Selmer Mark VI
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The Selmer Mark VI is a professional model saxophone that is considered the Selmer Company's best saxophone and is preferred by many jazz musicians. These have included John Coltrane, Phil Woods, Paul Desmond, Bob Mintzer, Wayne Shorter, Stanley Turrentine, Michael Brecker, Bob Berg, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Branford Marsalis, Dick Oatts, Eric Marienthal, Peter King and numerous others.
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 model in 1975; however, there were no Mark VII sopranos, sopraninos, baritones, or bass saxes as these continued to be the Mark VI design. 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.
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. It is surmised that the technicians swapped necks 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 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. 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 low A baritone is especially sought after, whereas the low A alto model is somewhat less desirable. Nonetheless, Ornette Coleman plays a low A alto.
