As a fellow Nathan, I have also played a Selmer mark 6. In Jazz band, my alto was so flat, that my teacher gave me her Selmer mark 6. I was so scared to even touch it that I barely played it. It felt decent but the octave key was very stiff.
@@JK-js2td Well if that’s what you’re comfortable on and that’s how you find your sound, then good for you! I’m not here to tell anyone that what works for them is inferior to any other set ups.
Ok look people always say that horns don’t really matter but they totally do! I got a Yamaha custom z recently and the difference in sound as well as just ease of use was night and day between that and my old student horn. When you played the mk 6 I wasn’t expecting a difference but it just sounded soo much better and way more pleasant to me. Sure sure the best sax players can make the worst horns sound good but there’s a reason professionals use professional horns
Totally agreed. I think the differences are very nuanced and only a nit picky artist would care, but it’s just nice to have a horn that’s been the symbol of a jazz saxophone for decades!
I think that if the saxophone is a proffesional horn everything will be a lot more easier But in chinese horns is necessary study and practice more for example embochoure to get a good sound is not impossibible make it soud fantastic but is a little more difficult in comparisson to a proffesional horn becouse that horn helps a lot at the moment of playing I say this becouse I'm from Peru and my currency is of lees value than the dollar and not everyone here can get a proffesional horn. To make you one idea of how we see it here It's like if in usa all the saxofones now don't cost 4000 or 5000 or even 7000 dollars no now is different now they cost 30000 dollars they're too expensive here in latin america and if 7000 dollars is expensive for some of you who erarn your money in dollars, just imagen what happens with us since we need almost 4 soles that is my currency to get just one dollar here in Peru Sorry if I made mistakes here english is not my native language but now I can understand it so I like whatching videos like this
Yeah I have a Yamaha student tenor sax and just bought a vintage selmer super action 80 Serie B and it sounds so much better. The technique on my vintage horn feels so much smooth and the sound is much darker. I feel like there's a slight difference for the listener, but a huge one for the player
@@Saxologic hey man...love the dog too...but i wanted to let u know i think its awesome you got the Selmer VI....ive never played one...my ride or die is the Yamaha 62 also! Mine was a present in my senior year in high school in 1985. It replaced a Bundy II...lol! A gamechanger to say the least. Anyway...still playin sax to this day!!!! Love your channel young sir!!!
@@JK-js2td That Yamaha 62 is great! I believe Patrick Bartley plays on one. If it works for Patrick then it works just fine! Haha. Also thank you good sir I love you!
44th US President Barack H. Obama Must be another idiotic Democ-rat trait! Hope he doesn't get Clinton to teach him. Only thing Clinton knows about it, is which end to blow and guess where he learned that? On his Har Monica which you blow and suck!
You sound great on both but the Mark VI is immediately like a vintage recording. Such a sweet sound. With that being said you also get a very nice sound on the Yamaha.
The Selmer richness of sound is nice in that horn. It will come out even more as you play it. Wait till your mouth is healed because reopening a dental socket can be very painful.
100% agreed about waiting for healing... reopening a socket definitely sucks, happened to me in the middle of a gig once and I literally couldn't finish the set.
@@Saxologic Also necks make a lot of difference (a quote from Jack Finucane). Try swapping necks with bodies and I think the mkVI neck with the 62 will sound more like a mkVI than the other combination.
Yamaha makes several necks for this purpose. The V1 neck was supposedly made to imitate the sound of the VI instead of the older necks like the M1 and G1, they even got clever with the name. I have used the V1 neck for around 10 years, very worth it.
@@sergej100qca4 Try a Mauriat tenor neck in a good Mark 6. You wouldn't believe the difference. Been asked on gigs BY OTHER TENOR PLAYERS "Hey ...Why is that neck a different colour?
@@sergej100qca4 Never tried it that way round but fitting the neck of my Mauriat PM66T to my MKVI has an astounding effect. Opens it up even further. I get asked on gigs, "Why is that 'top bit' a different colour?"
Just to anyone looking at this video and thinking of buying one. You DO NOT need a vintage sax to have a vintage sound. 99.99% of your sound is you and your mouthpiece and reed setup. Imo the mark six is ridiculously overrated and I'm sure we're all aware of the inconsistencies from one mark six to another mark six. Just buy a horn and practice!
About the Hercules stand: there's a nut to the side of that bottom support that can be tightened, so you don't have to keep pushing it down into place. I DON'T know if that would have prevented the failure with the sax in place, as happened here. But it's probably worth tightening that nut on any Hercules stands you may have. Oh, and what did Reynolds recommend instead?
Wanted to chime in here too. So sorry about the Yamaha! I have 2 different types of Hercules stands for gigs, and a double combo w/ a flute peg at home. You're right, they're imperfect from a design perspective, but in their defense, they're solidly built. I'm not sure there are any stands that are more robust. As yourbarista suggests, the bottom support arm can be snugged, otherwise, it can flip up when the horn is removed, and when replacing the horn, one may hear a sickening 'klink' as the bell hits the metal, vertical brace. I've written Hercules suggesting a small redesign, but I didn't hear back from them. Before you give up on them, try their DS630BB Auto Grip Ststem (AGS ), especially for the alto, as the main support doesn't fit an alto bell nearly as well as it does a tenor. The AGS snugs nicely around the alto. You are too funny my brother, and I'm glad you love your MK VI. I had a nice MK VII that I liked.
