The Best of Both Worlds –
A Modern Version of the Iconic Selmer Mark VI Alto Sax!
I have been playing and collecting saxophones for over forty years. Today, I am pleased to present the second of three special saxophones from my personal collection that I believe you will love. I sold the first of these three saxophones on eBay last month, and the buyer was delighted with it.
It is a modern version (not a copy) of the iconic Selmer Mark VI alto sax, manufactured in China. Although it emulates the style and sound characteristics of the Selmer Mark VI, it is not merely a copy of that horn. It includes many features and technological innovations that the Mark VI did not have, such as improved intonation and double key arms on the low C, B, and Bb keys to add stability to these keys and prevent them from going out of adjustment.
In addition to the double key arms, the keys are outfitted with blue steel springs, premium leather pads and metal resonators, enhancing the horn's dynamic response. There is also an adjustable metal thumb rest, a front F spatula key and a high F# key for greater ease of playing in the altissimo register. Even my Selmer Mark VI and Selmer Reference 54 saxophones don’t have all of these features!
As impressive as these features are, the best part of this saxophone is its sound! It is a highly responsive, free-blowing horn with a vibrant, warm, resonant tone quality, great dynamics, and spot-on intonation. It has an outstanding range of expression, from the low notes to the soaring altissimo. You can feel it vibrating under your fingers as you play it – this horn just sings!
Pair it with a Theo Wanne metal mouthpiece, and you have the perfect setup for playing lead alto in a jazz or rock band. Pair it with a Selmer hard rubber mouthpiece, and it would be right at home in a wind ensemble or symphonic band. In either setting, the superb tone quality of this horn will have your audience setting up and taking notice!
Another feature that I really like is the "unlacquered" brass patina in a lacquered horn. This finish gives the horn an authentic vintage appearance while protecting it from the staining, pitting, oxidation, and corrosion that unlacquered horns are prone to while enhancing the gorgeous hand-engraving on the bell and bow. A word of caution, however – this saxophone will be mistaken by many for being a Selmer Mark VI, and the resulting attention it will draw from your teachers, bandmates, and fellow musicians may take a little getting used to!
The sax has all its original accessories, including a hard rubber mouthpiece with cap, ligature, reed, neck strap, and a lightweight nylon case with a zippered accessories pouch and shoulder strap.
The myth that Chinese-made horns don't have the same build quality as American, French, German, or Japanese-made horns was put to rest many years ago. See Jay Metcalf’s BetterSax videos on YouTube for a discussion of the high build quality of Chinese-manufactured saxophones and how their sound quality is virtually indistinguishable from professional saxophones costing thousands of dollars more. Here are links to Jay’s YouTube videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCCzmFh9Ayc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3tPErM0P6o
This saxophone has been removed from its case only a few times for play-testing purposes, and as the photos show, it is in mint condition, with no blemishes, nicks, dings, or other imperfections. I purchased it brand new on eBay about five years ago and was so impressed with its sound that I purchased two more and tucked all three of them safely away in my music studio closet! However, it's time to get this excellent horn out of the closet and into the hands of a sax player who can play and appreciate it!
The eBay Factory Clothing Store from which this saxophone was purchased offers many excellent saxophones at affordable prices. They are often sold under the "Structure" model name.
If you are looking for a truly extraordinary alto saxophone with the incredible sound of iconic vintage Selmer saxophones combined with modern technical innovations and features, look no further. Like the Selmer Mark VI, it is inspired by, this horn has that “wow” factor. Whether you are a beginning, intermediate, or professional sax player, this saxophone will serve you well, and you will only enjoy and treasure it more and more the longer you play it.
To the fortunate winning bidder for this amazing saxophone, I congratulate you on your outstanding purchase! Please rest assured that your satisfaction is guaranteed. I want my customers to be delighted with their purchases, and my positive customer feedback and perfect eBay seller feedback rating reflect that. If you’re not happy, I’m not either! If you have any questions about this very special saxophone, please ask!