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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Selmer saxes / Mark VII

Next 20 Messages

Stanis
User ID: 1230224 May 27th 10:44 AM
I recently tried a Mark VII at my local shop. when I compared it to a Yamaha 62 and a couplw of keilworths I found it had the 'fattest' sound of them all.
My point is that I can't afford a MarkVI but have had mixed reviews on the Mark VII.
Can anyone give me any advice on whether it's a worthy horn?

danm
User ID: 1258494 May 27th 3:47 PM
Some are good and some are bad . I have a a good one, a silver low serial number MKVII silver alto. I have played many horns and I sold a brand new YAS62 for this sax. It is a fat sounding sweet alto. If you like it and it plays well the only advice you need is to buy it!

MBushaw
User ID: 8123903 May 27th 5:32 PM
The VII alto generally gets better reviews than the VII tenor. Which one were you looking at?

Cashsax
User ID: 9014973 May 27th 7:49 PM
I think all the VII's will be only going up $$$-wise..My VII Alto is a silver engraved 262XXX model and true monster. I wouldn't pass up a great deal on a Tenor..could be a good investment (or keeper) to enjoy while it appreciates.

Alan
User ID: 9892733 May 27th 11:13 PM
My VII alto M255xxx is a great horn.....rich, lush Selmer tone. The VII's are already slowly going up $$$-wise. Read the VII threads here for more info.

Stanid
User ID: 1230224 May 28th 2:59 AM
Thanks, it was an alto. Basically, looking back I can't remember how it felt playing wise but sound wise it stood out a mile. I suppose comparing it o a Mark VI it has a lot to live up to, however, a Selemer is a Selmer and it showed. If I'm in a serious position to buy then I probably will.

MS
User ID: 0130044 May 28th 3:03 AM
Have you tried a Mark VI? A good one plays well. A dog's a dog.

Phil F
User ID: 1418774 May 28th 3:16 AM
Stanis, I have a post in the Marketplace for sale of my mint VII alto. If interested drop me a note pfederio@pol.net

Alan
User ID: 9892733 May 28th 3:24 AM
A VI alto will cost you a lot more. A good one will play great, but as MS said...a dog's a dog, and there are a few VI's like that. VII's too. The earlier VII's....ser. no.'s with the M below say 270xxx seem to be the better ones. VI or VII, play em first...ck em out. The VII keywork is a little different than the VI, and the VII is a little heavier; the altos are very nice horns. I've played both a VI and VII alto, and I like my VII as well as I did the VI I had in school. It's a really good VII. I have also seen and played a few VI's I like better, but not for $5000 or more. A good VII alto can be had for $1800 or less. A bad VI can cost $2500 and up; the really good VI's $3500 to $5000 and more. Just depends on what you want to spend.

Alan
User ID: 9892733 May 28th 3:47 AM
I wouldn't put too much emphasis on ser. no.'s. A good horn is a good horn. If it has an M in front of the number it should have the VI body tube, which is good. The later ones with a different body tube have an N, but some of those can be very good too. The earlier VII's generally have engraving....later ones don't. Same is true of VI's too. Many are engraved, some aren't. That goes for the blue S on the neck also. What matters is how the horn plays and sounds.

BATMAN
User ID: 8443743 May 28th 1:33 PM
If you like the way the horn plays, and it works for you, go for it, especially if it is a good price. The MK VII tenors feel much clumsier than the MK VI, but the altos feel just fine. Don't worry about the serial so much...just play and compare. The earlier ones with the VI body are probably more desireable and more sellable should you choose to re-sell at one point, but as with MK VIs, try before you buy.

You won't be disappointed if you buy a MK VII, unless you expect it to be like a good MK VI. They are very different horns, but the VII plays very well.

SteveS
User ID: 0143424 May 29th 4:55 PM
I had a Mark VII alto that beat every VI I tried it against -- except one. I ended up buying that VI and selling the VII.

BUT, a good VII (you need to try before you buy) is a very good horn indeed.

As for its reputation, most people who diss the VII have never heard or tried one. But it's true that some are good and some are not. Just like the VI.

And even the best VII's can be had for bargain prices. (I know ALL about that!)

Screech
User ID: 9753653 May 30th 11:25 AM
Shshshshhsssssssssss you're the expert in that area SteveS.

T.S.
User ID: 8882983 Jun 9th 3:06 PM
I think the VII (especially the alto) is an amazingly underrated horn. The Left Pinky Cluster is a bit of a pain as well as the oversized low C, but man, a good one sounds and plays beautifully. Big, throaty, and with plenty of cut if you need it. Their relatively poor reputation is a definite case of perceptionitis.

Alan
User ID: 9892733 Jun 10th 12:46 AM
I couldn't agree more....

Joe
User ID: 9077913 Jun 10th 1:27 AM
A couple of well known teachers in this area have been recommending the VII for all their students for legit for several years. The result is that VII's arouns here sell for $2,200 to $2,500.