Bob Reynolds does a quick review of a K&M stand, and gives this link to Amazon: ruclips.net/user/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFpnYTBtVEhab1RCOXlqQW9EMFdrcm1CaWZRQXxBQ3Jtc0tuV2VkTmt6ejZ4d3RlZ2VXM1JoZTNueE5oVU1VYXN1Q0JQdncyV24wWXdXOEl1TlFxR2thZzdwQmRSRW80MDBuSlRhVDhyUmk3TUJrOVVhWWVYRGRzVUxlQno2dW1NeV93TmdOOEkyZ1o0dXFlb1Y5Zw&q=http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2E0Cq2e
Nathan, when I got my VI in 1968 I felt the same way. I had been playing for 5 years on the Martin my great uncle got used for mom in the 1930’s. After 5 years of teaching myself to play and years of effort convincing my parents to get a Selmer I finally got…. Lessons! My teacher was an L.A. studio player … so soon he agreed it was time to replace the Martin. He was able to snag me a brand new VI from a shipment just arrived off the boat… $450! I have loved and cared for this horn for 55 years now. My parents had dragged out the purchase for years hoping I would drop playing. Dad passed about 15 years ago and Mom is 94, I am still playing this same horn (178332) 54 years later. The lacquer looks almost new, no dents. Last year I let a repairman work on it… for the first time in 50 years the g# doesn’t stick… what a joy not to have to lift that pad by hand before every session! I am sure there are better horns out there, but how would I know for sure as I will only play my VI! I plan to ask my kids to find a serious young sax student to pass it on to (do you think we can get $450 for it now?) when the time comes. BTW, my original case cover looks like yours without the pocket and is a vinyl material with a broken zipper. It has protected the tray pack case. Now I use a hard shell Arline case which looks like an armored gig bag, and saves that original case. Enjoy your VI, I am looking forward to hearing you doing some serious playing on that. Terry
I'm a guitar player, never played a saxophone in my life, but when you explained how the key travel is much smaller and the side E is much flatter, i thought "oh, obviously that's why I've been struggling so far, i just need to get that Selmer"
I’ve been playing for 50 years now, I’ve played many a MK VI and I never felt or heard the magic. Wound up playing a 7 tenor for a long time. I enjoy your videos.
Oohhhh Bro! Sounds sooooo good. Congrats on that beauty! After years of playing cheap stuff, I got myself a Selmer mark VI tenor when I was about 21. I’m 35 now, never touched another tenor since! Nothing else compares imo.
Chris Fraser. Agree 100% (same applies to Otto Link Florida mouthpieces) but Mk 6s are getting lower in quantity and higher in price. Have a look at a Peter Mauriat, PM 66R. Aimed at Mk 6 would be owners. Somebody new to it will just fall for it. A Mk6 player or a nostalgic, ex Mk6 player will recognise it instantly. Any one with both, will swap comfortably between the two with the greatest of ease but will stop on the Mauriat PM 66R . R means rolled tone holes. The octave lever on the neck even says MK 6.
As a representative from the bari community, we forgive you.. because you sound awesome on that Mark VI. ..and which model bari were you originally aiming for?
I've got a Mark VI baritone with the low A key. I really didn't appreciate it until recently. It has a lot of sentimental value, as my parents had bought it for me new as a graduation present many years ago, but that was about it. However, my dream of a being a professional musician didn't pan out, and so the sax has been gathering dust in my basement for decades. A couple of years before everything shut down, I joined a bunch of older amateurs who got together twice a week to have some fun. When I showed up for the first time, it was as if I had arrived at a car show driving a mint vintage Ferrari. One guy gave me his business card and offered to buy it if I ever decided to sell it. I finally did some research, and have a much better idea of what I have. I don't have the skills to take full advantage of it, nor the ears to fully appreciate it's sound quality, but I am really having fun playing it again. Hopefully the band will get back together in a few months.
VI sounds fantastic! Definitely a good one - amber lacquer Sanborn-era. It will only hold value, too, so it's a fantastic financial investment as well.
In 1972 my mother got me a MKVI when I was in high school. I was playing my old Busher Aristocrat student model until then. I will never forget how I was playing unintentional grace notes with the MKVI it responded so much quicker. She paid $665 dollars for it new in 1971. I still have it today
Lovely horns, not comparable to Stradivarius. MK VI’s became really expensive and coveted because wealthy collectors from Asia and elsewhere were buying them all up at ridiculous prices (middle finger to actual saxophonists). Still awesome horns, congrats 🍾. Try to correct the puffing cheeks while you’re young but sounds good. 👍🎷
Dude. You are so humble about your playing abilities. I don't think you have EVAAAR had a video where you say "Here's what I can do". Stay humble brotha!!
Just had to say you have a great sound on both your altos. Can't believe you've only played 11yrs. Congratulations on your Mk6, I know you wont regret getting it. (I was lucky to get a 1957) We all need to hear you once you've played it in for a year. It will feel like its part of your body!! haha
Forget it they're not that special! Remember Mike Brecker would sound awesome on a Jupiter. It's in your head your hooked on names. I bet you'd sell it if someone said hey I have a 5 digit horn 😂
I think it's one-upism at its finest, but if RUclipsrs keep saying that Mark VI is the second coming, then it drives their values up because people blindly believe them. Do the same test with a modern Selmer vs a Yamaha and you are probably going to notice similar tonal differences. Id rather take the mark vi money and buy a brand new Selmer. I guess the mark vi does come with a free can of smug
It’s a 1967 I HAVE A 144382 Alto and it’s my main horn and a DREAM COME True. The case is perhaps a SUPER ACTION 80 II Case but still a Great CASE so welcome to the Brother Hood
I hear a lot of criticism about the Mark 6, but I ask will Sax players 30-50 year from not be looking for a 2022 Yani or Yamaha? Selmer had to stop producing the 6 because their own creation became their biggest competitor. People love the. Intake Mark 6’s , but SN means nothing. I have a 71 Tenor that I would be put up against any 5 digit horn. But Selmer has a sound that no other horn can attain, it’s like a Grow or a Raspy throaty tone.
Yes, I know you're in college, and I'm in middle school band, but my band director ALWAYS said to keep your cheeks IN. NOT TO BLOW THEM OUT. IT helps with the airflow through the reed.
