I bought a re-lacquered 6 for less than $4k. Talk to your repair guy,tell him to keep an eye open for an affordable one. That's what I did.
Mk VI for 5-6K?
I've seen a decent amount of forum posts lately talking about how its not too difficult to find a Mk VI tenor in good condition for about 5 grand.
The thing is, I'm still in high school, and though I don't have the commitment or desire to play professionally, sax is definately not something that I could see myself dropping, and it's been one of the most important things in my life for the last 6 or 7 years. Right now, a relative is offering me quite a bit of money for a tenor... and I definately don't see myself saving up for a mark VI when the expenses and debt of college comes rolling along.
Basically, I can justify (barely) allowing said relative to put up 5 or 6 grand, but the only way that I see to find a consistent list of mark VI's that I know will come in good condition is through sites like robertoswinds.com , which have them listed for up to 18k and generally no less than 8k. Ebay also seems like a viable option, but its usually impossible to have any notion of what condition the sax will be in if its listed at 5k on ebay. Plus, with the current listings, the only saxes in my price range are at really high model numbers. I'm not one to follow the myth that the quality of a mk VI depends on the model number, but when I see horns with the model number into the 200k range (first link), it makes me worried. No, I don't by any means need a sax this extravagant, but I can tell you that I do play quite a bit daily with the setup I already have, and I will definately continue for years to come (not to mention that the value of a vintage horn doesn't exactly go down as years pass).
Heres the deal. Anyone know a better place to buy a MK VI than ebay, without spending a huge amount of cash for a horn that I won't be able to play first? Does anyone have any tips for scanning sites like tenormadness and ebay for saxes, without the worry of not seeing and playing the sax in person first? I know this isnt the first thread i've posted similar to this, but I'd really be glad to have some good quality advice rather than critique of my desire for a sax that arguably would go to waste on someone like me, who isnt exactly a pro, but desires to get there someday.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Selmer-Mark...514?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ba9c9bd2
Heres another, nicer looking mk VI. It says its from 67, looks like its a "closet horn" from my understanding of the term. The only thing is that it doesn't show the model number, so theres no way to confirm the date it was made, and like many nice horns on ebay, its up for only a small window of time.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Selmer...382?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac33401e6
The thing is, I'm still in high school, and though I don't have the commitment or desire to play professionally, sax is definately not something that I could see myself dropping, and it's been one of the most important things in my life for the last 6 or 7 years. Right now, a relative is offering me quite a bit of money for a tenor... and I definately don't see myself saving up for a mark VI when the expenses and debt of college comes rolling along.
Basically, I can justify (barely) allowing said relative to put up 5 or 6 grand, but the only way that I see to find a consistent list of mark VI's that I know will come in good condition is through sites like robertoswinds.com , which have them listed for up to 18k and generally no less than 8k. Ebay also seems like a viable option, but its usually impossible to have any notion of what condition the sax will be in if its listed at 5k on ebay. Plus, with the current listings, the only saxes in my price range are at really high model numbers. I'm not one to follow the myth that the quality of a mk VI depends on the model number, but when I see horns with the model number into the 200k range (first link), it makes me worried. No, I don't by any means need a sax this extravagant, but I can tell you that I do play quite a bit daily with the setup I already have, and I will definately continue for years to come (not to mention that the value of a vintage horn doesn't exactly go down as years pass).
Heres the deal. Anyone know a better place to buy a MK VI than ebay, without spending a huge amount of cash for a horn that I won't be able to play first? Does anyone have any tips for scanning sites like tenormadness and ebay for saxes, without the worry of not seeing and playing the sax in person first? I know this isnt the first thread i've posted similar to this, but I'd really be glad to have some good quality advice rather than critique of my desire for a sax that arguably would go to waste on someone like me, who isnt exactly a pro, but desires to get there someday.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Selmer-Mark...514?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ba9c9bd2
Heres another, nicer looking mk VI. It says its from 67, looks like its a "closet horn" from my understanding of the term. The only thing is that it doesn't show the model number, so theres no way to confirm the date it was made, and like many nice horns on ebay, its up for only a small window of time.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Selmer...382?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac33401e6
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I would check out Craigslist. Mark VI's can be pretty inconsistent, and if you do it through Craigslist, you can try the horn in person. If you are interested in a horn that is far away from your location, you can contact the seller and ask if they would take Paypal or something and ship the horn, but you have to be very careful as there is essentially no buyer protection in a transaction like this. I would not recommend it, but it is an option.