The VII has a little larger bore and darker sound than the VI. I do think it's a superior horn sound-wise to the VI for classical playing. You can make it work for jazz, also, with the right mouthpiece. A good VII can have a gorgeous sound. Although not as compact as the VI's, the sound can be larger and lusher, making it potentially a more versatile horn. It's just not as good a horn for playing in really loud settings.

As others have said, make sure to try first because VII's had a couple of major problems. About one out of every four has some serious timbre problems (a subpar sound that changes from register to register). About one out of four also had a serious tuning problem with the low notes being WAY out. I think the larger keys of the VII have been overly trashed. The action is good, clean, and certainly shouldn't be a concern unless you have tiny hands. If you've found a good VII, it's an excellent horn for the money.

Alan
User ID: 9892733 Jun 10th 2:40 AM
My VII alto has perfect intonation up and down the scale; as for loud....get out the ear plugs! I've never had any problems with the table keys being too large, and the tone is thick, moderately dark and lush. I had heard the VII's bore was slightly larger than the VI, but when talking to Ralph Morgan who was with Selmer during those years, he said no, not so. Mr. Morgan claims the VII has the same body and bore as the VI......so go figure. We may never know for sure unless Selmer were to post here and give us the specs.. I played a VI alto many yrs ago in my younger days....I bought my VII new and have been very pleased with it.....great sound. It's very similar to a VI in many ways, but very different in others. I don't know that it's superior to a VI, but in it's own right perhaps just as good....at least in comparison to the VI I had. The VII I have is a very good one. I play my VII alto in a concert wind symphony.....for jazz I have a sterling silver Serie III neck I use for a bright, sweet jazz tone. The VII is indeed very versatile.

BATMAN
User ID: 1460434 Jun 10th 2:51 AM
I think the unique sound of the VII comes from the larger bell and different neck design. It certainly has a fatter bottom end than the MK VI. My school's MK VII was larger sounding than any tenor there and just about as large as my early VI, which just happens to be a very good player. Otherwise, I believe the MK VII beats any average MK VI anyday. Also, a MKVII with a VI neck sounds a lot like a late MK VI. So, Ralph Morgan is probably right...I wouldn't doubt it.

I have no experience with vintage selmer altos...only tenors.

Alan
User ID: 9892733 Jun 10th 3:05 AM
The VII tenor has the different neck.....the VII alto and VI neck are the same. I know as I have both the orig. VII neck and a MKVI alto neck. You're right about the sound......using the VI neck my VII alto does sound like a late VI. The only difference in the VII and VI alto necks is the metal......the VI neck is lighter.

Joe
User ID: 9077913 Jun 10th 5:35 AM
My friend, a repair tech, has a tapered steel mandrel marked to measure neck openings. The VII neck bore is definitely larger than the VI by a significant amount.

