[dr. jon]

I've been playing a Conn 6M Lady on the Bell Alto [1940 vintage] while learning to play over the past year and feeling like its time to upgrade.

Is an MK VI a 'waste' on a non-pro player? I was considering buying a more intermediate horn around $2.5K, but some folks say why go half-way if you eventually will want to buy a better horn later.

And, if it's not a waste to buy an MK VI at this stage, what's the best way to buy one? Is it safe to buy on-line from a dealer without playing it first?

 

[CountSpatula]

Just know not all pros play on Mark VIs. If you look around here lots of people play on Bueschers, Martins, Conns, Selmers, Yamahas, Yanagisawas, Keilwerths, Cannonballs, and etc. Most people recommend stopping by your local store and play on as much as you can and pick what you feel most comfortable with...doesn't always have to be a Mark VI...

And think about this, a good Mark VI would cost like atleast $4000-$6000 I think and there are several professional horns that you can find used for around $2000...

 

[Martinman]

Conn 6m's are MONSTER horns. No need to upgrade.

 

[dr. jon]

Conn 6m's are MONSTER horns. No need to upgrade.

I agree the 6M is monster. It sounds great in the low register. But real hard getting the high D# and above. Any advice?

 

[jmm1713]

I agree the 6M is monster. It sounds great in the low register. But real hard getting the high D# and above. Any advice?

Get the horn that feels the best for you ... just because you have a 6M does not mean it will be a good horn for you ... If you are planning to keep playing .. get the mark vi and if you do not like it you can always resell it or trade it for something else ... I got my first pro horn ( Selmer SBA ) after 2 years of playing .. and it only helped me .

 

[Bernards20040]

I agree the 6M is monster. It sounds great in the low register. But real hard getting the high D# and above. Any advice?

If you have only been playing for twelve months it may be you that is having problems with the palm key notes and not the fault of the horn. what does your teacher say?

 

[dr. jon]

he says its a bit of both-- my embouchure still needs to get better on the high notes... but he also felt the Conn was a harder horn to get the higher register out-- a 'heavier' tone if you will-- not to mention is weighs about as much as a tenor

 

[Dave Dolson]

If you can afford a MKVI, do it. There are no rules.

Is it safe to buy on-line without trying one first? Depends on the seller, I suppose. If a return-policy is in play, that should make the answer easier.

Do you have enough experience to evaluate whether the VI you buy is a good one? THERE is the question. Maybe your teacher or a saxophone-playing friend could help you there.

A doctor-friend of mine bought a new Ref 54 alto sight-unseen from Dave Kessler a while back - and he loves it, even though he hasn't played all that long. I played it after he got it and it was every bit as good as mine. Buying sight-unseen is only a risk when you can't afford the freight or you can't trust the seller. DAVE

 

[Saxplayer67]

Buying anything sight unseen is stupid. You're asking for trouble. Just because it's a Selmer Mark VI :notworth: doesn't mean it's a) any good and b) a sax you can play. Unless there is a quantifiable problem with the Conn, stick with it - you haven't been playing long enough to know and it sounds like your teacher is almost forcing you to get another sax - you're only at the 'I need some expensive equipment' stage every newbie goes through, thinking that's going to help you.

It'll help your ego ('ooooh I have a Mark VI') but not your wallet and you will pretty much sound the same on a Selmer as you do on the Conn.

Stick with it, work at those palm keys, it's more than likely you, not the horn - try a half strength more on the reed.

 

[Reference]

MKVI is a good choice but I'd suggest you to try out others like Ref54, 875EX, 82z...etc. before making your decision.
My 2 cents is that you better have an experienced player to test the MKVI with you or otherwise the risk of buying vintage sax is pretty high.

 

[milandro]

Any professional horn is a good choice and the Mark VI is just one of the professional horns, more expensive for various not always rational reasons but not at all a better horn than a 6M! Personally, I believe that, as altos go, 6M's are right at the top of my shortlist with King Super 20, Martin Committee and (do not forget) Mark VII's alto!

 

[Martinman]

I agree the 6M is monster. It sounds great in the low register. But real hard getting the high D# and above. Any advice?

Practice

Experiment with throat and tounge position. Also, it might not hurt to get your horn checked out by a tech if it hasn't been there recently.

 

[Grumps]

I agree the 6M is monster. It sounds great in the low register. But real hard getting the high D# and above. Any advice?

You can try a more open tipped mouthpiece, if you're ready for one. But if you're having no trouble navigating the low end of your 6M, you might want to keep that baby. A 6M is a pro horn. It was a pro horn when it was made, and it remains so today. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[vivace1]

You could get your choice of pro horns for 2500. I love my Mark VI that I bought in high school, but I also bought into lot of problems that I wouldn't have had if I had just gone with a new Selmer, Yanagisawa, Yamaha, etc. I got mine for a great deal at 2500, but it needed about a 1000 worth of repair down the road. Also, I personally think a solid modern horn is the way to go when you're still working with developing good embouchure, technique and intonation. These things are just easier on most modern horns. (my controversial opinion)

That said, I've never played a horn that screamed quite like my VI.

 

[SuperAction80]

The old Conn's are a little more demanding to the player than a modern horn, but, with practice, they are exceptional horns. My recommendation is to keep the 6M and pick up a Yamaha YAS-23. The 23 plays and feels like a modern horn should and is a great horn in itself. When you become a more advanced player you'll really appreciate the 6M...and if you don't, I'll take it off your hands for not charge.

If you decide that you want to start gigging down the road, you'll need the money for microphones, mic cables, and beer.

 

[JrSax]

I recently picked up a Selmer Super Action 80 Series II tenor for about 1750 used. plays like a gem, easy down low, easy up high. but dont go out and spend a lot of money until you really feel that you deserve a better horn for the lever youre playing at.

P.S. ill take that conn of your hands as well

 

[RootyTootoot]

I would suggest you read davevillajr's comment in this thread:

http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=70444

 

[SuperAction80]

His last phrase was classic

My advice to everyone, including myself - get off the damn net and get back to practicing, it's the only way to improve.
dv

Hmmmm...maybe just maybe he's onto something. On the other hand, I enjoy reading and sharing opinions within this community. I've come across a few ideas that I would not have thought of otherwise. Nothing really replaces some quality shed time though.

 

[Doghouse Riley]

My tutor plays a MkVl, he tried out my new Yamaha T62 just after I purchased it. I could hardly tell any difference, maybe the MkVl was slightly "rounder" in tone, or maybe it was because he used a vintage Link on his horn against my Link N/Y on mine.

I think it's more "who" than "what."

 

[Dave Dolson]

Saxplayer67: Obviously, you can't afford buying sight-unseen.

It isn't stupid - I've done it many times and ended with some of my most treasured saxophones. Lighten up - if someone has the dough, let them spend it the way they want to spend it. DAVE