly on the sound largely remains as speculation.
https://workscelestial998.weebly.com/download-game-subway-surf-hack-mod-apk.html. Aesthetically, the French-assembled saxophones have a more elaborate engraving, generally of a Fleur-de-lis and on the bow. In addition, the necks on the French instruments have a painted blue Selmer logo, whereas US-assembled Mark VIs are unpainted. War of the worlds free download.
The design of the Mark VI evolved over time. Switching over from its predecessor, the Super Balanced Action, Selmer's earliest models were often transitional, incorporating design elements from both the preceding and the current saxophone. Tonally, early examples are considered to have a 'dark' tone, while later examples are thought of as having a 'bright' sound. 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. In subsequent years the short bow was reintroduced. Latter-year Mark VIs gained a reputation of being lower quality than early versions (possibly due to Selmer's higher annual production output of the popular saxophone), leading to a greater demand of early-year Mark VIs with a five-digit serial number.
Selmer Mark Vi Serial Numbers
The high F♯ key also shows up on various serial number ranges, though some players believe that instruments without the high F# key have better natural intonation. There are also somewhat rare low A alto and baritone models. Trey songz unfortunate mp3 download. The low A baritone is especially sought after, whereas the low A alto model is somewhat less desirable (which presumably suffered intonation issues). Nonetheless, Ornette Coleman plays a low A alto.
Selmer Sax Serial Number Chart
The quality and ergonomics of the keywork design of the Mark VI can be observed in current saxophone designs: most modern saxophones have keywork that is influenced by the basic Mark VI design.
Selmer Mark Vii Serial Numbers
Years of Production by Serial Number
1954- 55201-59000
1955- 59001-63400
1956- 63401-68900
1957- 68901-74500
1958- 74501-80400
1959- 80401-85200
1960- 85201-91300
1961- 91301-97300
1962- 97301-104500
1963- 104501-112500
1964- 112501-121600
1965- 121601-131800
1966- 131801-141500
1967- 141501-152400
1968- 152401-162500
1969- 162501-173800
1970- 173801-184900
1971- 184901-196000
1972- 196001-208700
1973- 208701-220800
1974- (After 231,000/Mark VII) 220801-233900
1955- 59001-63400
1956- 63401-68900
1957- 68901-74500
1958- 74501-80400
1959- 80401-85200
1960- 85201-91300
1961- 91301-97300
1962- 97301-104500
1963- 104501-112500
1964- 112501-121600
1965- 121601-131800
1966- 131801-141500
1967- 141501-152400
1968- 152401-162500
1969- 162501-173800
1970- 173801-184900
1971- 184901-196000
1972- 196001-208700
1973- 208701-220800
1974- (After 231,000/Mark VII) 220801-233900