I bought my first Mark VI this month it is an Alto, serial number 140xxx as well, so made around 1966. I purchased it from my former band instructor. The horn smokes. It’s not just a placebo effect - listeners notice a positive difference right away. We’re very blessed to have these horns that are also historical treasures and works of art.
Now that you have this Mark VI, you need to insure it against theft and damage. Since they are rare and costly, you must get it insured, taking photos, videos of it for the insurance policy. Players spend many years searching for and trying to afford a "dream instrument" and once they find it, they need to protect it, the way you would protect an infant son or daughter. Instruments are damaged and stolen by others every day. Never let it out of your sight in a club, or concert, and never leave it near a back door or in a place where you can't watch it. When possible, keep it in a locked case, and chain or cable that case to another secure or heavy object, like a piano leg. Under the piano is always a safe place to protect it and watch it.
Yo I’ve been watching so many of your vids and a lot of other sax player RUclips videos and I just had to go cop myself an alto. Only 225 and it seems pretty good. But thank you for inspiring me to get this 👍👍
I’m a professional bassist and I got really inspired to learn sax after gettin hip to Gary Bartz who’s one of my dopplegangers 😂 but of course Coltrane and Yussef Lateef too! Gonna buy one by the end of the year, cain’t wait to shed. Keep it up bro! Glad you got the horn you wanted 🙌🏽
I bought a 1939 Conn 10m a few months back and my parents who know nothing about saxophones said the difference was that the Conn didn't sound like a metal tube at all compared to my old horn. I think that's the difference in sound between valued vintage horns and student horns; hard to describe but you can just feel it.
I've been playing a 1926 chu berry for the last 4 years and I love it .my mark iv i played for over 30 years sits in the closet.the conn is not as ergonomically advanced as the 6 but suits my style better.
I know the feeling - back in 2008 I got the opportunity to buy a 1918 Buescher alto (yes, it's progressed from vintage to antique by now). The sound and feel of these old instruments is incredible!
I had a very similar experience switching from a YAS-62s to a MK VI 119XXX. I love the sound, feel and it just vibrates making you feel connected to the Saxophone. Now for a young saxophonist out there getting one of these won’t make you a better player only practice and you guessed it more practice.
I wonder how the yamaha would compare if you got it set up. I'm sure you could get the key action changed, which would probably make it play a lot more like the mark VI
Wow that's exciting! I'm really surprised by the level of difference (I have the YAS62 as well). My tenor is a purple logo YTS62 and I thinks that's a much better instrument than the modern alto. Still the Selmer sounds awesome. That tone is instantly classic jazz. I'm as jealous as hell!
For those who do not want to plunk down 7K for one of these (or do not feel you can justify it if you're a hobby player), there is always another vintage option that many believe is on par with a Mark VI -- a King Super 20, which can often be had for 1/3 of that price. You may be aware of a forum called saxontheweb, which has been around for over 20 years. I will never forget a thread posted on it several years ago by a guy named Al (I wonder if he is still kicking?). It was one of those blind tests called a "Tenor Shootout" featuring unidentified sound clips of him playing four classic vintage tenors: 1) a 5-digit Selmer Mark VI; 2) a late Cleveland King Super 20; 3) a Conn 10M; and 4) a Buescher Tru-Tone. The way these blind tests work is that the first one to identify all of the horns correctly wins a "no prize." Well, I must humbly reply that I got them all right. But there was this "Distinguished Member" (a middle school band director, if a recall) who was somewhat cocky and a bit of a Selmer snob, claiming he had played "hundreds" of Mark VI's in his day (something that at least one other forum member expressed their skepticism about). But how rich was this? That self-proclaimed Selmer expert guessed incorrectly that the sound clip of the King Super 20 was the 5-digit Mark VI!! LOL There was hardly any doubt that the Super 20 was by far the best sounding tenor in the bunch, so it's not really a surprise that he and several others mistook it for the Mark VI. But it was a teachable moment (no pun intended) -- the 5-digit VI is not necessarily the best sounding horn out there. And there are many horns that are its equal -- or even better -- in the tone department. And when it comes to playability (action/ergos) many feel the Super 20 is at least as slick as the Selmer. Food for thought....
Congratulations!! The case and outer cover look unused but the horn has no lacquer so a real "player". Maybe not the original case for that horn, or the previous owner used another case for gigging, maybe? Curious, for another $1k or so you could have bought a new Selmer Supreme. But as a MVI player, I love mine. It's a bit less vintage, 72-73. Enjoy
Definitely a little over a $2k and it won’t have nearly as much value in 3 -5 years. Plus the sound… I’ve played the Supreme and several Mark VIs. I own a Mark VI. Lastly Mark VIs are all vintage horns at this point and his serial number is 140XXX which puts his alto produced around the year 1966 according to Selmer’s website. Very much so vintage.
Congratulations bro …welcome to the club. I just got my Mark VI this year as well, played a few decided with the 178xxx serial number. It was freshly overhauled and plays beautifully.
Pretty good video. I always dreamed about a mark vi as well. And of course I have one. I’m about to buy a Yamaha 875EX for a back up. But you are correct about their downfalls. Keys are not always in the right place and they’re a little harder to push down. But Yamahas do have a great intonation. I think you will find out your mark six is harder to play in tune. But as you say all keys right where they need to be and the core of it is unmatched.The yanigasawa does rival the feel of the fingers to the mark six. .
As someone who has owned a MK VI, I can appreciate your sense of anticipation at the mere thought of playing a MK VI. I had a MK VI tenor that I owned for 20 years, then had to part company with it because I had grown accustomed to living indoors. I was bummed for awhile, but got over it. Got out of playing for some years, then bought a German made Kohlert on eBay, sight-unseen, not tested, that I was pleasantly surprised with. Enjoy the VI kiddo, play the hell out of it. I still laugh out loud when I think of the YT vid you appeared in, playing the “classical saxophonist.” Hilarious.