Next 20 Messages

Stanis User ID: 1230224	May 27th 10:44 AM I recently tried a Mark VII at my local shop. when I compared it to a Yamaha 62 and a couplw of keilworths I found it had the 'fattest' sound of them all. My point is that I can't afford a MarkVI but have had mixed reviews on the Mark VII. Can anyone give me any advice on whether it's a worthy horn?
danm User ID: 1258494	May 27th 3:47 PM Some are good and some are bad . I have a a good one, a silver low serial number MKVII silver alto. I have played many horns and I sold a brand new YAS62 for this sax. It is a fat sounding sweet alto. If you like it and it plays well the only advice you need is to buy it!
MBushaw User ID: 8123903	May 27th 5:32 PM The VII alto generally gets better reviews than the VII tenor. Which one were you looking at?
Cashsax User ID: 9014973	May 27th 7:49 PM I think all the VII's will be only going up $$$-wise..My VII Alto is a silver engraved 262XXX model and true monster. I wouldn't pass up a great deal on a Tenor..could be a good investment (or keeper) to enjoy while it appreciates.
Alan User ID: 9892733	May 27th 11:13 PM My VII alto M255xxx is a great horn.....rich, lush Selmer tone. The VII's are already slowly going up $$$-wise. Read the VII threads here for more info.
Stanid User ID: 1230224	May 28th 2:59 AM Thanks, it was an alto. Basically, looking back I can't remember how it felt playing wise but sound wise it stood out a mile. I suppose comparing it o a Mark VI it has a lot to live up to, however, a Selemer is a Selmer and it showed. If I'm in a serious position to buy then I probably will.
MS User ID: 0130044	May 28th 3:03 AM Have you tried a Mark VI? A good one plays well. A dog's a dog.
Phil F User ID: 1418774	May 28th 3:16 AM Stanis, I have a post in the Marketplace for sale of my mint VII alto. If interested drop me a note pfederio@pol.net
Alan User ID: 9892733	May 28th 3:24 AM A VI alto will cost you a lot more. A good one will play great, but as MS said...a dog's a dog, and there are a few VI's like that. VII's too. The earlier VII's....ser. no.'s with the M below say 270xxx seem to be the better ones. VI or VII, play em first...ck em out. The VII keywork is a little different than the VI, and the VII is a little heavier; the altos are very nice horns. I've played both a VI and VII alto, and I like my VII as well as I did the VI I had in school. It's a really good VII. I have also seen and played a few VI's I like better, but not for $5000 or more. A good VII alto can be had for $1800 or less. A bad VI can cost $2500 and up; the really good VI's $3500 to $5000 and more. Just depends on what you want to spend.
Alan User ID: 9892733	May 28th 3:47 AM I wouldn't put too much emphasis on ser. no.'s. A good horn is a good horn. If it has an M in front of the number it should have the VI body tube, which is good. The later ones with a different body tube have an N, but some of those can be very good too. The earlier VII's generally have engraving....later ones don't. Same is true of VI's too. Many are engraved, some aren't. That goes for the blue S on the neck also. What matters is how the horn plays and sounds.
BATMAN User ID: 8443743	May 28th 1:33 PM If you like the way the horn plays, and it works for you, go for it, especially if it is a good price. The MK VII tenors feel much clumsier than the MK VI, but the altos feel just fine. Don't worry about the serial so much...just play and compare. The earlier ones with the VI body are probably more desireable and more sellable should you choose to re-sell at one point, but as with MK VIs, try before you buy. You won't be disappointed if you buy a MK VII, unless you expect it to be like a good MK VI. They are very different horns, but the VII plays very well.
SteveS User ID: 0143424	May 29th 4:55 PM I had a Mark VII alto that beat every VI I tried it against -- except one. I ended up buying that VI and selling the VII. BUT, a good VII (you need to try before you buy) is a very good horn indeed. As for its reputation, most people who diss the VII have never heard or tried one. But it's true that some are good and some are not. Just like the VI. And even the best VII's can be had for bargain prices. (I know ALL about that!)
Screech User ID: 9753653	May 30th 11:25 AM Shshshshhsssssssssss you're the expert in that area SteveS.
T.S. User ID: 8882983	Jun 9th 3:06 PM I think the VII (especially the alto) is an amazingly underrated horn. The Left Pinky Cluster is a bit of a pain as well as the oversized low C, but man, a good one sounds and plays beautifully. Big, throaty, and with plenty of cut if you need it. Their relatively poor reputation is a definite case of perceptionitis.
Alan User ID: 9892733	Jun 10th 12:46 AM I couldn't agree more....
Joe User ID: 9077913	Jun 10th 1:27 AM A couple of well known teachers in this area have been recommending the VII for all their students for legit for several years. The result is that VII's arouns here sell for $2,200 to $2,500. The VII has a little larger bore and darker sound than the VI. I do think it's a superior horn sound-wise to the VI for classical playing. You can make it work for jazz, also, with the right mouthpiece. A good VII can have a gorgeous sound. Although not as compact as the VI's, the sound can be larger and lusher, making it potentially a more versatile horn. It's just not as good a horn for playing in really loud settings. As others have said, make sure to try first because VII's had a couple of major problems. About one out of every four has some serious timbre problems (a subpar sound that changes from register to register). About one out of four also had a serious tuning problem with the low notes being WAY out. I think the larger keys of the VII have been overly trashed. The action is good, clean, and certainly shouldn't be a concern unless you have tiny hands. If you've found a good VII, it's an excellent horn for the money.
Alan User ID: 9892733	Jun 10th 2:40 AM My VII alto has perfect intonation up and down the scale; as for loud....get out the ear plugs! I've never had any problems with the table keys being too large, and the tone is thick, moderately dark and lush. I had heard the VII's bore was slightly larger than the VI, but when talking to Ralph Morgan who was with Selmer during those years, he said no, not so. Mr. Morgan claims the VII has the same body and bore as the VI......so go figure. We may never know for sure unless Selmer were to post here and give us the specs.. I played a VI alto many yrs ago in my younger days....I bought my VII new and have been very pleased with it.....great sound. It's very similar to a VI in many ways, but very different in others. I don't know that it's superior to a VI, but in it's own right perhaps just as good....at least in comparison to the VI I had. The VII I have is a very good one. I play my VII alto in a concert wind symphony.....for jazz I have a sterling silver Serie III neck I use for a bright, sweet jazz tone. The VII is indeed very versatile.
BATMAN User ID: 1460434	Jun 10th 2:51 AM I think the unique sound of the VII comes from the larger bell and different neck design. It certainly has a fatter bottom end than the MK VI. My school's MK VII was larger sounding than any tenor there and just about as large as my early VI, which just happens to be a very good player. Otherwise, I believe the MK VII beats any average MK VI anyday. Also, a MKVII with a VI neck sounds a lot like a late MK VI. So, Ralph Morgan is probably right...I wouldn't doubt it. I have no experience with vintage selmer altos...only tenors.
Alan User ID: 9892733	Jun 10th 3:05 AM The VII tenor has the different neck.....the VII alto and VI neck are the same. I know as I have both the orig. VII neck and a MKVI alto neck. You're right about the sound......using the VI neck my VII alto does sound like a late VI. The only difference in the VII and VI alto necks is the metal......the VI neck is lighter.
Joe User ID: 9077913	Jun 10th 5:35 AM My friend, a repair tech, has a tapered steel mandrel marked to measure neck openings. The VII neck bore is definitely larger than the VI by a significant amount.