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 105xxx Original US Lac. Excellent Horned Toad Overhaul
105xxx Selmer MK VI, this is a sweet spot vintage of MK VI right after 100k. Most everyone who is experienced agrees that these are especially good; punchy, focused, on the brighter side yet still complex sounding. This is one that I restored prior to 2015 and put a lot of meticulous care into. It has large domed brass resonators and (gold) painted pads with a really beautiful tight concise feel. In the years since I set this up I feel it has not changed one bit, still plays like a new horn. I recently received it back on a trade and was happy to get a chance to play it again.
This horn has that wonderful dark lacquer, some normal blemishes for a played horn but is in very good physical condition. It plays very powerfully with a fundamentally dark core and very cutting edge. It is a very fast and precise horn.
Selmer MK VII M-body 263xxx huge bright & wide, great player
Here we have a MK VII tenor, first I’ve played. Word has it the “M” Prefix serials play better. I cannot say if that is true but this plays really quite big and wide with a bright forward presence that is very satisfying. The pads are older but I’ve got it running at the moment. I would suggest an eventual overhaul once played enough to decide how you want it set up.
This horn has lived, has normal bumps and bruises and some repairs but overall in fine shape for a player. Neck is in excellent condition, never bent it appears. The attached video illustrates the response pretty well, was a surprise to me.
Selmer MK VI 87xxx original US engraved Vintage Player
This horn exudes character and lyricism. It has the ‘that look’ in droves and it sounds pretty much like it looks in my opinion- just one of those horns. The serial number is 87xxx, US engraved and lacquered and it is has lived a lot. It has dings, dents, repairs, blemishes etc. If you are looking for a mint collector’s item this is definitely not it, but it IS a player. It very much has a certain complex sound, I would say a darker core with a pretty intense mellow quality and then a shimmering warm edge o top of the sound that is typical of this model period.
The neck is not the original but is an earlier VI model with the low octave saddle, possibly European market. That is what came with the horn and by the look of it, it has likely been with this horn a long time. I have experimented with late 80k necks on this horn and so far I still like this neck best on this one; it has a certain focus and speed that is beneficial and somehow seems to let the proper character shine. With this neck it absolutely sounds like an 87k would be expected to, and I think it can even be heard on the video.
I am not enamored of the pads and resos, but I’ve gone through the horn and got it playing quite smoothly. I can only imagine how amazing it would be with a proper treatment, but it’s going well at the moment and the pads are not old at all. These mid-late 80k horns are very rarely available now, most who have them do not willingly sell them and everyone is looking for just this serial number. Collector’s condition examples are extremely expensive, so this, given the serial number is a serious bargain these days. If this is what you are hunting, don’t sleep.
Otto Link Slant Sig. 6* FL Original very nice rarity
Very clean untouched 6* Florida slant signature Link. Clear milling lines on original table, unaltered tip and baffle. Finding nice original examples such as this is now quite rare. This has obviously been played and has some minor cosmetic blemishes but the functional areas are all quite clean.
Selmer MK VI 87xxx original French Lac Punchy Player
This is an interesting 1960 MK VI tenor originally made for the French market; no engraving, light yellow French lacquer and that light blue enamel on the octave ‘S’. The serial number is 87xxx although the 7 is stamped at such an angle that is looks like a 1. I was confused as first but it has all the identifiers of an 87xxx as well.
The finish is original as is the neck with part of the serial scribed into the tenon as well. This horn has really lived, has plenty of scratches blemishes and some repairs but it is sturdy and solid. It’s just not very pretty which is exactly why it is a bargain for someone hunting for a player’s mid-late 80k tenor, which are usually very very expensive and hard to find. People love these specifically because of how they play. Of course some people are obsessed with the Brecker mystique but again, he played these because of how they play, apparently.
With a Berg Larsen-
And with a FL Link-
This one is a bit more focused than spread on the scale of how they might play. It is quite aggressive and punchy with an edgy bright thing that takes plenty of air and turns it into power. It feels fast and nimble. I am not a huge fan of the pads and resos but they are not especially old. I just think it could be set up better to reach its full potential. I’ve already gone through it and got it playing quite efficiently, but this would be a great project for someone to polish up. This will be quite an opportunity for the lucky 80k-seeker.
Otto Link FL no USA 9* Original Apex Tenor Piece
This is an excellent example of the archetypal large tip size earlier Florida Link. For some unknown reason these larger tip sizes on the earlier FL really had a special thing. They play big and very flexible, but if you get the right model they also play somehow unexpectedly easy for that size. It’s a trick of facing and finish I guess, just the way they made these. I’ve had many 9’s and 10’s that did just this thing, reliably.
This one is in very nice condition, untouched and not abused. It measures at around .130 on my tools and blows very complex and easy for the size with a very significant original baffle.
Otto Link USA 7 (.105) original
This is a wonderful late FL USA original 7 facing that plays excellent. The finish over most of the mouthpiece is very nice yet there is some staining of the plating on the table due to a reed left attached long term I imagine. This piece plays in a compact and concise way with a very nice flat step baffle similar to late FL hard rubber pieces of the same time period. Facing measures at around .105 on my tools. This plays with a larger sound (for me).
Gear Nerd Summit
Had a really wonderful hang with Josh Redman, fellow tone & subtlety aficionado; inspiringly great player and exceptionally good, smart and fun person to be around. Being able to share that level of appreciation for detail in sound is why we do this, but some people are just plain cool.
Selmer MK VI soprano 73xxx Original engraved & premium overhaul Amazing player
I am not keen to sell this horn. It took me years to find and it is wonderful, but it is sitting at the moment, probably should be played more. It is an original lac. European market fully engraved 1957 first year MK VI soprano #73xxx. I restored it with new pads and metal resonators and it is very nicely set up tight with all toneholes level and keys fitted, it’s a beautiful experience to play.
More to follow-
Selmer MK VI 88xxx Original US Laq LOW A Rarity!
Super rare and desired 1960 MK VI Low A baritone, 88xxx – magic numbers! This horn is original and amazing. Pro owned, pads still have some life but old. Being as baritones are this has normal bumps and bruises around the bow but but most of this will smooth out in the hands of a skilled technician as they are normal and non-critical. I have just cleaned up a bit of amateur solder on the low Eb guard feet (seen in last photos,) again non-critical issue but leaves some cosmetic evidence; it is nice and smooth and sturdy there and the patina will come in time.
Original serialed neck included in very good shape. original US engraving, this horn just has a wonderful feel in the hands. New arrival I’ve just played it, and I am not a great Bari player, but what would one expect from an 88k low a original US Bari? -amazingness of course! These are VERY hard to find.
Includes a very excellent SKB travel case with wheels, super convenient.