Kenny G wishes you - - - Oops! Ouch! Regrets! I meant to say that KENNY GARRETT wishes you more than the very best on that "bad boy" which is causing you to be "nervous". That's a verbal "inversion"; isn't it? Stellar tonal quality and impeccable liquidity, Mr. Jazzman. Informative review! "Have a good day!" 😘 "Oh, my God!"
Regarding your Yamaha’s key action, you could always have it adjusted to be more closed or open, or looser. Might be some changes in sound with a change in key heights, but could be worth a try if you prefer a quicker action.
I typically don't believe the instrument makes a better sounding musician. This is definitely an exception... I started getting booked alllllll the time after I brought my m6 home. Enjoy it in good health, homes!
The Super Action ("SBA") alto is even better. I have owned examples of both. Selmer offered Paul Desmond a Mark VI alto when they were new. He politely declined.
Bro you were burning on that little clip you did for the UNT guy Been hearing you do meme videos so far, and could tell by the tone u are a real player. Nice to see I was right :)
Now my mark 6 sits in a box for the most as most music nowadays likes the sound of a smoother horn. I’ll say honestly after going full circle and becoming MUCH MUCH better at horn than I was a year ago I’ll say without a shadow of a doubt that an axos sounds and plays better for modern music, a cannonball Albright special actually outplays them all. I can make the cannonball sound like any other type of sax but a mark 6 or selmer cannot sound like a cannonball or Yamaha. The one thing selmer excel at is a tradition wide open classic sound. But honestly everyone says the cannonball sounds the best and I blind tested with several players and myself.
Love your playing! I play a YAS-875 and love it. Have you tried that horn? Yamaha is definitely a brighter sounding horn than the Mark VI! I find myself playing darker sounding mouthpieces on the Yamaha in order to approach that traditional 1950s sound.
8:35 The key design and the sheer ergonomics of the feel of the Mark VI fits the player's hands like a pair of fine leather gloves. For the amount of air and energy you blow into the horn, it will give you back far more music, sound and soul than other saxophones. You will realize this very quickly after playing it, because within seconds, the horn plays you.
that mark 6 really has a different BODY to the sound I would say the only downside or pseudo-benefit to the mark-6 is that it's not the most "in-tune" instrument blessing in disguise I would say still, the little adjustments is what gives a musician their own sound!
Glad you are ecstatic over the new horn. I also own a Mark I Yamaha 62 that I love and am going between getting either an 82ZII or Selmer Mark VI, both in silver since I’ve always wanted a silver horn. I found a Mark VI from around 1972 that I’m thinking of buying/trying…we’ll see how it goes!
I am so happy this horn went to Nathan! I knew it would be a perfect match for him!!! Sounding beautiful, glad to have passed it on to you.
You are a good man!
Good on you getting these horns into good players hands for fair prices.
As a fellow Nathan, I have also played a Selmer mark 6. In Jazz band, my alto was so flat, that my teacher gave me her Selmer mark 6. I was so scared to even touch it that I barely played it. It felt decent but the octave key was very stiff.
The Yamaha threw itself off of the stand, it knew it couldn’t compare.
😂
I dont know about that...im a Yamaha man...been since 1985!🎷
Hail lord gonk.
jisatsu saxo!
@@JK-js2td Well if that’s what you’re comfortable on and that’s how you find your sound, then good for you! I’m not here to tell anyone that what works for them is inferior to any other set ups.
Exactly! The Mark VI wins any day over any Yamaha!
I literally got chills when you started playing the mark 6 Jesus man.
M a s o n🎷
AGREED!!!
Ok look people always say that horns don’t really matter but they totally do! I got a Yamaha custom z recently and the difference in sound as well as just ease of use was night and day between that and my old student horn. When you played the mk 6 I wasn’t expecting a difference but it just sounded soo much better and way more pleasant to me. Sure sure the best sax players can make the worst horns sound good but there’s a reason professionals use professional horns
Totally agreed. I think the differences are very nuanced and only a nit picky artist would care, but it’s just nice to have a horn that’s been the symbol of a jazz saxophone for decades!
@@Saxologic yeah man I’m so happy for you the horn sounds absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
I think that if the saxophone is a proffesional horn everything will be a lot more easier
But in chinese horns is necessary study and practice more for example embochoure to get a good sound is not impossibible make it soud fantastic but is a little more difficult in comparisson to a proffesional horn becouse that horn helps a lot at the moment of playing
I say this becouse I'm from Peru and my currency is of lees value than the dollar and not everyone here can get a proffesional horn. To make you one idea of how we see it here
It's like if in usa all the saxofones now don't cost 4000 or 5000 or even 7000 dollars no now is different now they cost 30000 dollars they're too expensive here in latin america and if 7000 dollars is expensive for some of you who erarn your money in dollars, just imagen what happens with us since we need almost 4 soles that is my currency to get just one dollar here in Peru
Sorry if I made mistakes here english is not my native language but now I can understand it so I like whatching videos like this
They matter when you have reached a certain degree of playing like at a certain point a student sax with a good mouthpiece just doesn’t cut it
Yeah I have a Yamaha student tenor sax and just bought a vintage selmer super action 80 Serie B and it sounds so much better. The technique on my vintage horn feels so much smooth and the sound is much darker. I feel like there's a slight difference for the listener, but a huge one for the player
This is so cool, but I'm too focused on the fact your dog is frickin adorable.
He is a masterful dog
@@Saxologic hey man...love the dog too...but i wanted to let u know i think its awesome you got the Selmer VI....ive never played one...my ride or die is the Yamaha 62 also! Mine was a present in my senior year in high school in 1985. It replaced a Bundy II...lol! A gamechanger to say the least. Anyway...still playin sax to this day!!!! Love your channel young sir!!!
@@JK-js2td That Yamaha 62 is great! I believe Patrick Bartley plays on one. If it works for Patrick then it works just fine! Haha. Also thank you good sir I love you!