There are also saxes that are regularly posted in the "marketplace" forums, and many of them are Mark VI saxes.
There are also saxes that are regularly posted in the "marketplace" forums, and many of them are Mark VI saxes.
I wouldn't deal with Roberto's, their prices are patently ridiculous.
Craigslist, your technician, around town, there are a myriad of ways to find a tenor.
Craigslist, your technician, around town, there are a myriad of ways to find a tenor.
Buy a 10M
But on a serious note. Craigslist and this forum's market place are the best 2 places to buy horns. One because you try them and the other because most of the time you are dealing with real sax players. Patience is the name of the game when buying a sax. In the mean time hit up every place possible to play horns. You might find that you like another kind entirely. Don't fall into the MKVI hype. They are just a sax. I've played many VI's. some great and some horrible, but Even the great ones still played like a regular saxophone. No better than my Conn either. Just as good in a different way. Good Luck.
But on a serious note. Craigslist and this forum's market place are the best 2 places to buy horns. One because you try them and the other because most of the time you are dealing with real sax players. Patience is the name of the game when buying a sax. In the mean time hit up every place possible to play horns. You might find that you like another kind entirely. Don't fall into the MKVI hype. They are just a sax. I've played many VI's. some great and some horrible, but Even the great ones still played like a regular saxophone. No better than my Conn either. Just as good in a different way. Good Luck.
Paul Maslin has a few at PMWoodwinds.com
http://www.pmwoodwind.com/instruments.cfm?categoryid=4
On the other hand, given the story you've shared, why not buy a great horn for $3k and save the surplus for college?
Why do you NEED a Mk VI? Don't answer to me, it matters most to you and you're the one that needs to have the conversation.
http://www.pmwoodwind.com/instruments.cfm?categoryid=4
On the other hand, given the story you've shared, why not buy a great horn for $3k and save the surplus for college?
Why do you NEED a Mk VI? Don't answer to me, it matters most to you and you're the one that needs to have the conversation.
I have one I'll sell you. PM sent
+1!!!!!!!!!!!!Buy an 82Z or a Yanagisawa.
I don’t know where OP is, but in my part of the world ebay is hardly the only place where one can find a favourably priced Mark VI, especially because if such a thing would exist it would be most probably outside the EU therefore when the sax would be imported we are almost certain to pay at least 25% premium ( VAT + import taxes and handling through custom rights by the post or courier). However we can easily find a Mark VI on local classified ads starting from €3500. Of course this is not the case everywhere but I am pretty sure that there are local possibilities to buy in many places in the world.
I am always surprised of he fact that some person comes to SOTW with a precise question and receives unrequested advise to buy a horn that he was not interested to buy or has requested any opinion about, very peculiar!
I am always surprised of he fact that some person comes to SOTW with a precise question and receives unrequested advise to buy a horn that he was not interested to buy or has requested any opinion about, very peculiar!
If you decide it must be a Mark VI, my advice would be to forget about serial numbers and buy the best one you can in your price range, and to play it before you buy.
My Mark VI tenor is a 228XXX, i.e. one of the last made. I went to the store fully expecting to buy an earlier example but, for me, this one seemed much better. My approach is to buy the horn I like best at this point in my life. Later on I may discover something I prefer, or it's just as likely I will stick with the one I have.
I recently had it overhauled by a guy who specialises in Mark VI's and works on little else. He rated my horn as being in the top 2 he had overhauled in the past twelve months and he offered me twice what I had paid for it.
In other words, ignore the hype and make your own decision.
