Picked up a MK 6 tenor serial number 218000

[Keith Ridenhour]

Hard to tell the overall sound. The horn has pad problems and can't get past the upper stack but what I can get (B;s and palm, some alt) is much bigger (and Louder) than I expected. I've gigged on a The Martin for the past year and half and have trialed a couple of 6's which to me had dark, more compact , smaller sounds than my The Martin but this horn is a pleasant surprise. I'll know more once I get it adjusted tonight. Guess this serial number is more of an "RnB" horn. Still, I'm very excited. Havn' :wink: t owned a 6 since college. (23 years ago) Feels good in my hands. K

[Keith Ridenhour]

If I read my first post I'd wonder why I bought it in that conditon. Seller did some pad repacement work and I guess something shifted in the shipping process. He is a good guy and will make it right if my tweak/repair costs are excessive. This was an after the item went through ebay after market offer. I think I got a good deal. (Under 3K)

[JL]

I've owned a 221xxx MK VI tenor for about 20 years and I can tell you it has a huge sound. But it is not overly bright. I'd describe it as dark but powerful. I haven't played a Martin, but I compared my VI to a King Super 20 and the VI definitely had the bigger, more powerful sound. Recently I've been playing a Buescher Aristocrat which has a beautiful tone and plenty of volume. But it still can't quite compete with the VI in terms of "full-bodied sound" (it gets a bit difficult to describe these things). I've been going back & forth between these 2 horns, but now I'm back on the VI for the R&B stuff. I know it's been said over & over, but some of these MK VIs really do have an indescribable magic in their sound and feel. Enjoy that horn!

[Keith Ridenhour]

I got the 6 back from the tech today and it does have a full bodied sound. Not quite as loud as my The Martin but more core to the sound. I can tell that I'll have to adjust to the 6 to make it work. It requires more air support than the martin. Time to woodshed. Silly me , I though I'd get right to Steve Coles sound. Practice. K :shock:

[tomsch]

Hey Keith! It's good to hear the VI is working out. We still need to get together and you can play it against my Couf.

[Keith Ridenhour]

No way Tom. The last thing I want is to find that your 1500 dollar Couf outplays this 3K VI I bought. Would like to get together and get a good recording of your tone. Still remember how much I liked it. This 6 has more projection and a tighter sound than your Couf (as I remember it). Action is hard to say, your's was fast and so is this one. Lets do it. K

[Bill08690]

JL-

What vintage is your Aristocrat? I have a '35 'Crat tenor that sounds pretty good. After playing it for a while I am enjoying the sweet sound that sort of grows on a player.

Recently I played a 200K MK VI tenor [4K asking price] at the local music store and I must say it did sound very nice. Had that nice sweet core sound in the midrange that we all like. The Asian horns like a Yani 991 just can't compare to the vintage sound.

So how was the Ref 36 compared to the MK VI and 'Crat?

[JL]

Bill,
I have a silverplate 331xxx 'Crat with the big bell ('49 or '50 vintage). I've only had it a couple of months but have found it to be a very impressive horn. For a while I thought it would replace the VI, but now I'm back on the VI because I like it better with the new Jaguar mpc I just got. I think I'll be going back & forth between the two horns, depending on the mood I'm in. The MK VI has a bit more punch to it and a slightly more complex sound. The 'Crat has a beautiful tone quality and great intonation.

I tried a Ref 36 once in the music store, but wasn't that impressed with it compared to my MK VI. I think my VI has a bigger, gutsier sound. But I didn't spend much time on it and probably can't give a fair evaluation.

[jd]

i have a 214*** mark 6 tenor and im using i all the time. its a relaq but a great horn. i also an original 155*** and a 103*** that also play fabulous especially my 103*** but this relaq 214*** is an absolute r/b/ monster horn.its brighter than both my other horns and since its been reconditioned plays easy as can be. yes the mark 6s all seem to have some magic! i think you got a good one!!

[jazzbeau75]

Attention "J.L"
Saw your post of March 7th. last re your 214000 Mark V1. Could you please email me on pogrady@shoalhaven.net.au with your email address as I would like your advice on a Mark V1 which I own. If I can email you I will give you the full details. Thanking you in anticipation. jazzbeau 75

[JL]

jazzbeau,
Actually it's a 121xxx, not a 221 as I mistakenly posted on March 7, and not the 214 you mentioned (man, these numbers get to me!). Anyway, I'll email you.