@@Saxologic thanks for the response, kind young sir! I will chime in again...as James Brown famously said...Keep it on the Good Foot! 👞 🎷😉
HE DID IT
HE ACTUALLY CONSIDERED GETTING A BARI
Michelle…
44th US President Barack H. Obama
Must be another idiotic Democ-rat trait!
Hope he doesn't get Clinton to teach him.
Only thing Clinton knows about it, is which end to blow and guess where he learned that? On his Har Monica which you blow and suck!
You sound great on both but the Mark VI is immediately like a vintage recording. Such a sweet sound.
With that being said you also get a very nice sound on the Yamaha.
oVErtHetArGEt
Very good point but I think that you mean Mark VI (6). I don't think that they ever made a Mark IV (4).
I got goosebumps 8:03 😩
SOUNDS AWESOME!!
I miss u
Nice! Must've been exciting! Happy practicing!
Thank you flute goddess!
The Selmer richness of sound is nice in that horn. It will come out even more as you play it. Wait till your mouth is healed because reopening a dental socket can be very painful.
So true about the richness of the Selmers. I feel it on my Reference.
100% agreed about waiting for healing... reopening a socket definitely sucks, happened to me in the middle of a gig once and I literally couldn't finish the set.
The mkVI is so much fuller and darker. Very beautiful tone I'm kinda jealous.
I am sure a darker mouthpiece or reed could substitute for it! No need to spend $6,500 for such a slight sound difference
@@Saxologic Also necks make a lot of difference (a quote from Jack Finucane). Try swapping necks with bodies and I think the mkVI neck with the 62 will sound more like a mkVI than the other combination.
Yamaha makes several necks for this purpose. The V1 neck was supposedly made to imitate the sound of the VI instead of the older necks like the M1 and G1, they even got clever with the name. I have used the V1 neck for around 10 years, very worth it.
@@sergej100qca4
Try a Mauriat tenor neck in a good Mark 6. You wouldn't believe the difference.
Been asked on gigs BY OTHER TENOR PLAYERS "Hey ...Why is that neck a different colour?
@@sergej100qca4 Never tried it that way round but fitting the neck of my Mauriat PM66T to my MKVI has an astounding effect. Opens it up even further. I get asked on gigs, "Why is that 'top bit' a different colour?"
Just to anyone looking at this video and thinking of buying one.
You DO NOT need a vintage sax to have a vintage sound. 99.99% of your sound is you and your mouthpiece and reed setup.
Imo the mark six is ridiculously overrated and I'm sure we're all aware of the inconsistencies from one mark six to another mark six.
Just buy a horn and practice!
The MkVI obviously is a fantastic and iconic horn but well said, mouthpiece and reed are most of the sound.
9:24
@@Saxologic Also well said :)
@@Saxologic Do you like Vince Guaraldi's music?
I totally agree with you Kevin!!! Well said sir!
About the Hercules stand: there's a nut to the side of that bottom support that can be tightened, so you don't have to keep pushing it down into place. I DON'T know if that would have prevented the failure with the sax in place, as happened here. But it's probably worth tightening that nut on any Hercules stands you may have. Oh, and what did Reynolds recommend instead?
Wanted to chime in here too. So sorry about the Yamaha! I have 2 different types of Hercules stands for gigs, and a double combo w/ a flute peg at home. You're right, they're imperfect from a design perspective, but in their defense, they're solidly built. I'm not sure there are any stands that are more robust. As yourbarista suggests, the bottom support arm can be snugged, otherwise, it can flip up when the horn is removed, and when replacing the horn, one may hear a sickening 'klink' as the bell hits the metal, vertical brace. I've written Hercules suggesting a small redesign, but I didn't hear back from them. Before you give up on them, try their DS630BB Auto Grip Ststem (AGS ), especially for the alto, as the main support doesn't fit an alto bell nearly as well as it does a tenor. The AGS snugs nicely around the alto. You are too funny my brother, and I'm glad you love your MK VI. I had a nice MK VII that I liked.
Bob Reynolds does a quick review of a K&M stand, and gives this link to Amazon: ruclips.net/user/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFpnYTBtVEhab1RCOXlqQW9EMFdrcm1CaWZRQXxBQ3Jtc0tuV2VkTmt6ejZ4d3RlZ2VXM1JoZTNueE5oVU1VYXN1Q0JQdncyV24wWXdXOEl1TlFxR2thZzdwQmRSRW80MDBuSlRhVDhyUmk3TUJrOVVhWWVYRGRzVUxlQno2dW1NeV93TmdOOEkyZ1o0dXFlb1Y5Zw&q=http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2E0Cq2e
Saxrax is my favorite. It'll never fall off unless you knock the whole thing over
Nathan, when I got my VI in 1968 I felt the same way. I had been playing for 5 years on the Martin my great uncle got used for mom in the 1930’s. After 5 years of teaching myself to play and years of effort convincing my parents to get a Selmer I finally got…. Lessons! My teacher was an L.A. studio player … so soon he agreed it was time to replace the Martin. He was able to snag me a brand new VI from a shipment just arrived off the boat… $450!
I have loved and cared for this horn for 55 years now. My parents had dragged out the purchase for years hoping I would drop playing. Dad passed about 15 years ago and Mom is 94, I am still playing this same horn (178332) 54 years later. The lacquer looks almost new, no dents. Last year I let a repairman work on it… for the first time in 50 years the g# doesn’t stick… what a joy not to have to lift that pad by hand before every session!
I am sure there are better horns out there, but how would I know for sure as I will only play my VI!
I plan to ask my kids to find a serious young sax student to pass it on to (do you think we can get $450 for it now?) when the time comes.
BTW, my original case cover looks like yours without the pocket and is a vinyl material with a broken zipper. It has protected the tray pack case. Now I use a hard shell Arline case which looks like an armored gig bag, and saves that original case.
