henri selmer saxophone [Archive] - Sax on the Web Forum

Gill D

08-14-2006, 11:30 AM

No Idea about saxophones but since my father in law died my husband and I have inherited two, I did receive one reply but I cannot find an address for the shop he suggested. One of the saxophones is a henri selmer brev sgdg 920653. If that means anything to anyone and they think they can give us some info we would be eternally grateful.

Thanks Gill

Tharruff

08-14-2006, 03:38 PM

The number you have listed is a French patent number but we (or at least, I) will need more than that to go on to give you any idea what the horn might be.

Flat Al

08-14-2006, 03:49 PM

The Wind Section, 7 Yorkk Place, Edinburgh. Tel: 0131 557 6543
or www.thewindsection.com

Gill D

08-14-2006, 07:26 PM

Thank you I tried everything but couldn't find a website, I have emailed them and hope to get a response soon. I only wish I had the musical ability to play cos that would be something. Unfortunately I am tone deaf and without any rythmn.

Gill

Canadiain

08-14-2006, 07:58 PM

Unfortunately I am tone deaf and without any rythmn.

Gill
You would fit right in with the rest of my section:)

Can you post some pictures, or a link to some pictures. Lots of people with a lot of knowledge here, and probably many potential buyers too.

Tharruff

08-14-2006, 08:58 PM

Gill,

Is there any engraving or stampings on the Bell ? Numbers ? Letters ? If so, what does it say ? The serial number might be on the bell under the Selmer logo or more likely it will be on the back below the thumb rest. What is the serial number ? Is it silver plated ? Or lacquered brass ?

Does it have dents, dings, scratches ?

The answers to these kinds of questions will help determine what you have.

And as Canadian posted above, if you could supply a couple of photos you could probably get an answer pretty quickly.

SAXISMYAXE

08-14-2006, 09:07 PM

........Or posting a photo of the pertinent areas of the horn as described above will at least help us identify the horn model and approximate date of manufacture for you.

Gill D

08-14-2006, 09:37 PM

Oh goodness, can't believe how much help everyone is being. Will ask my husband to bring the saxophone out so we can take a pic and hopefully post it on the site so we can get some more info. Thanks, Jimmy would have loved this site wish we had found it when he was alive.
Gill

Tharruff

08-14-2006, 10:03 PM

Gill,

Okay, so I took my own 1963 Selmer Mark VI Alto out of its case and saw that the French patent number (the top number of all of the patent numbers) is: sgdg 920653

So I'm going ot go out a limb and guess sight unseen that you have a Mark VI Selmer of some yet to be determined vintage.

Please post some more information.

Do you even know if it is an Alto or a Tenor Sax ? (or other ?)

Gill D

08-15-2006, 02:50 PM

Canadiain

08-15-2006, 03:01 PM

Not managing the technology thing very well. Took some pics this afternoon but can't seem to attach them here. Both saxophones could to with some tlc, one is larger than the other and they seem to be in the original cases, lots of wear and tear, was going to try and clean them up but not sure what to use. I believe it is laquered brass, but not sure.
There are limitation to the size of pics you can attach here.

You best bet is to upload them to a site like photobucket (you might have to set up an account, but its free) and then post a link to that site here.

You could also embed the images from the outside host site by posting the link to each one using the little picture icon up top of the edit pane, next to the speech bubble quote icon.

It sounds like a tenor and an alto, and if they are Mk6 Selmers, they are quite valuable to say the least. Dont clean them up unless you know what you are doing, you could damage the finish..or lack there of.

Gill D

08-15-2006, 03:17 PM

OK so I did the photobucket thing! Could someone let me know if it worked and where else I can photograph, the sax in the case with the red lining is in better condition than the other one and is the larger of the two.

Gill
http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/GillD_2006/

Tharruff

08-15-2006, 03:28 PM

Gill,

The photobucket thing worked and you have two Mark VI's.

The smaller of the two is an Alto. It is older than the larger one (which is a Tenor). If you post at least the first two or three digits of the serial numbers someone can give you a ballpark on the years of manufacture.

