Vintage Mouthpiece find/ For sale as a group or individually.
Author Archives: Horned Toad
Selmer MK VI 85xxx Original US engraved HT apex overhaul Beautiful Condition
Here we have the much vaunted mid-80k tenor of legend. This is right at the apex, 85k serial, original US lacquer at about 99.5% preserved state with some age speckle. US Elkhart engraved, original matched neck, factory sharp pearls, and a high class overhaul ready to go.
There are none of what I would call “dents” on this horn and never have been. There were a few tiny scuffs on the horn, just tiny stuff that you would hard pressed to even find. It’s very close to new condition. The neck had minor flex to it, revealing that the horn has been played; the angle and contour are correct for the model period.
The horn was overhauled from the ground up; custom pad order, pad treatment, nickel plated brass mostly Tonex 5-digit selmer resos with some resotech fill-ins. Balanced approach key fitting, toneholes conservatively leveled and dressed, old school cork &felt, nice neck fit etc. The key action is open enough but not huge, the balance between speaking and speed.
This is a horn that has the expected sound for the mid 80k period but is perhaps uncharacteristically focused and loud. It is not what I would call a spread horn. It has a powerful bright edge that some of the earlier mid 80k’s lack. It is not the wide lush sofa you might find at 82k. It is more of an edgy power puncher with a raspy edge that offers some spring to push against.
Minty (nearly new) original US 85k tenors are not easily available these days.
Otto Link Early FL Serialed 8 (tenor) Optimized
Here we have an otto Link 8 with a serial number of the early Florida production. These serial numbered pieces are either exactly the same as a FL double ring inside or extremely close to it. They are extremely difficult to find in any condition, but good to original condition is next to impossible. This one I was lucky to get on a trade. It was a great piece to start with, but I have very gently optimized it by cleaning up the tip rail and balancing the rails only. The piece has not been opened or radically altered from its original configuration. It plays exceptionally well and just has a specifically great voice.
Otto Link Tonemaster refaced .096
This is an interesting piece in that it has an early Tonemaster body style yet shows a later 3 digit serial from the ‘improved’ model. On the opposite side the normal Patent stamps are missing. I am wondering if this was a prototype or transition to the improved model? Anyhow it’s been refaced to 0.96. Someone has installed a wedge baffle that I removed and did some minor cleanup as well. This piece has a lot of potential, could use a little work.
Otto Link Tonemaster early model 5* .089 original
This piece is original, has a bit of wear and a little abrasion but has not been altered. The original 5* facing is .089 on this one so actually almost a 6. It could benefit from a little optimizing as most original Links would, but it’s a very sound example to start with. Originals are no longer easy to find.
King Silversonic 454xxx original 1970 Relic
This King Silversonic is exceptionally well preserved, it has been played very little. The pads are original along with everything else including the original packing label, factory inspection tag and King Instruments catalog 1970 with a price of $835.00! It currently plays, fairly well but being original pads it will need an overhaul for sure. It’s in very nice condition and plays with a rather huge muscular and flexible tone. Many people would say that this mid 400-serial is the best period for King Silversonic.
Selmer MK VI 98xxx Orig. US Lac Super Clean HT Overhaul Apex player (SOLD)
Selmer MK VI tenor 98xxx one very special horn. Everyone who has tried this one has loved it. It is a very powerful, balanced and full player. It has plenty of weight to the sound as well as a forceful edge and depth. The US lacquer and engraving are all original and in show several color variations, seems to be still darkening over time. The neck, bell, bow all are structurally spotless with no previous damage nor repair of any kind. There is minor lacquer speckle on some keys but thats all really. It’s a near mint original, the pearls are quite sharp.
I’ve given this the absolute excellent setup with custom treated pads and large 5-digit original Selmer ToneX resos. It plays exactly as great as it should. This horn is special enough that the listing may be removed – quite likely, but its here for the moment. It is for the treasure seeker and will not be cheap as it is very hard to find a player like this in this condition as well. I honestly don’t know what to write- its among the best.
Selmer Balanced Action 21xxx original US engraved masterpiece with high end HT overhaul-super rarity.
Here is a wonderful and extremely rare original 21xxx Balanced Action tenor. The vast majority of remaining Balanced Actions have all been refinished, as they are just quite old. Some of those very early 1950’s relacquers were done at the factory and are stunningly good, many will fool many wish-to-be experts. Actual originals though, are extremely elusive, probably nocturnal, reclusive and nearly extinct, not adapting to human civilized expansion.
This one is a very rare find in that it is in excellent condition, minimal repairs and plays exceptionally well. It has all the early mechanisms, and extensive artistic engraving that is still very sharp and crisp. It plays with a huge, wide and rather brash on-stage type of sound that was engineered for a time when microphones were not common.
It has an added strap ring in the modern position for much more comfortable playing and arthritis prevention protocol, one resoldered guard foot at the low C, and some repair to perfection of the neck angle. It has had everything done to set it up to tight tolerance and optimization, fitted with original (if I remember correctly) Selmer ToneX resos hoarded from SBA’s. Original Balanced Actions had no resos (true). It plays like a million$$ under the fingers and is a super flexible and expressive. It won’t cost a million but if it seems like this should be a bargain it’s probably best not to ask. It’s been decades since original Balanced Action were freely galavanting the countryside and it’s never going to happen again.
Selmer SBA (Super Action) Tenor Saxophone 45xxx original Mint
Most most luscious amazing vintage piece; SBA monster of subtly and swagger. This one is 45xxx still right in the Coltrane model design period. There is little to say other than it is amazing. It is nearly brand new, has newer pads and plays excellently. A few seconds look at the pics and you will understand. Plays definitely as good or better than it looks. Super collector’s item. Don’t ask about the price if you are going to be triggered.
Selmer MK VI 60xxx Original British Model Expresssive Magic
A beautiful old horn made in 1955 for sale in UK, this has original lacquer and engraving. It has that warm gold color finish that has not darkened much. The body and neck are in very good condition with no apparent repairs. The lacquer where present is in very good shape, some spots of wear in normal areas. Included is the original British Selmer case that looks absolutely fab along with the original sales guarantee from Selmer.
I’ve just done an extensive restoration on this horn, soldered the body to bow joint (as the American models had) all new custom treated pads with a set of vintage 1950’s Selmer US ToneX nickel plated brass resos from SBA and early MK VI, and full tonehole dressing and key fitting. This now plays very precise, fast and tight.
It’s got the tonal poetry, the subtle super expressive quality that sort of disappears after the very early VI’s. In this case, possibly uniquely this horn turned out really edgy, focused and powerful, a bit unexpected for sure. This has a focused air column that really makes me think it has an SBA body, but it has more elasticity and spread than SBA normally has, basically the stretch of an early VI. I feel this horn is really a transitional model of come kind. Be warned, although it has a lot of richness of tone that may be specific to 60k and earlier models, it is really aggressive and cutting. If anyone was holding the fantasy that really earlier Selmers were spread, dark and mellow this one will surely shatter that.
