Mark VI Identification and Patent numbers

[Tony]

I was high bidder on ebay for what I thought was a very early Mark VI
(based on serial number, place of manufacture and photos), but
according to Jason DuMars Saxophone Buyers Guide, it may not be(?).

"A good way to check is to look for a patent number on the horn,
either on the side of the bell or on the back near the thumb rest.
The patent numbers of the Selmer Mark VI are 2940640, 2710558, 2846917
these are US patent numbers), and 920653 (this is the French patent
number.)"

The sax I bid on does not have these patents.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3737673027&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6

The seller does not say it's a MK VI but I assumed it would have to
be.

Can someone tell me what it is?

Many thanks in advance,
Tony

[bill goldner]

i am sure others know better, or for sure, but perhaps it is a super
balanced action. it looks great, and should not feel inferior if it is not
a Mark VI. may even be a more valuable vintage horn than a Mark!
bill g

"Tony" <ton...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:6d32665b.04072...@posting.google.com...

[Mark Bushaw]

It's a VI.
The earlier Super Action (SBA) had a round G# keytouch.

Great looking horn! Hope it plays as good as it looks!

Mark Bushaw

[Mark Bushaw]

Sorry, I just refreshed my memory (thanks-you Pete and SaxPics.com), and
the SBA may have had an ovalish G#, but would not have had the connector
piece between low C#/Bb, as your horn has.
Check out SaxPics.com for more pics of SBA / MkVI horns. And when you
get your horn, send some pics to Pete, I think yours looks good enough
to be on the site!

Mark Bushaw

[Hornsmasher]

It has a Mk VI, not SBA, neck. Looks like a very early VI from here.

--
Old ladies can eat more than you think.

[Tony Sarno]

Thank you!

Now I'll be able to sleep tonight!

"Tony" <ton...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:6d32665b.04072...@posting.google.com...

[Steve]

Mark VI neck, yes....

Yet the body-to-bell brace (ring) is up high on the bell, like on a BA or
SBA. Hmmmm..... well, Selmer DID blur one model into the next. Would not
shock me if the earliest Mark VI's had some SBA-like characteristics!

"Hornsmasher" <ste...@saxgourmet.com> wrote in message
news:CzANc.21900$%S4....@bignews1.bellsouth.net...

[MrWitworth]

The serial number suggests that it is of 1954 vintage too, according to
Selmer's own numbering chart. They state that 55201 was the first Mark 6. This
would seem to agree with what I learned from the person from whom I bought a
1954 Mk6 tenor. Its number is 575xx and they bought it in 1954.

RC

[AndyW]

mrwit...@aol.com (MrWitworth) wrote in

Ah, but if it was truly a first year Mk6, the "S" on the neck would
look more "serpentine", like this:

http://www.donmack.com/Images/products/Selmer/Mk6Catalogue/FrontPage.jpg

I know of two local players with first-batch '54 tenors like this ,
one of which is for sale:
one owner from new, but an ugly relacquer - he won't take less than
£2000 . Ouch!

-Andy-

[Hornsmasher]

I owned a 54XXX VI tenor, which had split lower stack feet like a SBA. I
don't recall that there were any other differences.

[MrWitworth]

As regards the 'more serpentine S' on the neck key, I had never seen that
before. Perhaps that was an 'alto thing'. I am looking at my 5751x tenor neck
and it has the usual 'S' design on it. The serial number is also stamped on the
ring just above the tenon so I know the neck came with the horn. The first
year's serial numbers ran from 55201 to somewhere in the 59,000 range. Tis a
mystery. Perhaps the earlier 1954 production run had the serpentine S on the
neck key and later ones didn't. I am clueless on such fine details. One thing
I did notice about my early tenor is that the pad cups have sort of a sharp
edge to them as compared to the more rounded flange found on later horns. The
adjustment screws for the bis and the G# also have bigger flat bottoms on them
and have felt disks as opposed to cork on them. Who cares, right? Just little
differences. These are very nice horns though.

RC

[GW]

mrwit...@aol.com (MrWitworth) wrote in message news:<20040728225545...@mb-m04.aol.com>...

I have a Mark VI tenor w/ the serpentine S on the neck key. Ser. # is
558XX.

Does anyone know if the Mark VI production started with alto or tenor?
Have often wondered how close to the "1st" VI tenor mine is.

GW

[MrWitworth]

My understanding is that the Mk6 numbers for alto and tenor began at 55201.
Your horn is a little older than mine. Perhaps by a few months. I am curious
as to why Selmer changed the stamping die for the neck key such that the "S"
design changed.

RC

[AndyW]

mrwit...@aol.com (MrWitworth) wrote
.

As I remember it, the early "serpentine" S is lightly engraved, not
stamped, and with my friend's 1st issue '54 Mk6 Sitting next to my own
'49 SBA on the stand, the bodies and necks (Including the neck angle)
looked identical, but all the cups & keywork were subtly different.

maybe the 'S' changed with the neck angle -[ this of course makes
these early horns THE most desirable - the Sweetness of the SBA with
the Mk6 keywork ;-) ]

The new 'S' is certainly a lot more visible / recognisable from a
distance. Selmer were no slouches at marketing back in the 50's,
donating Mk6s to all the major players to encourage sales to all the
wannabees.

I'm all trivia-ed out, but it beats the flame-wars.
Anybody fancy a game of " WW2-gunshell-brass-is-the-best /
Oh-no-it's-not " ..... ?

-Andy-

[MrWitworth]

LOL!