Enjoy your VI, I am looking forward to hearing you doing some serious playing on that.
Terry
178332 would be 1970 or 71 not 68.
Please don't get a dry socket
And yes, the "i need xyz" sax is just overrated. So many good horns these days
You can pry my silver Yas-62 out of cold dead hands.
I'm a guitar player, never played a saxophone in my life, but when you explained how the key travel is much smaller and the side E is much flatter, i thought "oh, obviously that's why I've been struggling so far, i just need to get that Selmer"
these knife edits keep getting scarier, it almost makes me wonder when...
I’ve been playing for 50 years now, I’ve played many a MK VI and I never felt or heard the magic. Wound up playing a 7 tenor for a long time. I enjoy your videos.
Bro playing 2 days after wisdom teeth surgery??? You're nuts!! So stoked to see the vi though, also love that tune Chega De Saudade!
Oohhhh Bro! Sounds sooooo good. Congrats on that beauty!
After years of playing cheap stuff, I got myself a Selmer mark VI tenor when I was about 21. I’m 35 now, never touched another tenor since! Nothing else compares imo.
I totally see the hype now! Granted, I did get pretty lucky on scoring a good one on my first buy, thanks to trustworthy Tim Lin.
@@Saxologic 100% Big up to Tim Lin! Keep up the great work. Love the channel, my guy!
Chris Fraser.
Agree 100% (same applies to Otto Link Florida mouthpieces) but Mk 6s are getting lower in quantity and higher in price.
Have a look at a Peter Mauriat, PM 66R. Aimed at Mk 6 would be owners. Somebody new to it will just fall for it. A Mk6 player or a nostalgic, ex Mk6 player will recognise it instantly.
Any one with both, will swap comfortably between the two with the greatest of ease but will stop on the Mauriat PM 66R . R means rolled tone holes. The octave lever on the neck even says MK 6.
I got one when I was £18 for £80! I am 76 now and still got it.
As a representative from the bari community, we forgive you.. because you sound awesome on that Mark VI.
..and which model bari were you originally aiming for?
The name of it sounds like an iron man suit
I've got a Mark VI baritone with the low A key. I really didn't appreciate it until recently. It has a lot of sentimental value, as my parents had bought it for me new as a graduation present many years ago, but that was about it. However, my dream of a being a professional musician didn't pan out, and so the sax has been gathering dust in my basement for decades. A couple of years before everything shut down, I joined a bunch of older amateurs who got together twice a week to have some fun. When I showed up for the first time, it was as if I had arrived at a car show driving a mint vintage Ferrari. One guy gave me his business card and offered to buy it if I ever decided to sell it. I finally did some research, and have a much better idea of what I have. I don't have the skills to take full advantage of it, nor the ears to fully appreciate it's sound quality, but I am really having fun playing it again. Hopefully the band will get back together in a few months.
He loves my art studio I see. Haha
VI sounds fantastic! Definitely a good one - amber lacquer Sanborn-era. It will only hold value, too, so it's a fantastic financial investment as well.
Thank you sir Sax Spy!
started playing sax this year and even tho i understand like 10% of what you're talking about i binge watch your stuff all the time keep it up dude!!
I've been playing for 31 years and dream of holding such a Sax 🎷
In 1972 my mother got me a MKVI when I was in high school. I was playing my old Busher Aristocrat student model until then. I will never forget how I was playing unintentional grace notes with the MKVI it responded so much quicker. She paid $665 dollars for it new in 1971. I still have it today
Hey I also play on a 1939 buescher aristocrat model! I love the tone but might be wanting to chnage to a mark six at the end of highschool
The Selmer is more centered, and has a focused core to the sound.
Lovely horns, not comparable to Stradivarius. MK VI’s became really expensive and coveted because wealthy collectors from Asia and elsewhere were buying them all up at ridiculous prices (middle finger to actual saxophonists). Still awesome horns, congrats 🍾. Try to correct the puffing cheeks while you’re young but sounds good. 👍🎷
Dude. You are so humble about your playing abilities. I don't think you have EVAAAR had a video where you say "Here's what I can do".
Stay humble brotha!!
How can I flex when guys like Andrew Gould and Chad LB exist? Haha
Just had to say you have a great sound on both your altos. Can't believe you've only played 11yrs. Congratulations on your Mk6, I know you wont regret getting it. (I was lucky to get a 1957) We all need to hear you once you've played it in for a year. It will feel like its part of your body!! haha
DAMN! There's a reason why it's the GOAT. Appreciate the breakdown of the ergonomics.
Great opportunity to review Patrick bartley solo on after you've gone
The Mark VI isn't dark, it's normal. The Yamaha is thin and bright.
Agreed, Yamaha's are weak horns...
Absolute twaddle
Forget it they're not that special! Remember Mike Brecker would sound awesome on a Jupiter. It's in your head your hooked on names. I bet you'd sell it if someone said hey I have a 5 digit horn 😂
Same thought, but he having fun and this is point of importance
I think it's one-upism at its finest, but if RUclipsrs keep saying that Mark VI is the second coming, then it drives their values up because people blindly believe them. Do the same test with a modern Selmer vs a Yamaha and you are probably going to notice similar tonal differences. Id rather take the mark vi money and buy a brand new Selmer. I guess the mark vi does come with a free can of smug
It’s a 1967 I HAVE A 144382 Alto and it’s my main horn and a DREAM COME True. The case is perhaps a SUPER ACTION 80 II Case but still a Great CASE so welcome to the Brother Hood
I hear a lot of criticism about the Mark 6, but I ask will Sax players 30-50 year from not be looking for a 2022 Yani or Yamaha? Selmer had to stop producing the 6 because their own creation became their biggest competitor. People love the. Intake Mark 6’s , but SN means nothing. I have a 71 Tenor that I would be put up against any 5 digit horn. But Selmer has a sound that no other horn can attain, it’s like a Grow or a Raspy throaty tone.
