Do you NEED a Mark VI? The best saxophone ever?? (Selmer Series III, Reference 54, Mark VI compared)

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Do you NEED a Mark VI? The best saxophone ever?? (Selmer Series III, Reference 54, Mark VI compared)

Рет қаралды 16,796

Күн бұрын

Everybody knows about the notorious Selmer Mark VI saxophone, but who really needs one? How does it compare to other horns, like the Series II, Series III, and Reference 54? Kyle Brooks and I dive in to find out how the Mark VI and other horns work for jazz and classical and also discuss other equipment choices. Enjoy!
00:00 - Introduction
01:42 - Ref 54 Overview
03:21 - Ref 54 Jazz Demo
07:36 - Mark VI Overview
09:17 - Mark VI Jazz Demo
15:50 - Series III Overview
16:48 - Series III Jazz Demo
19:24 - Classical Intro
19:56 - Series III Classical Demo
21:45 - Series II Neck Overview
22:21 - Series II Neck Classical Demo
24:18 - Ref 54 Classical Demo
28:50 - Mark VI Classical Demo
32:39 - Jazz vs. Classical Needs
40:21 - Conclusion
A/V Gear
- Olympus E-M1 Mark II
- Blue Yeti Pro
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Interface
- Recorded into and processed in Logic Pro X
#MarkVI #Reference54 #Series3 #SeriesIII #Selmer #sax #saxotips #saxophoneplayer #saxophone #saxophoneplayers #saxophonist #saxo #saxofon #saxofonista #saxofone #music #musician #musicianlife #lesson #impressions #review #band #bandkids #bandnerd #concertband #marchingband #marchingbandmemes #bandmemes #legere #selmer #connselmer #selmerparis #selmersaxophone #classicalsaxophone #jazz #jazzsaxophone

Пікірлер: 57

@heaneymusic 3 жыл бұрын

Check out Kyle Brooks here, y’all: - kzfaq.info/love/BmxHEgCu_FZwYUFn9oxOmA - www.kylebrookssaxophone.com

@vigilfox 3 жыл бұрын

I had a Mark VI, late model (231,xxx serial number) with a High F# key. Seriously considered continuing to use it as my daily driver, but the intonation deficiencies in the lower register were too much effort to overcome vs the benefits. Decided to stick with my Series II, especially since I mostly play concert (classical) saxophone.

@donl3248 2 жыл бұрын

There are plenty of great new and vintage saxophones. I am the original owner of a 220 series Mk VI tenor. My four influential teachers were Selmer guys. Mine will stay with me until I draw my last breath. That said after 40 years of consistent use it requires an expensive overhaul if not rebuild. My search for another started with all things Selmer. At my age and for as much as I play out these days, a new or decent used was unjustifiable. My local repair guy had me try a Mauriat 76. My VI doesn’t come out of the case much these days. So, no you don’t NEED a MkVI but owning one and using one for 45 years has been a joy. I also own a 1933 Cigar Cutter alto that has an amazing sound.

@claypufahl6074 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! As a jazz player, I would be hard pressed to replace my vi’s but if I were playing classical I can definitely see their deficiencies. Almost like what is an asset as a jazz player is a deficit to a classical player, haha!

@leanmchungry4735 3 жыл бұрын

It is widely heard that the variations to Selmer alto bows were due to intonation problems. However there was a bigger problem that took years to fully iron out, a percentage of Selmer altos gurgled--and still do-- in the low register, particularly when the mouthpiece is pulled out, this is an acoustic issue, it was finally addressed in the late medium series with the soldered in baffle which fine tunes the bows geometry and internal volume. There are intonation quirks between short, mediums and long bows yes, I've had the lot, but the gurgle which mysteriously popped up in a range of different bow lengths, was a more serious design problem which Selmer finally solved.

@nhr27 Жыл бұрын

Shockingly, the iii sounds the best to my ear. Warmer, darker, spread - however you want to say it. Just more pleasing.

@heaneymusic Жыл бұрын

I also love my Series III! The Supreme has a lot in common with it, as well.

@lexigone 23 күн бұрын

My choice will be Ref 54.

@Shaun_Oh 2 жыл бұрын

I remember in 2006 my father having 6 references at home to try. He wanted to upgrade from his buffet s1. In the end he sent them all back and stuck to his buffet. For him that was the best instrument for classical music, ofcourse that doesn't say any thing about the selmers, thay are amazing instruments!

@rhrh2025 2 жыл бұрын

The Selmer Mark VI line was very inconsistent! I had a bad one that I sold in 1977! Do not assume that because it has Mark VI stamped on it that it's a great horn. I changed to Yamaha and never looked back! They're consistent, and very well made, and they typically cost less than Selmer!