Example: 105XXX

I can tell that the Tenor is newer because it has the plastic thumb hook while the Alto has a brass one. I don't recall what year the plastic thumb hooks began to be used.

They are both great horns by the way...you have made a great score to get these.

Gill D

08-15-2006, 03:35 PM

The first one(smaller) is M 82***
The second one is M 140***

Thanks for all this help by the way, we are completely useless we hoped if they were worth something we could sell them and split the proceeds between his four grandchildren.

Pinnman

08-15-2006, 04:08 PM

Well done Gill - you struck gold!

amg

08-15-2006, 04:09 PM

Congratulations, they are worth something ... shops and dealers in the UK are currently offering Mk VI altos for sale at about 3000 pounds and tenors at up to 4000 (sometimes more...)

Of course if one of the grandchildren is (or becomes) a saxophone player he/she may not be thrilled to know that they COULD have had grandad's Mk VI but ... (just joking there).

Canadiain

08-15-2006, 04:15 PM

Oh, Yeah, they are worth something for sure!

Out of my price range anyway, but congratulations. By the way, the mouthpieces that would have been used with horns of this age and calliber might well also be quite valuable. The market for some vintage mouthpieces is quite insane. Are there any mouthpieces in the cases you can give details or pictures of too?

If you want an idea of the sax values take a look in the marketplace here (Mk6 or VI) and also ebay. Ebay gets a bit stupid but it will give an idea. In good playing condition $3-4+k is about normal now for these, although some serial number ranges carry near mythical status now and are even crazier money.

The alto is from ~1959, the tenor ~1966

A good mk 6 (alto or tenor) from a reputable source is anything from $5k and up! and they are only going to appreciate in value. I'd be tempted to keep hold of them as an heirloom. Or else hold on and only cash them in when the grandkids hit Uni, who knows, maybe one will become a player along the way, in which case all the better!

On the other hand not all Mk6s were great players, and a lot is dependent on how well adjusted and set up they are, just like any other horn, although few folks around here like to admit that now the prices are so high regardless of if they are good players or not!

Tharruff

08-15-2006, 04:18 PM

Gill,

The Alto (M 82XXX) was made in approximately 1960.

The Tenor (M 140XXX) was made in approximately 1967.

I'll repeat that you have a great pair of Mark VI's and could sell them for a good bit of money in today's market.

Once again...congratulations and good luck.

whaler

08-15-2006, 06:43 PM

Unless you really need the money, hold onto them and let the grandchildren decide for themselves. If any of them may want to play, you'll never be able to replace them without spending big bucks. You have two of the best horns ever made and they are only going up in value.

saxmanglen

08-15-2006, 06:52 PM

This may sound silly but don't get the horns restored or "re-finished" to make them look better. Unlike cars that you want to have painted and spruced up, these horns are more valuable in the original wornout looking finish. As long as they have not been relaquered already.

J.Max

08-15-2006, 10:48 PM

Those are very nice looking Mark VIs! Type in "Selmer Mark VI" on eBay to get an idea of current pricing...the five-digit serial number ones are in particular demand.

bruce bailey

08-16-2006, 05:35 AM

As I recall, the plastic thumb hook came around 1966. My May 1965 Tenor had the metal one. I have put the plastic ones on a lot of older VIs.

Gill D

08-17-2006, 10:06 PM

Many thanks to everyone who has helped us over the last few days! We have alot of thinking to do about the future of the saxaphones but have much more knowledge and understanding now. Particularly the posts suggesting we hold on to them have given food for thought! The best thing however has been the passion for the instrument that people have shown I am in awe. I have a better understanding why Jimmy loved it so much and he did. Thanks again, all our best wishes.

Gill D and the family of the late Jimmy D x

saxmanglen

08-17-2006, 11:40 PM

Gil,

There's no rush in any decision you make! Those horns are the most revered and sought after horns out there. Their almost mythical reputation will most likely cause them to continue to appreciate in value.

Let us know what you finally decide to do with them. They deserve to be in the hands of a player!

bruce bailey

08-18-2006, 06:48 AM

I think these things have leveled off this summer but at any rate, they are probably better than money in the bank. Everytime I think a horn has reached its peak, the next year it is 20% higher.