Yes, I know you're in college, and I'm in middle school band, but my band director ALWAYS said to keep your cheeks IN. NOT TO BLOW THEM OUT. IT helps with the airflow through the reed.
I bought my first Mark VI this month it is an Alto, serial number 140xxx as well, so made around 1966. I purchased it from my former band instructor. The horn smokes. It’s not just a placebo effect - listeners notice a positive difference right away. We’re very blessed to have these horns that are also historical treasures and works of art.
Now that you have this Mark VI, you need to insure it against theft and damage. Since they are rare and costly, you must get it insured, taking photos, videos of it for the insurance policy. Players spend many years searching for and trying to afford a "dream instrument" and once they find it, they need to protect it, the way you would protect an infant son or daughter. Instruments are damaged and stolen by others every day. Never let it out of your sight in a club, or concert, and never leave it near a back door or in a place where you can't watch it. When possible, keep it in a locked case, and chain or cable that case to another secure or heavy object, like a piano leg. Under the piano is always a safe place to protect it and watch it.
The Yamaha saxophone attempted to suicide himself when he saw the new arrivant... lol
Oooooo. Did the pulled wisdom tooth + saxophone thing. Not recommended!!! Look up 'dry socket'.
Yo I’ve been watching so many of your vids and a lot of other sax player RUclips videos and I just had to go cop myself an alto. Only 225 and it seems pretty good. But thank you for inspiring me to get this 👍👍
Great horn. Such a noticeable different in the timbre from the very first note you played on the Selmer.
Thats cool but like. Don't run it over
I think you have fun 🎷😊👍nice greetings from germany 😉🙃🎷
I’m a professional bassist and I got really inspired to learn sax after gettin hip to Gary Bartz who’s one of my dopplegangers 😂 but of course Coltrane and Yussef Lateef too! Gonna buy one by the end of the year, cain’t wait to shed. Keep it up bro! Glad you got the horn you wanted 🙌🏽
Brill investment, in five ten years wow, the sound well your a reborn getz.
my insides are screaming out of jealousy, thats my dream horn!!!!
I bought a 1939 Conn 10m a few months back and my parents who know nothing about saxophones said the difference was that the Conn didn't sound like a metal tube at all compared to my old horn. I think that's the difference in sound between valued vintage horns and student horns; hard to describe but you can just feel it.
I've been playing a 1926 chu berry for the last 4 years and I love it .my mark iv i played for over 30 years sits in the closet.the conn is not as ergonomically advanced as the 6 but suits my style better.
I know the feeling - back in 2008 I got the opportunity to buy a 1918 Buescher alto (yes, it's progressed from vintage to antique by now). The sound and feel of these old instruments is incredible!
@@poppacapps5573 I have 1925 chu tenor it sounds amazing almost 100 years old and it plays great
I had a very similar experience switching from a YAS-62s to a MK VI 119XXX. I love the sound, feel and it just vibrates making you feel connected to the Saxophone. Now for a young saxophonist out there getting one of these won’t make you a better player only practice and you guessed it more practice.
Man congratulations! Looking forward to more videos featuring your Mark VI
I wonder how the yamaha would compare if you got it set up. I'm sure you could get the key action changed, which would probably make it play a lot more like the mark VI
Congrats man that's awesome! I love dogs as well, raising a puppy is the funnest experience. Mark VI is cool too I guess.
I just love you man him in the video: xxxjdjsjqbqnwme
First again!
Can some one buy me some ice cream because my horn is not working 😭😭😭
Wow that's exciting! I'm really surprised by the level of difference (I have the YAS62 as well). My tenor is a purple logo YTS62 and I thinks that's a much better instrument than the modern alto. Still the Selmer sounds awesome. That tone is instantly classic jazz. I'm as jealous as hell!
My Favourite Channel on RUclips been following from day one ☝️ best wishes Paul from 🎷🇬🇧#saxocoustic_channel❤️🇬🇧
The dog joke 🤣
Yes sir
My dad has had a tenor Mk VI since he was in high school and it’s really cool to be able to play on it regularly as a sax player myself
For those who do not want to plunk down 7K for one of these (or do not feel you can justify it if you're a hobby player), there is always another vintage option that many believe is on par with a Mark VI -- a King Super 20, which can often be had for 1/3 of that price.
You may be aware of a forum called saxontheweb, which has been around for over 20 years. I will never forget a thread posted on it several years ago by a guy named Al (I wonder if he is still kicking?). It was one of those blind tests called a "Tenor Shootout" featuring unidentified sound clips of him playing four classic vintage tenors: 1) a 5-digit Selmer Mark VI; 2) a late Cleveland King Super 20; 3) a Conn 10M; and 4) a Buescher Tru-Tone.
The way these blind tests work is that the first one to identify all of the horns correctly wins a "no prize." Well, I must humbly reply that I got them all right. But there was this "Distinguished Member" (a middle school band director, if a recall) who was somewhat cocky and a bit of a Selmer snob, claiming he had played "hundreds" of Mark VI's in his day (something that at least one other forum member expressed their skepticism about). But how rich was this? That self-proclaimed Selmer expert guessed incorrectly that the sound clip of the King Super 20 was the 5-digit Mark VI!! LOL
There was hardly any doubt that the Super 20 was by far the best sounding tenor in the bunch, so it's not really a surprise that he and several others mistook it for the Mark VI. But it was a teachable moment (no pun intended) -- the 5-digit VI is not necessarily the best sounding horn out there. And there are many horns that are its equal -- or even better -- in the tone department. And when it comes to playability (action/ergos) many feel the Super 20 is at least as slick as the Selmer.
Food for thought....
Question is, are you gonna sticker that bad boi up?