@tpark89 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for such a clear and interesting video! I personally don't think notes having different timbre from one another is necessarily a bad thing but maybe that's coming from what I'm used to and what I'm used to doing. I actually find "super even" sounds often quite bland and almost boring at times, and that kind of set up gives you little room to push or deviate from; can be kind of limiting. It is very interesting about the Reference's intonation, though, because personally I've found for saxes especially if the upper register is "too in tune," it can actually be tricky to play in more pre-bop style due to the idomatic voicing that I think is appropriate (you'll end up flat). However in the recent years I have found jazz players (and classical, of course) are starting to lean more toward evenness, roundness, and more homogeneity in the sound. Is that good? Who knows. Interesting times for sure, thank you both again!

@heaneymusic 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for your thoughts, Tony. I enjoy your stuff!

@AndSendMe 2 жыл бұрын

Great points. If you look to the violin world you see the same thing happening, at least among symphonic and student players. Evenness is often sought, richness and expressive color are not valued enough to pay the price of varied tonal character. But there are players bucking the trend in the saxophone world. Mark VI sopranos, the notorious 'worst' of the VIs, are still preferred by many UK and a few European classical pros. I love the sound a great player can get from these instruments.

@user-xn9ep2vy9z 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate the honest comparison. You come across in a fair neutral position. They’re both ausum instruments. Wish I could afford the Alto Supreme, I presently have the Selmer Series lll model 64 Tenor which in my opinion an ausum Sax

@marks.6656 3 жыл бұрын

To my ears, your Ref 54 sounded fantastic, but the VI sounded so tubby and thin

@JWisemanMusic 11 ай бұрын

Agreed his setup doesn’t suit the mark VI it lacks clarity compared to the ref 54

@TrueBlueYou Жыл бұрын

Did you know the Mk VI alto neck was angled about 8-10 mm higher than anything Selmer made? That’s where the huskiness/power came from along w/ the medium bows. MkVI’s would gobble air with some resistance. Hands down the best altos for jazz

@leycroft5031 3 жыл бұрын

A very interesting and enjoyable video . Kyle sounds at his best on the Serie 111 only my opinion.

@heaneymusic 3 жыл бұрын

I too am biased to the Series 3, but I cannot deny he sounds great on his Mark VI :)

@zangsax 3 жыл бұрын

Nice job. Ive owned a hundred horns as a jazz player a great VI set up correctly with a great neck is had to beat when I gad to sell my 58k VI i settled on a serie III alto and 990 yanigisawa. Yani brighter in a Canonball Adderly way. Ive repaireda lot of modern Selmers and always feel the Serie III is their best horn. Best sounding sop , VI by far ,after 25 yrs I let mine go for an in tune Yani 901(dont like 2 piece) nino,tenor,bari all VI. Plus a serie II nino and bari for critical tuning but not as much fun as the VL,s to play.

@benhostetler268 3 жыл бұрын

The Mark VI just sparkles and mine does as well but they are different and anyone interested in one please please try before you buy. Unfortunately Selmer hasn’t been able to recapture that sparkle so far (maybe the sparkle comes from the inherent imperfections all Mark VI’s have). Maybe the Supreme will do it but until it does I won’t hold my breath.

@harryrivera5713 Жыл бұрын

Great informative video. I play a 88xxx VI long bow alto and it’s very lyrical and has a great sound. It’s been my only alto for years. I tried a Ref54 when they first came out and really liked it and was always wondering if I should get a backup alto? Your video convinced me to stick with the VI just because of purely the sound and tone I hear. Also can you tell me where I can get a donut that Kyle is using? I worked out the intonation on the lower notes but curious what this donut can offer? Do you know if it mutes the overall sound?

@heaneymusic Жыл бұрын

I believe Kyle was using the NeoTech “sax tone filter” mute in his Mark VI. These donuts are primarily used for the intonation and shouldn’t mute the sound if properly positioned and angled. I personally try to avoid using them due to the slight change in response, but I do keep a Nathan Mertens mute on hand for pieces that require the low B or Bb to be either at 0 cents or slightly flat at quiet dynamics.

@mikespadafora9077 Жыл бұрын

having played a Yamaha YAS 62 since 1984, I prefer the Ref 54 more modern tone. I can get mine to sound like a mk 6 wiht a 82Z neck, but am not crazy about it

@tianl98765 3 жыл бұрын

great video!!! very interesting. Btw, my mark vi (14xxxx) also has that stuffy issue in C and much different timber in B. I wonder if it's because the key height of the B. Mine has great intonation, almost close to perfect, better than the series ii I have.

@billducker7404 3 жыл бұрын

Beauty is in the ear of the beholder -God bless - Bill - UK

@robinchrist7172 3 жыл бұрын

Love my mk6 but they are not all great horns, some are quite average.

