Mark VI: When was high F# introduced?

[Balladeer]

I received an email from Saxmouthpiece.com (Jey Clark) today. On the list was the following Selmer Mark VI tenor.


Selmer Tenor Sax Mark VI - #58,xxx 85% Original Lacquer; Absolutely No dents; Beautiful American engraving; High "F#" key;Pro repad with ALL New Selmer Resonator Pads; Original leather bound case; This is an exceptionally clean early Mark VI which plays really well, very even scale with a big, rich, robust sound -$5500.00


This tenor was probably made in 1956. I thought that Selmer did not introduce the high F# key until later. Yes or No?

[singlereed]

I think the F# key was available pretty much throughout as an option although it is most commonly seen on the late production horns. I think I read the F# was even available on some SBAs but then my memory may be incorrect.

[shortwhite]

I used to own a Super Balanced Action tenor #52xxx that had a high F# key. Great horn had to sell it due to a divorce. I believe high F# was introduced as a special order during the SBA horns.

[Anonymous]

The '55 Selmer brochure shows it as an option, so I'd say it was available from day one!

[AMASAX]

In the U.S., the F# started being advertised as an option($30 if memory servers)on both alto & tenor from about 1950 or so. I have several catalogs from late 1940s-early 1950s, and in the earlier catalogs there is no F# option.

I suspect this option was more well known in Europe at the time(altho i don't have any Euro catalogs), as most of the Super Balanced horns from this era w/F# that i've seen were Euro, particularly the earlier SBAs.

The earliest F# i've personally seen was on a Balanced Action alto i used to own that had a serial of 29,3xx, which dates to the late 1930s.

The F# finally became 'standard' on the Mark VII.

[SaxyAcoustician]

Now THIS is why the internet and this forum are so valuable. Thanks for the info, AMASAX!!! Wow!

[AMASAX]

yup, you're welcome...post your email & i'll send you a bill... 8)

[SteveS]

Yeppers -- the high F# has been available for some time. PERSONALLY (and this is just me talking) I prefer not to have it. I think horns sound a tad better without it, and there are several really good fingerings for high F# that sound just fine.

In fact, I was surprised to see new Yamahas that can be ordered specially WITHOUT the high F#. Interesting....

[saxmouthpiece.com]

I have been repairing professional saxophones for 25 years at my shop saxmouthpiece.com and before that at 4windsmusic and have seen a lot of Selmers both with and without the high F# key. During that time I have had the opportunity to speak to many Selmer owners who purchased their horns new. From all indications the high F# key was available as a special order on all models since the introduction of the Balanced Action Models.I have not seen any models older thatn this with an F# key.
I will post a question reguarding this on the forum and see if we get anything on this...
Stayins'cool
Jey Clark
:lol:

[MB-913]

May players said if a High F# key is on a Mark VI (Tenor), it must not sounds as good as the non F# Mark VI horn. Agree or not? Why?

[singlereed]

I was told the F# tone hole is at a node and therefore it adversely affected the sound. Could be a load of nonsense as surely the whole idea of a tonehole is to be at a node or antinode for the tone its supposed to create?

Strictly, I believe it is the case that if you add a tone hole, you should also adjust the tube to take account of it, and maybe they didn't?

Some of it is fashion, too, I think more were sold in Europe with the F# than in the US - even today, Yamaha still pushes its YAS 23 without F# key whereas we have had several models with it on our equivalent.