Congratulations!! The case and outer cover look unused but the horn has no lacquer so a real "player". Maybe not the original case for that horn, or the previous owner used another case for gigging, maybe? Curious, for another $1k or so you could have bought a new Selmer Supreme. But as a MVI player, I love mine. It's a bit less vintage, 72-73. Enjoy
Definitely a little over a $2k and it won’t have nearly as much value in 3 -5 years. Plus the sound… I’ve played the Supreme and several Mark VIs. I own a Mark VI.
Lastly Mark VIs are all vintage horns at this point and his serial number is 140XXX which puts his alto produced around the year 1966 according to Selmer’s website. Very much so vintage.
Congratulations bro …welcome to the club. I just got my Mark VI this year as well, played a few decided with the 178xxx serial number. It was freshly overhauled and plays beautifully.
Always love the sound of a good mark 6
this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for 🗿
0:03 POV when you didnt practice for your weekly lesson
Yeahhh! Vai BRASIL! 7:34
Pretty good video. I always dreamed about a mark vi as well. And of course I have one. I’m about to buy a Yamaha 875EX for a back up. But you are correct about their downfalls. Keys are not always in the right place and they’re a little harder to push down. But Yamahas do have a great intonation. I think you will find out your mark six is harder to play in tune. But as you say all keys right where they need to be and the core of it is unmatched.The yanigasawa does rival the feel of the fingers to the mark six. .
MT brasil
That thumbnail got me feeling some type of way 😫😫😫😫
I thought thumbnail had me feeling some type of way but 2:39 just hit diff 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
I don't even play sax, how did I get here?
Welcome non-sax man!
@@Saxologic the legend! What's good fam! Greetings from Chicago
As someone who has owned a MK VI, I can appreciate your sense of anticipation at the mere thought of playing a MK VI. I had a MK VI tenor that I owned for 20 years, then had to part company with it because I had grown accustomed to living indoors. I was bummed for awhile, but got over it. Got out of playing for some years, then bought a German made Kohlert on eBay, sight-unseen, not tested, that I was pleasantly surprised with. Enjoy the VI kiddo, play the hell out of it. I still laugh out loud when I think of the YT vid you appeared in, playing the “classical saxophonist.” Hilarious.
Kenny G wishes you - - -
Oops! Ouch! Regrets!
I meant to say that KENNY GARRETT wishes you more than the very best on that "bad boy" which is causing you to be "nervous".
That's a verbal "inversion"; isn't it?
Stellar tonal quality and impeccable liquidity, Mr. Jazzman.
Informative review!
"Have a good day!" 😘
"Oh, my God!"
I see what you did there :)
Tocando João Gilberto/Tom Jobim meu Deus, top!!!!!!!
Regarding your Yamaha’s key action, you could always have it adjusted to be more closed or open, or looser. Might be some changes in sound with a change in key heights, but could be worth a try if you prefer a quicker action.
I typically don't believe the instrument makes a better sounding musician. This is definitely an exception... I started getting booked alllllll the time after I brought my m6 home. Enjoy it in good health, homes!
I feel you bro! It was surreal getting the VI! When I looked at your vid, it bought so many good memories!
Hello
The Super Action ("SBA") alto is even better. I have owned examples of both. Selmer offered Paul Desmond a Mark VI alto when they were new. He politely declined.
but frfr though if I had the cash Id buy everything Tim lin posts within seconds!
Bro you were burning on that little clip you did for the UNT guy
Been hearing you do meme videos so far, and could tell by the tone u are a real player. Nice to see I was right :)
Lucky man
Now my mark 6 sits in a box for the most as most music nowadays likes the sound of a smoother horn. I’ll say honestly after going full circle and becoming MUCH MUCH better at horn than I was a year ago I’ll say without a shadow of a doubt that an axos sounds and plays better for modern music, a cannonball Albright special actually outplays them all. I can make the cannonball sound like any other type of sax but a mark 6 or selmer cannot sound like a cannonball or Yamaha. The one thing selmer excel at is a tradition wide open classic sound. But honestly everyone says the cannonball sounds the best and I blind tested with several players and myself.
Love your playing! I play a YAS-875 and love it. Have you tried that horn? Yamaha is definitely a brighter sounding horn than the Mark VI! I find myself playing darker sounding mouthpieces on the Yamaha in order to approach that traditional 1950s sound.
8:35 The key design and the sheer ergonomics of the feel of the Mark VI fits the player's hands like a pair of fine leather gloves. For the amount of air and energy you blow into the horn, it will give you back far more music, sound and soul than other saxophones. You will realize this very quickly after playing it, because within seconds, the horn plays you.
that mark 6 really has a different BODY to the sound
I would say the only downside or pseudo-benefit to the mark-6 is that it's not the most "in-tune" instrument
blessing in disguise I would say still, the little adjustments is what gives a musician their own sound!
Yamaha is a children's toy. It's too bright. Maybe there are 2 good Selmer mark VI and Conn 6m saxophones in the world.
Congrats man! That was AMAZING! The difference was astounding. I'm a trumpet player (Schilke B3L - 1978) but have always loved the Mark VI.
Thanks Nathan of Saxologic; you are very inspiring.
Hah! Your mark VI isn’t even slightly comparable to my amazing Selmer Bundy II
That looks exactly like my old Selmer USA tenor case from the '80s.
Wait for a week, then you will want to throw it out of the window (Mark VI player here xD)! Congrats, sounds great!
Love mark vis but i always come back to my trusty 1980s 62 alto... just seems to do the job at getting my sound.
Who’s this saxologic the best saxophone RUclips channel there is you say. Great video bro!
Congrats! May that horn take you to good places only - it's a wisdom horn!
Glad you are ecstatic over the new horn. I also own a Mark I Yamaha 62 that I love and am going between getting either an 82ZII or Selmer Mark VI, both in silver since I’ve always wanted a silver horn. I found a Mark VI from around 1972 that I’m thinking of buying/trying…we’ll see how it goes!
@ZenDude thanks for asking. Bought the silver Mark VI. Best horn I’ve ever played.