[BigBen23]

I have owned Selmer Mark VI alto a handful of Yamahas from 26-82z and all are very nice horns I sold the Mark VI because I hated gigging with a 6k instrument so I sold it. I had been looking for a Saxophone that was tonally similar (not the same) but with better intonation. A year ago on a whim I tried a Cannonball VR alto and compared it with multiple MK VI's (I must preface by saying none of these MK VI's weren't great or bad but good horns that were set up good) while the Cannonball was very similar tonally it most definitely had it's own sound or the "cannonball sound" if you will. I preferred the VR because of intonation and the price was too good to pass on. I'm not going to claim its the best horn because that'd be ridiculous but when I bought my Sanborn mouthpiece from Drake to pair with the horn suddenly the gap between my Yamaha 82Z and it closed rapidly enough that I sold my 82Z. I am curious though if others had similar findings or if I got the magic CBAVR.

 

[Saxaholic]

I owned a VR alto a little while ago. It was an outstanding horn. A perfect blend of vintage and modern, IMO. Had a creamy rich center but with some cut and clarity and excellent intonation and ergonomics. Was a unique sound and I really enjoyed it. I really only play tenor now, but if I picked alto back up they would be one of the first horns I would look at.

- Saxaholic

 

[Dr G]

... when I bought my Sanborn mouthpiece from Drake to pair with the horn suddenly the gap between my Yamaha 82Z and it closed rapidly enough that I sold my 82Z. I am curious though if others had similar findings or if I got the magic CBAVR.

That indicates to me that the character of the mouthpiece is dominating that of the horn.

Enjoy the horn.

 

[BigBen23]

It is very mouthpiece friendly but the Jody Jazz mouthpiece I had originally for it which I still have for big band wasn't giving me that edge that I love from Yamaha and why I had both up until recently but when I got the Sanborn mouthpiece it brought in that edge but I still had that really good low end and tone that I love.

 

[Mezzzz]

It is very mouthpiece friendly but the Jody Jazz mouthpiece I had originally for it which I still have for big band wasn't giving me that edge that I love from Yamaha and why I had both up until recently but when I got the Sanborn mouthpiece it brought in that edge but I still had that really good low end and tone that I love.

Also love my new "David Sanborn" Alto mouthpiece by "Drake" but have mine paired with a "Yamaha Custom Z II". I have not tried it yet on my "Selmer Mark VI" but soon will. I'm confident that it will work out just fine on the Selmer! This new Sanborn mouthpiece will never appeal to anyone who just thinks/assumes of the pitch/sound that Sanborn produces but they will be pleasantly surprised. It puts the old Dukoff to shame. The color throughout and the healthy bottom end is outstanding.

Sad to see you sold your Mark VI and your Custom Z. My friends and I call the Yamaha Custom Z II the new modern......Selmer Mark VI! Good luck on your new set up!

 

[BigBen23]

I totally agree with you. Someone who thinks a mouthpiece will turn them into a certain saxophone player is looking to be disappointed it won't happen I still sound like me and I always will. I've really enjoyed each horn I've owned and each one I sold for more or the same price as I bought it for. I bought the MK VI for 3000 and sold it for 6000, 82Z 3500 broke even and the CBVR 2600 if I add the Sanborn mouthpiece I paid for my set up $3100 but hey I'm not married to the horn if someone offered me more than what I paid for it I might take them up on it.

 

[tedtelle1]

I just purchased a Custom Z tenor and much prefer it to the VR tenor. I was in my local music store looking for a VR tenor and tried the Z and VR back to back.Walked out with the Z. Never had the opportunity to play a Z alto. My VR alto is a keeper,

 

[BigBen23]

I've heard really good things about the YAS-82Zii but my local shops prefer to sell the 62iii instead of the 82Zii

 

[leycroft]

I have mainly played Selmer over the last forty years but ove been so pleasantly surprised by the Yamaha 62 111 i bought as a back up to my series 11 S 80.

 

[BigBen23]

UPDATE!!!!!!!!! lol

I sold the VR and am now back with a Selmer Mark VI 119XXX for recording and a Yamaha YAS-82zii for gigging. I still like the VR but it wasn't as good as either new horns in my wheelhouse.

 

[Reet McVouty]

UPDATE!!!!!!!!! lol

I sold the VR and am now back with a Selmer Mark VI 119XXX for recording and a Yamaha YAS-82zii for gigging. I still like the VR but it wasn't as good as either new horns in my wheelhouse.

I think it's clear Ben, you need an intervention. It seems you are suffering from a profound case of G.A.S. . I also think you would do just fine with any given quality saxophone, you just like new toys to play with.

 

[tedtelle1]

I think it's clear Ben, you need an intervention. It seems you are suffering from a profound case of G.A.S. . I also think you would do just fine with any given quality saxophone, you just like new toys to play with.

+1

 

[BigBen23]

lol Maybe your right haha. I would've held onto it but a friend offered me more than I paid for it and I'd sell any sax for a profit. Both the Mark VI and the YAS-82Zii (Brand New) were steals at the price I was given. I paid 3.5k each and I sold the VR for 3.4k when I bought it for 2.7K brand new. I still highly recommend the CBVR but the "players horn mark VI and the 82Zii with the V1 neck were significantly better in terms of tone but certainly not build quality.

 

[LostConn]

I sold the VR for 3.4k when I bought it for 2.7K brand new.

$3,400? What kind of sucker would pay that much money for a used Cannonball alto? It's easy for find a used Selmer Paris horn for less than that. You should post the details of this transaction in the "Advice on Buying and Selling a Saxophone" subforum. It would be inspiring/appalling, depending on one's perspective.

 

[BigBen23]

$3,400? What kind of sucker would pay that much money for a used Cannonball alto? It's easy for find a used Selmer Paris horn for less than that. You should post the details of this transaction in the "Advice on Buying and Selling a Saxophone" subforum. It would be inspiring/appalling, depending on one's perspective.

I was surprised as you but he fell in love with it after I let him borrow it for 2 months and when he went to my local Sam Ash they told him $3,500 and I half heartily said you can have mine for $3400 and to my surprise he handed me the cash and walked away with a really nice CBVR lol. Now I did call my Sam Ash afterwards as why the price hike and they said that Cannonball had raised their prices but i had a feeling it was a little bit of that store simply can barely keep those horns in stock with how fast they go out the door. This stores prices can be ridiculous at times. For example they are trying to sell a Mark VI for 6599.99 that in reality is only worth 2700-3000 bc it needs a complete overhaul and it only has maybe 60% lacquer and on top of it it is store policy that their tech isn't allowed to work on a Mark VI. I've talked to them in length about it but they seem to believe its a reasonable price.

 

[tedtelle1]

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
Abraham Lincoln :bluewink:

 

[BigBen23]

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
Abraham Lincoln :bluewink:

I get what your saying is partly in jest but if you like to verify my claim you can look at a few other threads and you'll notice I've been consistent about what I bought the horn for its original sticker price and so forth. My saxophone was spotless and to the buyer he felt he was saving a $100.

 

[tedtelle1]

What I was saying wasn't partly in jest. It was COMPLETELY in jest.

 

[BigBen23]

What I was saying wasn't partly in jest. It was COMPLETELY in jest.

Cool

 

[saxzman]

All I can say is I bought my Cannonball BB alto for 1500 and my VR tenor for 1800. They are awesome horns at that price. Used of course but in mint condition