AndyW

08-18-2006, 10:33 AM

The Wind Section, 7 York Place, Edinburgh. Tel: 0131 557 6543
or www.thewindsection.com

yeah- if you can get to Edinburgh,
Jonathan Griffin is your man at the Wind Section.
They will happily sell your horns on commission of about 20%.
Both those Mk6s should make around between £2600 to £3000 each, maybe more - demand outstrips supply in Scotland ;-)

Andy

Glasgow

(though I'm not sure why we should think you're in Scotland... ??)

Gill D

08-18-2006, 09:38 PM

We have contacted both london and Edinburgh now and they have been really helpful. Going to have a family get together and hopefully make some sort of decision soon. I have got to be honest holding on to them is more appealing at the moment! If we can just get a price at the moment then we will have a better idea. Thanks again.

Gill

Canadiain

08-19-2006, 01:11 AM

Gill, are there any mouthpieces with them?

Good idea to let the family decide.

Gill D

08-19-2006, 11:03 AM

Yes they both have mouthpieces with them! I guess they are the originals as Jimmy was the only owner. I think they have decided to sell them, we are just going to wait and see what offers we get, Hopefully we can get someone who will really look after them and not leave them lying in a loft, which is where they will end up if we keep them.

Pete

08-22-2006, 06:30 PM

I disagree with everyone. They're junk. I'll give you $20 cash right now for the lot of 'em ....

:D

Pete Thomas

08-22-2006, 07:32 PM

Although many of thesde are very nice horns, the current price of MK VI Selmer saxophones is way higher than their actual worth as instruments, so it might be a good idea to cash in before reality hits in on a certain market.

However I'd agree that it might be nice to keep in the family if any children might want to play on family heirloom. There's no price on that really.

Mike F

08-22-2006, 10:55 PM

Martinman

08-22-2006, 11:02 PM

Just a warning though, if your grandkids do decide to play sax, don't let them use these right off the bat. It would be like giving a 16 year old kid who just got his drivers liscense a brand new Mustang Convertable, or some comparible really really nice (and expensive) car.

Don't ever, ever, ever let them use them from marching band either.

bruce bailey

08-23-2006, 05:47 AM

A new Mustang would be like a new Yamaha; A '63 split window Sting Ray would be the Mark VI.

Pete Thomas

08-23-2006, 04:50 PM

Pete, this could be (probably has been!) the subject of another thread, but I have to say that although I can't see the price of mk6's rising at the current rate for ever, I certainly can't see them ever falling significantly if at all, and to that extent they represent a good investment. At the end of the day, how can you objectively value something that can't be replicated?

Ooops, I didn't mean to imply i thought the value would definitely fall significantly, but like any investment in collectables, there can be quite a risk involved. If anyone could actually predict the vintage market I think things would be different.

I believe the inflated attached to MKVIs is very much due to the connection with what many people see as the golden era of jazz and the masters who played them - it's an iconic instrument at the moment and jazz from the 50s and 60s this era is still fashionable and popular.

I wonder what the situation will be in 30 or so years time if those players have largely been forgotten by the majority as has happened with many of the great players of the 1910s and 20s. (Note the"if" - I don't want to start anything here).

Having said all that if a good MKVI was available I might invest in one. The ones I have had haven't been that good (I always had intonation problems with them). I would buy one if was as good to play as my other horns and I would hope that it would be a good investment, but I would also accept the risks just as I have with buying other collectables.

Martinman

08-23-2006, 08:06 PM

A new Mustang would be like a new Yamaha; A '63 split window Sting Ray would be the Mark VI.

Thanks for correcting my anology; I am not a car person, just wanted to use something easy to understand.

Gill D

08-30-2006, 03:43 PM

Well that's the saxaphone up for sale. Thanks everyone for your help. I just hope the broccoli is wrong and we get a good price, we have decided just to sell one at the moment seemed like the right thing just now.

