For availability of vintage saxophones and mouthpieces in stock please see the above link: “Vintage Saxophones & Mouthpieces For Sale”. That will show current offerings, sold and on hold offerings, as well as up and coming “in-shop” projects. Please feel free to ask about future offerings. Additionally there are many items that ARE NOT listed on the for sale page that are packed away, not operational yet, or just not fit into the schedule to list. Early inquiry is a good way to beat the crowd to get the special item you have been searching for. Thanks!
Selmer MK VI 86xxx Original US Lac. Fully restored, Powerful and Complex
A tenor like this is very uncommon to find. At 86xxx this is within the exact construction period of Brecker’s famous preferred horn at 863xx, as I was told. This is a beautifully surviving original example. The lacquer has aged to a dark bronze. The horn has had no damage or trama and barely any scuffs of significance. The worst issues are a few spots of finish wear or past lacquer corrosion that have been cleaned up, that’s it, nothing else of note. All the important areas, neck now brace, bell etc are untouched by impact or accident. This is a very clean horn.
It has been carefully restored to perfection with new treated pads and an assembled set of original Selmer Tone-X nickel plated brass resonators, all keys fitted and toneholes level etc. It plays and feels like a race car in the hands. The sound and response especially rare; an impressive slightly dark core with a wild-side type of growling aggressive edge all delivered in a particularly compact, compressed forceful airstream. This is basically the dream VI for most people who are looking for this serial period and it absolutely does not disappoint. It’s very difficult to find any tenors at 86xxx at this point and harder still to find a truly great player at full power.
Otto Link transitional EB/FL original 6
Here is a very interesting piece; clearly a late Florida mouthpiece but finished at Babbitt with the denim table milling (that FL Link did not use). So this was likely leftover FL stock that Babbitt bought and then finished in house. This would often be referred to as ‘early Babbitt” but the facing font is small, stamped in Florida, not the large font Babbitt used. oddly, the tip and baffle finish appear very much Florida style, sharp and fine with a rather extensive higher flat shelf baffle..
This piece is a master player; bright, crisp, very fast and compact. Really special player measuring at .0925 (approx.) for me.
Lelandais Super Jazz Original S5
Rare old Lelandais tenor piece S5 facing all original. This appears to be cut from the popular Chedevelle or generic European blank of the day, but with a unique large scooped out chamber for a fat Link-like sound. Tip measures .073 for me.
Dukoff Hollywood K-series 6 Original
Otto Link Tonemaster, early model Special 6*
Early model Tonemaster, this would have been a special order at 6*. Normal facings went up to 5* in the old days. 6 and above were specials. This shows the original stamp and much gold plating. The tip measures .091 for me. Someone has done a little work at the sides of the tip for unknown reasons. Tip still has some material left for optimization. Original ligature and cap included.
Otto Link FL serialed 5* original
Phenomenal and special playing early serialed LInk 5*. This plays edgy, crisp full and fast. These serialed pieces are rare as hens teeth and highly sought after with good reason. This is among the best originals I have ever played. Tip measures .089. original ‘Otto Link’ stamped ligature included.
Otto Link FL serialed 8* Original
Here is a wonderful all original near mint condition 8* serialed early no USA Link. These are one step after the double rings and functionally they are very close to them, sounding and feeling nearly identical, and maybe harder to find. Photos show the high baffle that is common with these, probably higher than double ring on average. 8* is a hard to find size in this early model. Tip measures .111 for me. This one is in great condition with original ligature and plays exceptionally well. It will not last long here.
Selmer Super (Balanced) Action 48xxx original, cosmetic blemish KILLER player (SOLD)
I’ve taken this horn on a trade, a truly excellent and classic sounding SBA tenor 48xxx. This has a great amount of depth and lyricism in the sound propelled by an awesome power. I high degree of ‘bluenotability’ with this such that every note tells a story, feeling and sounding like a classic recording at the moment it’s played.
The lacquer is original and the US engraving very nice and sharp. It’s got a nice darker finish color as well, but it is by no means a museum piece. This horn has lived a few lives and has some repair history which is why it is not priced at the upper end of SBA tenors, but an original for just a bit more than the average relacquer.
This is obviously a horn for a real player, someone who can match it’s poetic vibe and drive it, but also not for those who’s OCD will be bothered by a non-pristine horn. Cosmetcis aside, I don’t think I have ever played a better SBA tenor.
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Selmer MK VI #85000 EU Satin Silver Engraved Massive horn, ONLY ONE!
This is an amazing rarity; 1960 Mark VI tenor, the exact serial 85000, made in celebratory satin “sable” (sand finish) silver plate and glass accents, an expensive special order option. This horn lived an active life and does show wear indicating just how great it was (is). I have done many special restoration projects on this horn, soldered the bow to body, resoldered the failed neck receiver, replaced most of the worn pearls and then finally a vast overhaul. It originally came to me with black ‘roo pads’ in it, and plenty of key slop. I did many special jobs on the horn but resisted taking those pads out since they were not old, but the horn always lacked some resonance, sort of a deflating kind of feeling rather than the power we might hope for in 85k. I finally did surrender and did a whole job on it with my treated pads and special setup. Now it is blasting, bright and powerful as expected. Moral of the story- please don’t use roo pads. They suck.
Aside from that, this is just that amazing actual 85k tenor the only one with the perfect number (HAH!) and it plays every bit as amazing as we imagine. I did somewhat of a silver polish on this after I allowed it to turn black over several years and it was already a lot of work. I will just let it go black I guess from here on in. I took a quick set of pics before it turns totally black again.
Otto Link FL early no USA 10* original near mint package Excellent Player!
Very special package find. Here is a very early FL no USA original 10* in nearly new condition. These large facings are amazing players in the very early FL models with a specific large rollover baffle that disappears after the no USA period. This is one of those very special players, really excellent; easy player even for those used to smaller sizes. This is loud, bright edged, fat and flexible. Comes complete with original black Pompano Beach box, “france” cap and early FL ligature “OTTO LINK” stamped on the knob.