@super20dan 3 жыл бұрын

i have 4. but no longer gig on them

@hepburndavis Жыл бұрын

I am a total novice, I just like the vibe of the Tenor Sax. However, all I’m seeing on KZfaq are Alto sax. Why don’t I see more tenor, is something wrong with tenor saxes?

@bobblues1158 3 жыл бұрын

Yanagisawa - I promise you- the sound is in your head- it does not matter what the horn is if it is in good shape. Selmer is an illusion filled with myth , compromise and promotion. Nothing wrong with that-business is business. I am 76 and have owned and played almost anything you can think of. I will just reiterate, the sound is in your head and you will come to it within a year and a half no matter set up you play. Find the set up with the least obstacles to arriving at your æsthetic. Respect for you both. It´s just my observation. Best of luck on the journey!

@tpark89 3 жыл бұрын

The sound is in your head, but comes out through horn. Saying that the horn doesn't matter is also illusion-filled, I would respecfully comment.

@bobblues1158 3 жыл бұрын

@@tpark89 Ok Tony, I think you got me there(LOL) I think i went too far.

@HaHaHaHope 3 жыл бұрын

@@bobblues1158 no you didn’t. You’re spot on. These sax snobs are so full of themselves.

@SaxSith 7 ай бұрын

You don’t need a Mk6, but you NEED a Selmer😅

@LeeRedfieldmusic 3 жыл бұрын

Has the Reference 54 been setup by a good tech? Im surprised it gives you 2 so much pitch trouble. Could the key height be adjusted?

@heaneymusic 3 жыл бұрын

Yep, several good techs have looked at it over the years, including Paul Maslin, Eric Satterlee, Brennan Lagan, and Bird Wistreich.

@hepcatbdr5291 3 жыл бұрын

If I lost my 64,XXX tenor I got from my former teacher (Bunte) I would replace it with a P Mauriat no high F#. Also, if you haven’t, try some foil tape inside the bell instead of the donut.

@ronbrese3803 9 ай бұрын

You didn't throw a mark VII in the mix... (-:

@hepburndavis Жыл бұрын

I stumbled upon a Selmer Mark VI Tenor Sax in Pawn Shop. I’m not a sax player but I’m picking up pointers on KZfaq. Do you think it’s possible to learn to play from KZfaq? Is this sax too good for a novice like me?

@heaneymusic Жыл бұрын

Keep the Mark VI, it is an appreciating asset! Especially if you got it for cheap. And you can certainly get started on KZfaq, it’s never been easier to access that information. However, I definitely recommend picking up a method book (Essential Elements, Rubank, etc.) as well as lessons with a teacher.

@scatterscribe 2 ай бұрын

You can certainly teach yourself using KZfaq and various method books. However, if you can find a good teacher who’s sound you love then you’ll find that you’ll progress both faster and further with their help.

@BeachBoi1000 Жыл бұрын

Why they don’t make another Mark VI?

@heaneymusic Жыл бұрын

Many reasons. The original tooling and oral knowledge used to manufacture the Mark VI (Selmer did not keep “blueprints” until the SA80) no longer exists. Modern saxophones objectively have more even tuning and timbre, which is ideal for most genres of music. The modern tonal taste is generally a little brighter. And most importantly, the Mark VI already exists, so you can already find one. No point in repeating the past, especially considering the original Mark VIs are not perfect horns by any measure.

@romehatsushiba1029 2 жыл бұрын

whats that ring looking thing in the mark 6?

@hincapiej4 2 жыл бұрын

A mute

@hincapiej4 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry a donut

@MKD371 2 жыл бұрын

The series three sounds so boxed in and stuffy, not close to mk6 in any way, just from an objective hearing stance. I don't feel the mk6 is dark in the slightest, due to that glow and projection in the tone.

@rhrh2025 2 жыл бұрын

The Mark VI was very inconsistent back then! Just because it said Selmer Mark VI didn't mean it was a good instrument. I had a bad one, and switched to Yamaha!

@_manyus 3 жыл бұрын

Now Selmer Supreme..

@AutismusPrime69 2 жыл бұрын

Some hands are bigger than others

@JorisPosthumus 11 ай бұрын

just get a Yani, it's the best

@user-ld3jm7ui4u 3 жыл бұрын

The series 3 sound doesn't fit for classic, as a series 2 player

@heaneymusic 3 жыл бұрын

I’ll have to disagree, many of the biggest classical players used it to great effect. Tim McAllister, Claude Delangle, Debra Richtmeyer, most of the French school players 2000’s onward, etc.

@user-ld3jm7ui4u 3 жыл бұрын

@@heaneymusic it sounds more like oboe Btw great video, also like the video you did on the supreme, great content !