140,xxx Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone, Sanborn S/N, Original Lacquer

1966 Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone, serial number 140213. This saxophone has its original lacquer with approximately 95% still present. It was previously owned by a professional jazz musician who decided to part with it simply because it wasn’t getting enough playing time, as he is primarily a tenor player. This is a truly great-feeling Mark VI alto. The pads are a mix of new and old, but they seal well, and I can easily get around the horn in all registers. The neck is original to the saxophone and has never been bent down. Many players and collectors consider the late 13x,xxx through 14x,xxx serial number range to be Selmer’s best periods for Mark VI altos. Players including David Sanborn and Kenny Garrett have played and collected altos from this vintage. Selmer experimented with several bow lengths and ultimately moved to the medium bow shortly before this saxophone was made. In my experience, the medium bow altos offer the best combination of great intonation, response, and tone. These early medium bow Mark VI altos have a gorgeous, complex sound, and this one is a very strong example.