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.
Vintage Otto Link and Dukoff Treasure trove
Vintage Otto Link & Dukoff Tenor Piece sale. These are consignment so I will try to do the best I can for my friend. Feel free to make offers, demand determines flexibility. Message me, Thanks!
Otto Link FL/EB Trans. .100 Marinated (ON HOLD)
Tonemaster
Otto Link FL no USA Original 6 .095 CLEAN $1500
Otto Link FL 5 copy-casting, no makers sign, good blank SOLD
Otto Link FL Slant Sig. 7 no USA Original near mint
Amazingly well preserved original near mint Otto Link ‘slant signature’ mid-period Florida (no USA) 7 tenor piece. This is really exceptionally difficult to find, now. The original table milling marks are fully present, as well as the original facing and tip finish, nothing has been done to this piece. It appears to have been played just very little and shows no significant wear, some normal scuff or scratches but that’s it. I measured this piece at exactly .100″ which again is also rare.
It has the typical idiosyncratic facing curve that Ben Harrod was applying to these links at that time, slightly short on the front end of the facing, which produces a characteristic brightness with a bit of resistance and a fast response. While the underlying tone is darker and very colorful and complex, the response actually comes out very edgy and cutting due to that facing and the moderate baffle they crafted. This piece, however is very flexible if one learns how to manipulate it. it can easily go from the Stan Getz classic slant sig vibe to a Sonny Rollins or more aggressive very easily. It is a phenomenal playing early example of really the best design of the slant sig FL.
Meyer Bros NY Original MINT condition 5M Medium with color variance (SOLD)
Here we have a very rare nearly new Meyer Bros. New York alto 5M Medium Chamber. This piece shows very little wear, a few minor scuffs. The table and facing finish are 100% original showing the original ‘cloudy’ milling pattern and very fine tip rail. All surfaces are sharp and original stock Meyer finishing. You will notice the old hard rubber has some color variance likely due to light exposure.
I have played this piece and some of the world’s most celebrated saxophone artists have also tried it and felt it was exceptionally great. It is generally felt that this particular piece plays with the depth complexity and color one would desire in the best of these vintage Meyers without succumbing to the overly bright or shrill tendencies of many refaced examples, as this baffle has been untouched.
Simply this is one of the absolute best and balanced examples of this rare model. Due to the rarity, condition and playability of course it is not cheap. There are very few like this available.
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 and then a shimmering warm edge on top of the sound, and the very quick response 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 earlier VI. 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 I have liked this neck better on this one; it has a certain focus and speed that is beneficial and somehow seems to let the proper character shine. I have recently put an old 95k neck on this as well and that is super as well. I will give the buyer their choice of necks, add a little more cost with the 95k neck if chosen.
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 are not willing to 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.
