Should I sell my Mark VI soprano for a JK or ...

[Riff]

I have a 1974 Mark VI soprano 211,xxx that I bought new in 1974.
In the 29 years that I've owned it, it probably only has about 2 years of play time on it. It is essentially a closet horn. All but 2 of the pads are original. The original lacquer is perfect except for a couple of black "age spots" here and there. It is NOT engraved.

Since I hardly ever play the thing, and since I love my SX90R tenor to the point that I may sell my Series III alto to get a JK alto, should I also sell my soprano to get a JK soprano? Or maybe just sell it for the cash since I rarely play soprano anyway?

FWIW: Recently I saw both Chris Potter and Dave Leibman live and they were both using black nickel JK sopranos. They sounded great!

[Riff]

Hmmm...No opinions? :shock: Everone has an opinion! Let's hear 'em.

[M Exner]

Follow your heart Riff.

I sold my Mark VI alto to buy a Yamaha Custom soprano ( A real heart transplant). The soprano is simply a wonderful instrument and I am truly happy with the transaction. I bought the 62 to replace the alto voice.

Make sure you try said instruments before you do anything drastic. Sometimes it is not necessarily a good idea to stay with the same brand on different voices.

Sounds like you are a real JK sax fan. I don't have too much experience with those you mention and cannot give informed advice. Good Luck Mike

[Dave Dolson]

Riff: You begged . . . I once had a MKVI soprano (really mediocre) and eventually sold it. Within the past five years I've tried many new sops and bought several. The ones that impressed me were Yanagisawas (the most consistent good players among all the brands I tried - and owned, including Serie III, JK, Rampone, and Yamaha).

I never looked back to the MKVI - most everything I've tested and owned since then was superior to the VI I owned. I cannot advise you about leaving the soprano, though. Sops are my favorites. DAVE

[Riff]

Thanks guys.
I am most interested in the JK but I'm open to other brands.
I know a local player who bought an SX90 bn off ebay. It sounds real good!

At the moment I'm more interested in switching my alto over to JK, the soprano will probably be on the back burner for awhile yet. I appreciate the advice though.

[Morry]

My new gold lacquer over nickel alto is, by far, the best alto I've ever played. Go for it. You won't regret it.

[Ritchie]

The JK sopranos are great. But of course this is a question of personal preference. Selmers and JK do sound quite different, so you have to decide which you like better.

[Paul Coats]

I sold my Mk VI soprano (a 198,xxx from about 1973) some years back. The Mk VI soprano is not up to the standards of the other Mk VI's. As your was, mine had no engraving other than the stamped Selmer logo.

Also consider, besides the Keilwerth, the Selmer Series III, the Yamahas, and especially, the Yanagisawas.

[Big Nick]

Funny innit?

The only MkVI I ever really liked was a soprano.

[Joe Jazz]

Riff-

I love my recent JKSX90R plain nickel/clear lacquer alto so much I'm thinking about getting a JK soprano also. Have to sell my Yamaha silver-plated 675 first though. I'd probably want the same finish on the soprano, which may limit me to the SX90 straight neck only due to price considerations......