Thanks again

Gill
x

rleitch

08-30-2006, 04:28 PM

I'm with Pete,

Since the horns are too nice to save for a beginner player anyway, they'd surely get more by selling and putting the cash in a mutual fund of some sort--like a gov't secured education fund.

R.

ps. the Broccoli! :D If that doesn't stick I think we should all be ashamed of ourselves!

Gill D

09-04-2006, 08:35 PM

The horn that really needs no introduction -- it's the most famous horn on the planet. If you've never played one, you're missing out on the (arguably) best horn ever made. Let's be honest.

I found this on someones web site

Fred

09-04-2006, 10:33 PM

Someone asked about the mouthpieces but did not elaborate. Let me explain:

Mouthpieces don't need to go with the saxes; mouthpieces get swapped around all the time. But sax mouthpieces - especially some of the older ones - can be quite pricey. There are lots of sax mouthpieces selling for $400-$600. So don't be too quick to "throw in" the mouthpiece with the sax. Then again, we've established the pedigree of your saxes; the mouthpieces may or may not be of premium value. If you post what you've got, we'll try to help.

Sorry for your loss. I hope the family is all doing OK.

Gill D

09-04-2006, 11:17 PM

Thanks Fred, we have actually already posted the sax on ebay. Everything is included so hopefull interested buyers will realise its value. We have had a lot of interest but no bids yet. Keep your fingers crossed.

Martinman

09-04-2006, 11:32 PM

Could you possibly post the link to the ebay site?

Gill D

09-04-2006, 11:57 PM

Thats a tough one, the item no is :29002459081 if that helps. Sorry computers aren't my thing.

Gill

Martinman

09-05-2006, 12:43 AM

I couldn't get it to work.

All you have to do is copy and paste the "ww.ebay.com/........" in the address bar.

Good luck with the sale.

Gill D

09-05-2006, 05:55 AM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Henri-Selmer-Mk-6-1966-Saxophone_W0QQitemZ290024549081QQihZ019QQcategoryZ 16234QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Doug Lange

09-05-2006, 07:09 AM

If possible, add to the listing:
one owner horn.
original condition, if it hasn't been relaquered.
original neck with matching serial number.
model of mouthpiece.
Close up images of the bow and bell. These are spots of potential damage.

Potential buyers will want to know why you are selling the horn, especially you being new to ebay.

Good luck with the auction.

Canadiain

09-05-2006, 02:12 PM

Your biggest problem with that listing is your lack of feedback.

Few, if any serious bidders (unaware of this back story) will bid that kind of money when the seller has no history.

Also, there are not enough pictures of the right sort of things. Take a look at some of the other expensive saxes listing on ebay and see how others do it, in focus close ups of the whole horn will pursuade a lot more people to bid, and if you add as much information as possible (but not the whole serial number) and that can only be good for you. Some detail on how you come to be selling it is OK, but the horn is the main thing to be describing.

You will probably benefit a lot more by selling the mouthpiece seperately, as you will get feedback for that transaction, (people will take a chance on a lower value item from a zero feedback seller) It will make money on its own as a vintage piece if you take nice pictures, see other listings for how its done, The money is nice, but the feedback is the main thing as that will make the "main event" more attractive to other buyers.

Throwing the mouthpiece in with the mk6 listing, its not really adding any value. People in the market for this horn already have a drawer full of mouthpieces. For most buyers its just the horn they are buying, so they wont pay significantly extra just cos the mouthpiece is there

Frankly though I think your lack of Feedback and specific details in the listing will put people off and hold back the bidding as it is now.

Good Luck. Wish I had the money to bid:( You might get more of a bidding war if you opened it up to international bids too, but you will have to be careful of scammers if you do, and pay close attention to potential buyers feedback too.

ssleb

09-05-2006, 02:17 PM

Few, if any serious bidders (unaware of this back story) will bid that kind of money when the seller has no history.

Well then somebody here buy it. If I had any income at all, I wouldn't still be on SOTW, I'd be bidding on EBay!

