This is Joshua Redman’s 62k MK VI tenor, original US lacquer and engraving and nearly mint condition.  He used this on his reunion tour in 2002 with Brad Meldau, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade. He had this set up to his preference and the overhaul is tight and slick.  This horn has a rather massive lush and complex vibe to it, delivered bright and immediate, wonderfully flexible. The photos you see here are before the overhaul, and he says a little cleaning might be in order after use on tour and sessions etc.  It has been put through its paces by one of the best. See and hear it live here-

This horn is exactly as great as one would expect to have been selected among many by Joshua Redman. It is definitely among the best early VI’s to be found, still has a bit of SBA in it with that MK VI width and edge on the sound. This horn will include paperwork from Redman.  I have the pleasure of helping him rearrange some horns.  Feel free to message with questions and interest.

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Here we have a rather rare find; a 1964 Mark VI tenor that is in nearly new condition.  The pads are all original with lacquer rings outside the toneholes.  The finish shows some water spots and a tiny amount of speckle but almost no wear of any kind, even on frequently touched keys.  The neck has matching number and is in beautiful un-flexed condition with not really any wear.  The bottom bow and bell flare are both structurally spotless.  The body in general only has a few tiny scratches.  At a careful review of the photos you can see the kind of freckling of the lacquer with darker and lighter spotted areas; this is a slow aging or darkening process of original Selmer lacquer. The horn also needs a basic cleaning and will look even more shiny and new.

Given its original condition after so many years it really will need an overhaul. That said, I have been playing it and it IS playing, pretty well.  It has the fast and nimble response that is associated with the 110k-120k model period.  While these would normally be slightly on the focused/centered side of response when the pads get old and dried out that is hard to discern.  In this case what I can say is that it is bright and sparkly juxtaposed with really utterly huge and booming, in a way I was not prepared for.  This is a BIG sounding horn, like a mid-80k might be. With an overhaul it will likely be both fast, AND huge.

It feels excellent under the fingers and is pretty much at the apex of Selmer positive engineering before they brought in the ball joint side keys, which no one really loves. This is as close to a brand new Selmer MK VI from 1964 as anyone can expect and it just happens to be a super promising horn as well.

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Here we have a really strikingly nice condition original 1959 MARK VI tenor; original US lacquer and engraving, matching neck and nice overhaul with metal resos. We all know what these are, late 70k-early 90k tenors are a particular thing.  Of course it is a spectrum with usually a bit more focus and buzz and warmth on the 70k end leading to a bit more power, acceleration and booming bottom on the late 80k-early90k end- your mileage may vary.

This being right on the cusp of the 80k run has qualities associated with both 80k and 70k being that it is kind of buzzy, focused and warm (very warm) and yet also has some of the expanse and power of the 80’s. The pads are very recent and it’s playing quite nicely.

The lacquer is probably 98-99% present and all original.  There is no significant damage or repair of any kind that I see on this horn.  The bottom bow, bell, body and neck are all basically structurally perfect with the exception of a few TINY dings and scratches. I am still getting to know this horn, but it is definitely one of those unicorn minty rarities at this serial number and with that special tone to power ratio. Not very easy to find one like this now.

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Wonderful original vintage find; Henri Selmer Model 20 (very rare) Trumpet.  The is serial number 15xxx with a likely 1955 manufacture date.  It is in excellent condition having been refreshed in all ways by a local brass expert from Shires.  It is obviously missing a bit of the original lacquer as someone loved it well and was a bid handsy with it.  It is ready to play, and of course, good luck finding another model 20.  Most people barely know they exist.

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Here is a wonderful King Silversonic I am helping a friend sell, serial 406xxx, late Cleveland production, single socket silver neck (and bell) currently in good playing condition.  This is owned by a working professional player and it is typical of the huge broad and cutting delivery of King.  The single socket neck adds a bit more focus and direct projection as well.

This one is in quite nice condition, not mint and yet very well taken care of with no significant damage nor repair in evidence. it will need some minor tweak/adjustment at the most, basically just ready to use. Cruise the photos below at your own risk of obsession and contact for more stimulating details.  This message has not been approved by hornaddicts anonymous.

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SBA 48xxx as rare as it gets.  This horn is in 99-100% original US lacquer and Elkhart engraving.  It has original resonators and a truly wonderful playing setup with quite new pads etc.  It needs nothing and is ready for the gig out of the case.  There are only minor dings and scratches to be found, no repairs that I could find, wonderful responsive neck with original matching number.
The pearls are brand-new sharp, the case is old and the zipper does not work but it is sturdy.

The response is exceptionally fast and fluid and the sound is very warm and kind of bouncy and expansive while still being focused as SBA’s are. This is a very loud and open feeling SBA, yet definitely not of the later design that feels a bit more like a MK VI, this is not at all like a MK VI.

I could keep writing but in the end, anyone looking for the SBA of a lifetime find would run with this after playing it for 2 minutes.  It IS that good, best SBA I have ever played, no contest.  Of course these are very rare, desirable and expensive, just the way things are now.  No complaints, this horn sounds and plays that great.

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These don’t show up often and mostly not in this condition either.  This is an original US finished 56xxx tenor, 1954 first MK VI design, still something of a transitional instrument.  It has a nice pad job, all new and smooth.  Original S/c matched serial neck in very good condition, never pulled.  Bow, bell and neck all without injury, small dings here and there and some natural lac. wear.

The sound is really quite huge and unexpectedly loud and cutting.  It has what I would consider a dark fundamental with an exceptionally cutting bright edge.  It’s quite unique, not as focused as SBA, but significantly bigger booming sound as well. Sound coming out feels rather spread but behind the horn is not especially wide feeling.  This is what I consider to be a BIG horn.  It’s just a huge sound, very powerful and weighty; both darker AND brighter than most all at the same time.

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49k SBA is the end and height of what I would call the 3rd model type of SBA; the second to last model of which the last are basically 50k-54k approximately.  The 3rd type (this one) trends towards the most power, projection and brightness before the 50ks that trend mellower and wider.  These are often phenomenal players, surprising even.

This one has been relacquered a long time ago with what is now a rather dark finish that is slowly wearing.  US engraving is fully visible and nice.  Most (maybe all) the original metal ToneX resos are present, pads are old and expired.  Pearls have some wear because this horn definitely enticed players, but they are fine just the way they are.

The neck, oddly is an earlier model from likely some version of Balanced Action.  Originally when I got this I thought “oh no” (no original neck) but after doing some pad regulation and playing this it is SHOCKINGLY good.  Among the best of any SBA/BA I have ever played and among the best sounds and feel of any horn ever, just exceptional horn.  This has the speed, even-ness, precision of the SBA with a lyrical and colorful complexity that is deeper and more nuanced than any I have ever played.  That is saying a lot.

This horn will need an overhaul, but its amazing on the world’s worst pads.  It will definitely go to a serious player and will not be undersold due to the neck as this is a bonus.  Anyone who plays it will know immediately.

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Selmer MK VI 145xxx gold plated player, a very interesting horn with a special sound.  This has been well loved for good reason.  It is right within the best medium bow ‘Sanborn’ popular 140k altos.  Originally a European market horn, it was aftermarket gold plated over nickel, of which plenty is now showing through.  The pearls and keys have some brass wear which could be addressed or left as is.  There are some normal past repairs and evidence of a life lived on this one.

140k altos are usually expensive and always in demand.  This one is something of a deal for someone who wants a player and put a little fixer energy into.

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