They are all manufactured in France. The ones for sale in America were shipped to the U.S in parts, unengraved and unlaqured. Engraved, laquered and assembled in U.S.

According to popular belief in the '60's when I bought mine, the difference was in the setup - the US horns generally set up with the keys further off the tone holes so that they got a bigger sound, while the French-Assembled horns had faster action and a more intimate sound.

 

That's very interesting, thanks very much!

 

Amen, JL. If the horn has been played any of the last 30+ years, I would hope that the setup has been adjusted.

The greater - and more lasting difference - between the French- and American-assembled horns is the finish and engraving.

If neither finish nor engraving affect the sound, which would you rather buy? I prefer a plain silver plate tenor.

 

Amen, JL. If the horn has been played any of the last 30+ years, I would hope that the setup has been adjusted.

If neither finish nor engraving affect the sound, which would you rather buy? I prefer a plain silver plate tenor.

+1 that's the question...and no one really cares with the answer, because it doesn't matter

my mk has no engraving and it's :lick:

 

It ( wiki) also mentions that traditionallly the French market sax had a fleur de lys engraved on the bow, whereas the ones that were engraved in Elkhart did not.
I wish I would know how to bring the Wiki site on this thread, but, I just don't know how to do this.
Nevertheless, it is quite interesting.
It also seems that the serial numbers start with the year of manufacturing, 54###### and not from zero.
Ronald

 

It ( wiki) also mentions that traditionallly the French market sax had a fleur de lys engraved on the bow, whereas the ones that were engraved in Elkhart did not.
I wish I would know how to bring the Wiki site on this thread, but, I just don't know how to do this.

Cut and paste the URL.

Ex. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selmer_Mark_VI

It also seems that the serial numbers start with the year of manufacturing, 54###### and not from zero.

Well that's patently WRONG.

http://saxgourmet.com/serial.html

Hmmm, made the mistake of reading that Wiki "Mk VI" entry - it's full of misinformation and inconsistencies.

 

Another difference between the US and French assembly was that on the US horns the bow was soldered to the body-the French horns were just glued. I have both French and American VI tenors-I've had the bow soldered to the body on the French horn. The difference is subtle but real. I did like the horn before it was soldered too.
Quoting or believing most of what's published on Wiki is a gamble at best....not always the best info.

 

i'm thinking about soldering mine. What differences did you noticed? soldering the bow to the body by a tech (of course) is a risky operation?

 

Thanks for recalling that bit about the body/bow joint, Thomas.

SaxT - I had the bow/body joint of my Ref 36 soldered when Randy Jones went through it. Granted, that was not the only thing done at the time but the net result of his work was a perceptible increase in resonance. And it wasn't just me. I didn't tell my quartet about the work on my horn but they all heard a big difference in the first rehearsal after I got the horn back - it just FILLED the room. OK, I'll take some credit as the player...

The operation is only risky if your tech has no experience doing the job - kinda like a hernia operation.

 

Thanks for recalling that bit about the body/bow joint, Thomas.

SaxT - I had the bow/body joint of my Ref 36 soldered when Randy Jones went through it. Granted, that was not the only thing done at the time but the net result of his work was a perceptible increase in resonance. And it wasn't just me. I didn't tell my quartet about the work on my horn but they all heard a big difference in the first rehearsal after I got the horn back - it just FILLED the room. OK, I'll take some credit as the player...

The operation is only risky if your tech has no experience doing the job - kinda like a hernia operation.

Just to get clear, and thank you for your input, you felt the horn more resonant. The horn tone didn't changed, the horn resistance (airy) didn't changed and it didn't started playing louder or anything? maybe a stupid question i know, i do not know much about technician stuff

 

Thanks for the replies,
I knew someone in here had to have experiences with both.
I always thought that Wiki got their info straight from a company; but who knows....
Ronald

 

That's what got me started:
http://www.saxpics.com/?v=mod&modID=14

 

Ralph Morgan told me that the Mark VI saxophones that came to Elkhart had a coat of clear lacquer on them. He said that there were no less than 5 coats of lacquer applied to the Mark VI horns from Elkart. I don't remember if that counted the original one from France. Several of the Elkhart coats of lacquer had the gold tint in them, which is why the Elkhart Selmers were darker than the clear lacquer French ones. Those points were told to me by Ralph Morgan.

Also in years of repairing I encountered nearly all Elkhart Mark VI Selmers as NOT being soldered at the bow.

- anchorsax

 

My 1964 alto was bought in France and the bow is neither soldered or glued. It has a light gold lacquer and not clear. I got it in Feb. 1964.

 

I'm resurrecting this thread because I have a friend who's currently trying to sell a French assembled 1956 Mark VI alto. He just talked to a shop that claims that the french assembled horn is selling for roughly $4000 LESS than the American one. The shop initially valued the horn around $9K or more but then said because it's a French one it's worth more like $6K. I've never heard anyone say there is a value difference between the two before and I think they're just trying to rip this guy off.

Am I wrong? Is there really a premium for the US assembled one? Is $6k for a 56 Alto with original laquer in good shape really reasonable?

Thanks for your help

 

I'm resurrecting this thread because I have a friend who's currently trying to sell a French assembled 1956 Mark VI alto. He just talked to a shop that claims that the french assembled horn is selling for roughly $4000 LESS than the American one. The shop initially valued the horn around $9K or more but then said because it's a French one it's worth more like $6K. I've never heard anyone say there is a value difference between the two before and I think they're just trying to rip this guy off.

Am I wrong? Is there really a premium for the US assembled one? Is $6k for a 56 Alto with original laquer in good shape really reasonable?

Thanks for your help

Yes, if you talk to dealers then there is a difference in the price that a Euro and a US MKVI sells for. It has nothing to do with how the horn plays and they were all manufactured in France. However, all other things equal, the difference is nowhere close to what you mention and I have a hard time believing that a shop cannot tell right away whether it is French or US assembled and would have to back down on their original estimate.

 

Man, things sure swing. Years ago, the FRENCH models were much desired, because the thought was that they kept the best ones for their fellow countrymen, and sent the jalopies to America to players who wouldn't know any different. Since, it has now swapped i guess? Whats the premium for a US-tweaked model?

 

Man, things sure swing. Years ago, the FRENCH models were much desired, because the thought was that they kept the best ones for their fellow countrymen...

Says who? Since the US horns were assembled in the US, how would anyone know which is better/best? You're spreading simplistic unsubstantiated hearsay once more.

 

If I remember correctly both my '63 alto and '68 ten MKVI bows were band screwed on. I never had to disassemble so I don't know about glued or soldered. Why either? They appeared to be very tight, no need in either.

Just checked my MKVII, half the bow is band screwed, the other possibly soldered or glued or neither/nothing.

 

Years ago, prior to internet rumors & ravings, I never heard of any distinction between French and American assembled MKVIs. Years ago, when the MKVI was still in production, they were simply called "Selmers" and generally considered the best horns on the market.

 

You're talking the '60s, when there wasn't a whole s*it load of Selmer models to chose from, and the way God intended. :bluewink2:

Furthermore I'm pretty sure the MKVI horns were imported already assembled.