Six vs Six

[ralexander]

Just got my 5 digit six and it just handsdown smokes my 6 digit six. Can't wait to get it regulated and really dialed in. It's really true.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[PB]

gold or silver?

[ralexander]

It's a nice dark gold old relaquer, in very good condition.

[Dave Dolson]

ralexander: While I'm glad that you obtained a nice playing saxophone, I wouldn't go so far as to claim five-digits are better than six-digits based on one experience. I'll bet that somewhere in the world there is a Zephyr or a TrueTone or a Chu or a new Yamaha or a late-VI that will smoke your five-digit VI.

There are so many variables involved that claims about any ONE model being better than any other model over the range of all those manufactured are just not true.

No animosity intended and I'd like to try that five-digit horn of yours, but many posters make these kind of claims (one such horn is better than others because THEIRS played great) or try to make generalizations in comparing tenor VIs to Ref 54s, etc. and anyone whose played for a while knows about the variables. Good luck! DAVE

[ralexander]

Dave I appreciate your response, However I am just comparing the two examples that I have to play. One being a very nice six digit horn recently tuned and highly regarded as a very good horn to one that the fedex lady just delivered to my door and right out of the box has great intonation, top to botttom ease of playing, and an incredible tone that I did not know I could produce. I don't doubt that some other horn may very well blow both horns away. To add apples and oranges to a bowl of cherries may overwhelm the taste buds. Again no horn should be judged by a number but only by the way it plays.

[Bootman]

The other thing to take into account is that your tastes change over the years. What was great at one time may not float your boat in 5 yrs time. This is my excuse for owning more than one horn, and for continuing to test drive new horns. I still keep the old ones though!

[Dave Dolson]

Bootman and Ralexander: Agreed. DAVE

[hornstar]

about 4 years ago I paid big bucks for a dead-mint 5-digit tenor. I played it for a few weeks, until I realized it didn't sound any better than my pre-cigar cutter Super, so I sold it. 21/2 years ago I bought an SBA, my current love, which I regularly A/B against VI's since just to satisfy myself that I have the magic horn. Last year I was in The WW&BW Shop in NYC (since closed) trying out mouthpieces for the SBA. I notice this VI, almost no lacquer, tarnished, really butt-ugly. I try it, and I swear it kicked the snot out of any other tenor I'd ever played, before or since! They wanted $4500 so I talked myself out of it, figuring it was $1,000 too much for a non-preferred S/N (147xxx), I didn't even make an offer. . It's the horn (not the S/N), stupid has been playing in my head ever since.

[Cameron Wigmore]

Every time another sax player sees my horn they say "nice horn. Super 80?" They have a tough time believing me when I tell them it's a MK VI. The numer is 198986, so it's about a '72, and has allmost all the original laquer. Lotsa guys go "aw, it's a LATE model", and others go " WOW. it's purrdy". The bottom line, as stated above, is that it blows r-e-a-l nice.

[PB]

When I tested a silver 75xxx tenor in a shop a few months ago, I was really impressed how it sounded. One day later I asked a friend to test this horn. He came with his 55xxx Selmer and played both saxes - so did I. His sound was very good and thick on his horn and very thin on the silver one. So I tried his horn and my sound was okay - really nice but not strong. At fff the tone broke away and didn`t project.
On the silver one the room was at once full with sound. Everyone looked at this horn and wondered. Then the dealer said: `I think this is your horn!` - so I bought it. I`m always pushing lots of air through horns because I was used to my old King and Conn horns. This silver Mk6 can take the air. The second best Mk6 I played was a 221xxx.
Long text - no sense:
Find a good Mk6 for your taste and MP. They are all so different and there are killers from 55xxx to 230xxx. That is my opinion.

[JL]

I think PB hit on something. The horn that plays well for one person, may not sound well for someone else. I'm also very skeptical of the serial number thing. I've owned a 121xxx VI tenor for many years and it's a killer (at least for me). I compared it to another VI that a freind of mine had (don't remember the serial #) and his sounded very thin and weak compared to mine. Bottom line is if you find a "good one" that works for you, go for it.

[madav]

has anyone got some RELIABLE in formation on exactly what the design changes were during the VI run?, maybe this should be a new topic? 5dpending on the interest)

[pbsax]

you can go directly to the selmer.com website to see a chart for the S/N and the corresponding years. I've played sixes anywhere from 170XXX, 128XXX, and my horn now 106XXX. A lot of the way a horn plays has to do with the way a player changes over time. At one point I hated the 128XXX then later played it for 2 years. The 106XXX, however, has a huge sound and is the closed I could get to a 5 digit with my budget. Numbers won't discriminate horns that well, go with the horn that's the best. :!:

[madav]

I'm actually talking about the specific changes in bore/tenon siwe, positioning of actave keys (?), adjustment scews for the lower stack metal v plastic thumb rest etc...

Sooner these things always come up in a discussion of VI's and I'm just curious if anyone has a clear idea of what heppened and when

[jd]

i have played a bunch of 6s. own 5 of them 3 tenr 2 alto.i have an original 103*** tenor that i love and thought nothing could beat it for years . until i tried my present love ( a 214***) relaq tenor ! thats my main axe and i have an original 103*** and 155*** thats not seeing much action these days. would sell any of them but the 214*** is the best one ?? go figure??itd the horn not the serial # TRUE

[Keith]

Ralexander

Please forgive my stupid question, I am a newbie. What exactly does regulation do. I thought it just helps the horn play easier and more in tone. However you said the VI you have plays great right out of the box and yet you still need a regulation. What gives?

[tyler_terlecki]

i think he meant he didnt have to tweak it,

[ralexander]

Keith, Regulation is the adjustment of the keys for the best intonation. Also an adjustment of the action for the best performance. I can tell that the corks on this horn are old and some are compressed as are some of the felts. This allows the keys to open up more than desired resulting in some slight tuning differences. Also when it is serviced all leaks will be fixed and the rods lubed. The person who I bought it from says he had it serviced however after shipping things can change, also the level of service varies from person to person. Still even in its present condition it plays better than my 157xxx mk6 that was recently serviced.

[Keith]

Thank you for your answer, I learn new things everyday here. By the way I am happy that you find your "true voice". I wish someday I will be able to afford one of those wonderful horn.

[JL]

Keith, don't be afraid to try some other horns that aren't quite so pricey (although some are catching up to the VI), especially vintage ones. I love my VI tenor, but no more than my 1950 Buescher Aristocrat--in fact I play the 'Crat more. Just tried out a Super 20 that could easily put my VI in the closet for awhile. My point is not put down the VIs (they are GREAT horns), but to say there are many other fine saxes you can get for a much more reasonable price.