New Selmer tenor sax gooseneck

[davyvan]

:?: I have in my possession a new Selmer tenor sax gooseneck. How can I determine if it is for a Mark VI or a Mark VII? The only distinguishing feature is a triangular plate soldered onto the back of the neck where it attaches to the body of the sax. In the middle of the plate is a circle with small gridwork. Around the circle are the words H. Selmer Paris. It appears that this gooseneck has never been used. :?

[Tharruff]

Mark VII necks actually had 'M 7' stamped on them in the area where you have described the 'circle with small gridwork'.

Does it have a large stamped letter 'S' on the octave key in a diamond filled with either blue or black paint ?

If yes, then almost certainly a VI neck. Good score.

Earlier necks even dataing back as far as SSS 'Cigar Cutter' have the triangular plate that you have described also, but the triangle is a little different...it has sculptured 'footsies' on the bottom. (to use a technical (?) term)

[BillC]

Please enlighten me about this 'cigar cutter' term. What does it mean or refer to? Seems it refers to Altos and tenors?

Thanks,
Bill C.

[Tharruff]

Bill,

'Cigar Cutter' was the nickname of one of the variants of the 'Selmer Super Sax' lineup that was made after the 'New Largebore' and before the 'Balanced Action'. (let's say, from about 1930 to about 1936 in round numbers) There is a small plate as part of the octave key mechanism that has a hole stamped in the middle that looks similar to the device that one uses to cut the tip of their fancy cigar if one is a fancy cigar smoker.

The 'Selmer Super Sax' models had a stylized logo of 3 interlocking letter 'esses' (SSS = Selmer Super Sax) There were 'Super Saxes' that were NOT Cigar Cutters.

I have also heard that this unique mechanism was on Alto's of that vintage but not Tenors. I can't confirm this as being true or false.

I own a 1931 SSS 'Cigar Cutter' Alto S/N 14XXX with the mechanism.

[BillC]

Tharruff,

Amazing info. I'm interested in the neck being described here. I wish to know more about it....

davyvan, measure it on the 'lower end' and give me the average of three directions of measure. I will be most happy to relieve you of it if it will suit my sax.

Bill C.

[davyvan]

Bill C
The "bottom end" or tenon is perfectly round and is exactly 27 and 1/2
mm in diameter on the outside.