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The
Better Music began at 53727
"If the serial number
of your Selmer Saxophone is lower than 53727 you're missing all
the good things a Mark VI offers"
"According
to an advert in the late fifties from the US Trade Journal"
Was this the first
Mk VI number? Where is it today?
The name Mark VI signifies that this
is the sixth basic model since Selmer Paris Saxophones were first
introduced and were awarded a gold medal in the St Louis Exposition
in 1904.
Half a century of Selmer progress
culminated in a final 10 years work on the new Mark VI..
New key features included new octave
key coupled with the revolutionary Selmer neck yoke, faster more
positive action. Giant left-hand thumb button for greater comfort,
patent tilting left hand little finger spatula key linking to
C# spatula key for faster interval jumps between low Bb and C
nat,allowing your fingers to slide over passages which have previously
been awkward, greatly improving artliculation.The Gb key on a
seperate pillar obviates the difficult of a sticking key. Adjustable
right-hand thumb hook with contour grip. Powered hammered keys
and all are retained.Further new features include heavier sustaining
ribs for all key posts and reinforcing the rib on the neck.Adjustable
felt bumpers on key guards for individual tuning and volume control
from Eb to low Bb.
These were made according to Selmer
- from 1954- to 1974. However from the serial number above, if
being the first Mk6 to be made , on checking the serial number
list supplied by Selmer it actually dates it as of 1953. I have
also recently sold a Mk6 Tenor dated from the serial number as
being made in 1975. My friend Eric Orchard has a Tenor dated from
1975.
I remember in September 1975 buying
the last remaining 30 Mk6 Alto and Tenors from Selmer London.
So I do not think these serial numbers
on the fringes ('1954' & '1974') reflect nessesary the true
year of manufacture. However to identify a Mk6 from either a Super
Balanced Action(1953) and on the other end a Mk7(1974) would be
obvious. Misleading for some but any reconised Saxophone dealer
can put your mind at ease.
Mk6 Sopranos and Baritones were made
into the early 80's
| Selmer
London Saxopohone and General Woodwind Catalogue from Mid
1950's (Click on page to enlarge) |
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