My Mark VI tenor is a 228XXX, i.e. one of the last made. I went to the store fully expecting to buy an earlier example but, for me, this one seemed much better. My approach is to buy the horn I like best at this point in my life. Later on I may discover something I prefer, or it's just as likely I will stick with the one I have.
I recently had it overhauled by a guy who specialises in Mark VI's and works on little else. He rated my horn as being in the top 2 he had overhauled in the past twelve months and he offered me twice what I had paid for it.
In other words, ignore the hype and make your own decision.
Me too, especially suggesting other horns with none of the qualities of the horn the person is seeking.I am always surprised of he fact that some person comes to SOTW with a precise question and receives unrequested advise to buy a horn that he was not interested to buy or has requested any opinion about, very peculiar!
I'd avoid this one. The neck has been pulled down. You can tell by the lacquer on the sides of the neck having cracked off along the bend and a indentation by the tenon.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Selmer-Mark...514?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ba9c9bd2
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Selmer-Mark...514?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ba9c9bd2
Keep an eye on the marketplace here and you should be able to find one, but if you're having serious guilt about letting a family member spend that much, keep an eye out for a used modern Selmer.
I paid about $2300 for a used Series II tenor in 2006. Odds are good if you buy a used Selmer Paris it won't depreciate much should you decide to sell it. Same goes for a VI, but you'll spend less up front for a II or III or Ref horn. If you don't have the commitment or desire (or need because your college instructor says you have to have a VI), why do you want a VI?
And again, don't be biased by serial numbers. You can find an absolute beast of a player in the 200K range just as much as you can find a 57K dud. There are plenty of people out there that play VIIs too.
FWIW IMHO no one should pay Roberto's prices for a saxophone.
I paid about $2300 for a used Series II tenor in 2006. Odds are good if you buy a used Selmer Paris it won't depreciate much should you decide to sell it. Same goes for a VI, but you'll spend less up front for a II or III or Ref horn. If you don't have the commitment or desire (or need because your college instructor says you have to have a VI), why do you want a VI?
And again, don't be biased by serial numbers. You can find an absolute beast of a player in the 200K range just as much as you can find a 57K dud. There are plenty of people out there that play VIIs too.
FWIW IMHO no one should pay Roberto's prices for a saxophone.
As for where else to look, here is a list of websites that I have compiled over the last few months:
www.stohrermusic.com (SOTW member abadcliche)
www.2ndending.com (SOTW member JayePDX)
www.saxoasis.com (SOTW member les)
www.usahorn.com
www.worldwidesax.com
www.vintagesax.com
www.junkdude.com
www.cybersax.com
www.saxalley.com
www.pmwoodwind.com
www.saxquest.com
www.kesslermusic.com
And expect to pay a premium going through a dealer vs a private sale.
www.stohrermusic.com (SOTW member abadcliche)
www.2ndending.com (SOTW member JayePDX)
www.saxoasis.com (SOTW member les)
www.usahorn.com
www.worldwidesax.com
www.vintagesax.com
www.junkdude.com
www.cybersax.com
www.saxalley.com
www.pmwoodwind.com
www.saxquest.com
www.kesslermusic.com
And expect to pay a premium going through a dealer vs a private sale.
Add to that list: TenorMadness.com
and it's Saxquest.com (vs "sawquest" - that's an entirely different matter).
and it's Saxquest.com (vs "sawquest" - that's an entirely different matter).
Mea culpa. I should acknowledge that every teenage boy NEEDS a Mk VI tenor and perhaps a 1965 Mustang too.Me too, especially suggesting other horns with none of the qualities of the horn the person is seeking.
Go for it!
Oops. I'll edit the post. :mrgreen:Add to that list: TenorMadness.com
and it's Saxquest.com (vs "sawquest" - that's an entirely different matter).
@Dr. G.
I know my son wants a Mark VI. I also know he's not getting one.
I know my son wants a Mark VI. I also know he's not getting one.
+1@Dr. G.
I know my son wants a Mark VI. I also know he's not getting one.
My kids are likely going to be looking for Bueschers and Borganis - and may get them!
(shhhhhh - don't tell them)
1 - 20 of 63 Posts
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