This is a prime serial number in the medium bow “Sanborn” popular model period and plays with the normal aggressive cutting quality that these are known for while also having the benefit of the medium bow tuning. It is a consignment horn, a player’s horn with obvious signs of use, showing some cosmetic blemishes but as a player will be fully functional and great. More info available upon request.
Category Archives: Vintage Saxophones (for sale AND sold)
Selmer MK VI Alto Neck 88xxx 1960 Rarity
Here we have a very rare 88k MK VI alto neck in original excellent condition. This plays exceptionally well, fat and complex with a shimmering clarity. These are hard to find for sure.
King Super 20 375xxx Exc. Original Player with HT Overhaul
King Super 20, I think this is right around 1960. I consider this personally to be the apex of King saxophone production. While it may no longer be the full pearls period, not as glamorous, I think these horns are the most flexible, open and resonant players. Some people prefer the single socket neck (tail end of Cleveland and early Eastlake) and they do have a bit more undiluted power, for the complexity of tone vs the resonance these late double socket necks after the full pearls period are my personal favorites.
This horn I did a big restoration on. It is original finish and in very very good condition, though not perfect. It has one inobtrusive resoldered post and some truly invisible minor brass work. Some of the key cups are a bit marred. The horn is very straight. The neck has never been pulled down and it is fitted to perfection. The action is very light and extremely fast. The pads are a moderately firm setup fitted with nickel plated brass resotech flats. I set this horn up for myself and have played it to great enjoyment myself. This is an absolute kicker of a horn, very loud, very complex and very free blowing, can’t lose.
Otto Link Florida Soprano Slant Signature .063
This is a fairly early (no USA) slant signature Otto Link with the large chamber. It was stamped 5* with a bit of a thick tip finish, I was inspired to open it to .063 with a traditional Link facing and a good rail contour. This plays very big, and wide with a warm darker tone that also has a very fast and concise response. It has a unique singing quality that I think only these have. I felt that this piece did well with intonation as well, for whatever reason. It’s a very pretty sound.
Brilhart Ebolin Streamline 3 Original nice condition
This is what this is, no cracks, nice shape all original.
Selmer MK VI 143xxx original very nice condition
This is a fantastic 143k ‘Sanborn’ model period MK VI alto with the “Mark VI” stamp on the side of the body. These are/were said to be specially good, but I’ve found most of the 140k altos to be great anyhow so I am not so clear on that part. This horn is in very nice original (USA lacquer and engraving) condition with only one reattached low Eb Key guard foot, that is a very common situation with vintage Selmers.
The pads appear to be quite recent and seated nicely with a verifiable popping at the closing of the keys. The resonators appear to be nice quality domed nickel plated brass which is a bonus. The neck is in nearly perfect condition and is model period correct and without a serial number as the 140k’s were made.
Selmer MK VI Alto 107xxx Excellent in all Aspects
Selmer MK VI alto here that is just exceptional in both condition as well as function. The lacquer finish is original and is a wonderful bright gold the same as they were made without much darkening. Physically the horn is in just great condition with no damage or repair that I could find. The original matching neck has never been pulled and is in very nice shape along with bell rim and bow cap. You may observe some lacquer wear on one side of the neck but that is just wear, the neck has been structurally unaltered. The lacquer does show some ‘water spots’ dark coloration here and there where we can see it’s age but these are not solders nor evidence of damage. One area of the bell does show some lacquer breakdown.
This horn is a concise and fast player with a fine balanced projection featuring both nimble aggressiveness as well as complexity of tonal character. It is a ‘vintage’ tone yet not weighed down by sluggish heaviness of the air stream. I personally prefer this alto among many but I don’t play enough alto to keep it to myself. I’ve listed it here mainly because people were asking and it deserves use, it’s very very good. Years past I struggled with intonation on long bow altos but for whatever reason this, for me, tunes up beautifully.
Selmer MK VI Tenor original 104xxx
This is going to be a fun one for someone. It’s original lacquer, been played, shows some history on it, but in good condition and needs a real cleaning and overhaul. I don’t have time to take care of it at the moment, maybe in t he future but for now I am offering it to someone to make this their special player. These early 100k tenors just play great; a wonderful balance between quickness, punchy, brightness and vintage complexity. This is pretty much the end of the early period tonal depth as they started to brighten up the horns (for amplification?)
There is some evidence of a life lived here, a few minor resolders of guard feet and some minor dents and dings, normal stuff. Overall it looks quite nice with a very warm lacquer color. It has been sitting and has some corrosion which will clean up nicely with either white vinegar or brass cleaner. Bright dip would work well here too. There are some pads missing and it’s quite dirty so don’t ask if it plays. It does not now but it sure will!! The original (matching serial) neck is in excellent condition, obviously NEVER pulled down. The key pearls are also nice, almost no wear at all. Someone will get a project deal here.
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 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.