Canadiain

09-05-2006, 02:26 PM

Well then somebody here buy it. If I had any income at all, I wouldn't still be on SOTW, I'd be bidding on EBay!
Well, yeah, me too! But to get the best price the seller needs non SOTWers to be bidding too.

Maybe I should just keep my mouth shut to keep the price low. I could just about afford the sax...its the divorce that it would precipitate that I cant afford:shock: :)

hgiles

09-05-2006, 02:29 PM

Is that the Europoean engraving?

Gill D

09-05-2006, 03:06 PM

I think someone said it's European engraving, what would I know haha. Have amended the description on ebay a little, will try and do it properly later tonight. God I am going to be grey by the end of this too much stress.

calisax

09-05-2006, 08:01 PM

that's a very fair starting price! If I hadn't just invested in a new horn myself, I'd throw out a couple of bids. You'll definitely want to add a pic of the neck... As much detailed info possible to make up for lack of ebay history. Good luck!

Martinman

09-05-2006, 08:03 PM

Just a suggestion, if you want to get around including the mouthpiece with the horn, and sell it seperately, since you never actually specified what type of mouthpiece it is, you could just go to your local music store and buy a super-cheapo mouthpiece and throw that in with the horn. It would not be dishonest; you didn't use words like "original mouthpiece" or anything.

Dave Wright

09-06-2006, 04:24 AM

Call me paranoid, but this would be a clever way of scamming a SOTW member. Gill is a new poster and has no ebay feedback. She could be anyone.Just be precautious.

Having said that i'm probably completely off the mark and I apologise for your loss and hope the saxophones sell for their worth.:)

Back to the shed.

Pete Thomas

09-06-2006, 07:34 AM

Good Luck. Wish I had the money to bid:( You might get more of a bidding war if you opened it up to international bids too, but you will have to be careful of scammers if you do, and pay close attention to potential buyers feedback too.

There are scammers in the UK too believe it or not. As a seller the main problem might be a forged bankers draft.

AndyW

09-06-2006, 09:12 AM

I'm still sure there are people who'll bid on this, probably on the last day / in the last few hours. If they do then watch out for the scammers !!!.

If they don't, or if you're not happy with the deal, Gill,
I'll happily jump on a train to Dundee myself and pay you in cash.
it's only 75 minutes from Glasgow.
I might even buy a wee alto while i'm there ;-)

Dundee brings back fond memories
- I was a student at DoJCoA for a year,
I used to love a walk up Law hill & a ja'nt to Broughty Ferry or Dens road market.
Ah, happy days: the girls at the art school were as pretty as the pictures.....

-A-

Gill D

09-06-2006, 10:04 AM

Just having a wee chuckle about the scammer thing, would a scammer forget there was a mop bucket in the way and have to crop all her pics for ebay? Would a scammer have to use one foot to control her son and keep him out of the picture? Although it does make me sound a bit windswept and interesting eh! Glad you have good memories of Dundee but if it doesn't sell this time it will be a long time before I try this again, it almost feels like a part time job. We have had email after email, asking for more pics of this and that, more info. This may all seem incredibly easy for people who understand saxophones(please note I am spelling it correctly now) and computers. No this will be my last attempt should it all go wrong.

GILL

Gill D

09-09-2006, 03:54 PM

Well that's that, the saxophone has sold, and all the family were together in the closing moments. I truly believe Jimmy would have thought the whole thing was great fun. So thanks again to everyone who has helped all the information helped us make our decision. We still have one more to sell, think we will probably have a few days to recover and make sure all goes well with the first sax and then put it up for sale. Will keep you posted.

Gill
x

saxmanglen

09-09-2006, 04:04 PM

Congrats on a successful sale! Looks like you got over $5500 USD for the horn and goes to a resident of your home country.

Martinman

09-09-2006, 07:21 PM

Congradulations

Gill D

09-10-2006, 11:57 PM

One of the best things about this whole thing is we have been contacted by someone who knew Jimmy and remembers him from his earlier days. They have emailed us talking about the influence he had on young player(we knew he had from his teaching days) but this was an extra piece of info that has really put the icing on the cake. I hope to keep this as a little bit of history for the grandchildren.:)