The saxophone that nobody wanted... until it became a legend

Today, it is difficult to imagine the saxophone world without mentioning the Selmer Mark VI.

Its name constantly comes up in conversations among musicians, collectors, and enthusiasts. Books have been written about it, its prices keep rising, and finding a good unit has become almost a treasure hunt.

But there was a time when it was simply... just another saxophone.

When the Mark VI Was the "New" One

In 1954, Selmer introduced the Mark VI as the successor to the Super Balanced Action.

It was not born with the intention of becoming a legend. It was, simply, the logical evolution of a model that already enjoyed immense prestige among musicians.

As with any major release, there were those who welcomed it with enthusiasm... and those who preferred to keep playing their usual instrument.

Because changing saxophones has never been an easy decision.

Many professionals had already built an entire career with their Conn, Buescher, King, or Balanced Action, and saw no reason to abandon an instrument they knew inside out.

Sound Isn't Changed by a Brand

During the 50s and 60s, some of the finest saxophones ever manufactured coexisted on stages:

- King Super 20

- Conn “trany”

- Buescher Top Hat and Cane

- Selmer Mark VI

- SML “gold medal”

-Selmer Balanced Action

Each had its own personality and defenders. There was no absolute consensus on which one was "the best."

In fact, musicians like Sonny Rollins continued using their King Super 20 for years, while other artists alternated between different brands depending on the stage of their career.

So... what happened?

What turned the Mark VI into a legend was not immediate success.

It was the passage of time.

As the decades advanced, an entire generation of saxophonists began to converge on the very same instrument.

John Coltrane.

Stan Getz.

Michael Brecker.

Phil Woods.

Joe Henderson.

David Sanborn.

Not all of them played the Mark VI exclusively, but they did leave behind historical recordings with it.

And little by little, an idea that was hard to ignore began to build:

"If so many giants chose it... it must have had something special."

The Myth Grew Faster Than Reality

With the passing of the years came another phenomenon.

Production ended.

Available units began to grow scarce.

And the market did the rest.

What had been a professional instrument turned into a collector's item.

Today there are extraordinary Mark VIs... and also others that are simply Mark VIs.

Because, surprising as it may be, they do not all sound the same.

Not even two consecutive saxophones from the same series offer exactly the same feel.

And perhaps therein lies part of its magic.

Does That Mean You Need a Mark VI?

Not necessarily.

Every era has had great instruments.

Today we find manufacturers capable of offering extraordinary intonation, highly refined mechanics, and excellent build quality.

At Sax & Clarinet On, we are fortunate to work with both authentic vintage pieces and modern instruments that represent the best of the saxophone's evolution.

Brands like Selmer, Wood Stone, Rampone & Cazzani, Yanagisawa, RYU Saxophones, or Forestone prove that the history of the saxophone continues to be written every single day.