[saxspy]

Recently, I had two great saxophones in my studio. Selmer Mark VI 79xxx 1959 with 92xxx neck (13 off of Brecker's) and a Selmer Mark VII 292xxx 1978. I made a comparison video showing the differing details and how they sound on 3 separate transcriptions. Is the Mark VI that much better to justify the higher price?

Video:

 

[A Greene]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing. What did you think of the neck angle of the VII?

 

[1saxman]

I didn't listen, but its not so much about what they sound like to the listener as it is how they play for the performer. One may prefer a good 7 while another may prefer a good VI.

 

[BariMelt]

I liked my Mark VII, but did not LOVE it. It was a tank with a big sound.

 

[perina14]

Nice sound on both. Thanks for the video.

 

[Jazzoetry]

I have a Tenor VII that is kinda Heavy & Solidly built, only one repair in many years of traveling and playing. Need to use the right mouthpiece to get the best sound. I have big hands and have no issues with the keywork. My 7 has the "Gold S". Nice video!

 

[Instrument Attic]

Another great video, Saxspy. I appreciate that you're putting out solid, informational, quality content. Keep up the good work.

 

[Grumps]

I didn't listen...

No one ever listens. Besides... the VI won long ago.
Just check the numbers.

 

[Saxydude]

Great video. This should serve as a template for how all "side by sides" should be done - really nice work.

I own both of these instruments in a similar serial range. In fact, the VII was my first "pro" horn back in my freshman year of high school. To my ears, the VII is bigger, more centered, and has a more even timbre through the full range of the horn. The VI, on the other hand, does that magical VI thing where the bottom end can be smokey, dark, and subtone-y, but as one ascends the tone becomes brighter until it really sizzles in the palm keys. I will say, however, that this VI, like my 98xxx, seems to thin out a bit at A2 and above.

Based on this video, I, as a listener, prefer the VII(!). However, as a player with small/medium hands, the VII is too much of an adjustment for me keywork-wise (especially the LH pinky table), whereas the VI fits like a glove.

Thanks for a great video.

 

[JayeLID]

No one ever listens. Besides... the VI won long ago.
Just check the numbers.

Except when one posts a good, correctly-done side-by side, it is worth listening to, I'd say.

Had one listened to his playtest, one might well have concluded that the much-maligned VII doesn't deserve that reputation....which is what I concluded a while back....

 

[Grumps]

I had a VII tenor around the same vintage as the one in the video. Played it for decades. My go to horn. Then I went to USA Horn one day and tried every VI tenor on the wall. At least a half dozen of them. All of which I favored over my VII. Wake up call, that was. Funny now though... I got rid of all my Selmer France horns since (four of them) and play vintage American exclusively.

 

[Tranechaser]

Good video Derek, you as a player make them both sound good.

 

[Bjroosevelt]

I own both of these instruments in a similar serial range. In fact, the VII was my first "pro" horn back in my freshman year of high school. To my ears, the VII is bigger, more centered, and has a more even timbre through the full range of the horn. The VI, on the other hand, does that magical VI thing where the bottom end can be smokey, dark, and subtone-y.

Would also like to compliment saxspy on his playing, too. I agree with the quote above. The 6 sounds more like my old Conn - that vintage sound complexity that is hard to find in modern horns. The 7 has a cleaner more centered sound. Think it sums up the differences perfectly.

I've been playing my 7 for 2.5 year now and have gotten used to the key work. Small hands, but very strong pinky fingers.

Both horns sound great!

 

[nathan61]

Great playing. My ears liked the sound of the Mark VI. But the playing on the VII was also outstanding. It would be interesting to throw a Yamaha in with these comparisons, as a sort of control.

 

[zapatista]

I had a VII tenor around the same vintage as the one in the video. Played it for decades. My go to horn. Then I went to USA Horn one day and tried every VI tenor on the wall. At least a half dozen of them. All of which I favored over my VII. Wake up call, that was. Funny now though... I got rid of all my Selmer France horns since (four of them) and play vintage American exclusively.

I'm glad you were able to make the switch to C Melody Tenors before you died. I'm assuming you've been living all these years? Zombies and all...

 

[Grumps]

Never played a C melody. Never will.

Now can we get back to trashing Mark VII tenors?

 

[zapatista]

Never played a C melody. Never will.

Now can we get back to trashing Mark VII tenors?

I played a Mark VII Tenor for a couple years in an Army Band (1st Cav!). It was a pretty nice horn and took a lot of abuse. You haven't lived until you've played a real tenor (key of C). So thanks for indirectly answering the question. Really hard to get a straight answer out of a dang Zombie.

 

[Morph1590]

VII sound reminded me more of a SA80, both sounded nice. VII sounded a touch brighter, and the intonation was a bit more wild up top (you'd probably learn to adjust pretty quickly though). VI had a huskier sound. Both nice

 

[B Flat]

I foolishly traded my VII tenor on a VI Baritone.
That tenor was a dark sounding horn with excellent ergonomics.
I’d gladly have another VII Tenor if I didn’t have my Selmer Super Series.

 

[Grumps]

I foolishly traded my VII tenor on a VI Baritone.

Wow. That makes me want to get my own VII tenor back.
To trade for a VI bari...