[Watsonp143]

When did Selmer stop making Mark VI sopranos? Does anyone know the last serial numbers of this model?

 

[JonL]

Sopranos and baris changed over to Super Action 80's in 1980, according to lore. Someone else probably has an accurate idea of where the serial numbers were when they switched. It's not hard to find Selmer serial number lists, too, to check that way. I recently read in some other threads here that the SAI baris and sopranos were still mark VI bodies with modernized keywork and high F# keys.

Hopefully, it won't take long for someone much more knowledgeable than I to chime in with clear information. I'm curious about this as well, and would really enjoy hearing one of the resident tech's point of view.

 

[Michael Ward]

I have a late one 306... It plays great and better than a 107... I used to have.

 

[maarten visser]

I have a 280xxx soprano with mark VI engraved on the body. It has a high F# key.

 

[whaler]

I have a 303xx that plays much better than the silverplate 177xxx that I had. I'm glad that somebody likes silver plated horns.

 

[sopranosaxman]

I have a late one its serial number is 333xxx

 

[A Greene]

I've heard that Mark VI sopranos don't sound or play very well. Whats your opinion?

I like mine - Try a quick search and you'll get some good information.

 

[AhCheung]

I've heard that Mark VI sopranos don't sound or play very well. Whats your opinion?

I once test played an engraved MkVI sop (don't remember the vintage) belonging to a young sax teacher. The low B & Bb were desperately out of tune, nothing you could do apparently. He kept it b/c it was a VI...

I had two late VI sops (206xxx and 3xx,xxx range if memory serves right), one with one without hi F#. Both were excellent horns intonationwise.

 

[harmonizerNJ]

I recently play-tested someone else's Mark VI soprano recently for about 10 minutes, and it had a really nice tone. Sorry but I don't remember whether it was a newer VI or an older one.

Some people don't like the left hand palm keys on a Mark VI soprano - they are different than what you get with Mark VI altos and tenors.