From: be726@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Joseph A. Ellis Jr.)
Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote,rec.music.makers
Subject: Re: HELP! - Considering Selmer VI purchase ... need opinions
Date: 23 Dec 1992 20:54:31 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: be726@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Joseph A. Ellis Jr.)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, burdick@frostbite.crd.ge.com (William E. Burdick KWC-1623 5585) says:

>December 23, 1992
>
>I know its the holidays and there aren't many net readers at this
>time of year but I need help, quickly ...
>
>I am a beginner tenor player (been playing for about a year); I
>own a 1926 Pan American - its a student model made by Conn back
>during the "roaring twenties"; its a great sax for a beginner, like
>me, but I knew the day would come when I'd get the upgrade fever.
>
>I have a chance to buy a Selmer Mark VI and although I realize that
>(i) a Selmer Mark VI in my hands is kind of like feeding stawberries
>to pigs and (ii) better equipment doesn't make better players; I
>also know that (a) I'll probably be a sax player for the rest of my
>life [I LOVE it!] and (b) when opportunity knocks, one better answer.
>If I'm right about (i), (ii), (a), and (b) then now is just as good
>a time as any (maybe better?) to grab a good tenor.
>
>I'd like opinions about the sax and my playing and purchase philosophy.
>
>SAX SPECS (this is all I know ... haven't had a chance to see/play it)
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>- Selmer Mark VI
>- $2650 (that seems somewhat high ... what's the range on these things?)
>- vintage 1969 or 1970 (not sure, yet)
>- Serial #: S190850
>- Original laquer, new pads (with tone boosters?)
>- few dings, some pitting, no obvious dents
>- history: hand picked for current owner by J.R. Monterose
>           (a player of some national prominence ... hails
>            from Utica, NY).  Current owner recently upgraded
>            to ?  Also, current owner uses same repair shop as me
>            and took lessons with my instructor about fifteen years
>            ago i.e. the current owner is a straight shooter, so to
>            speak.
>- comes with case (case will hold sax, clarinet, and flute)
>
>
>I intend to try the sax and because of my limited abilities, let
>my instructor and repair guys give it a test drive of their own.
>
>Please reply, at your earliest convenience (I don't know how many
>people I'm competing with), to: burdick@frostbite.crd.ge.com
>
>Thanks and Happy Holidays,
>Bill Burdick
>
>burdick@frostbite.crd.ge.com
>


A very simple reccomendation... If the people who give it the test drive say
it's OK, and you have the money... BUY IT! The MK VI is a VERY good horn, one of
the best. The price is reasonable, especially with the tray-pack case. If you 
do plan on sticking with it, you'll need it eventually anyway. You've found
a nice horn... take care of it, and have fun!

-- 
 Joe Ellis  o/~ The Synthetic Filker o/~    |     TesserAct Studios
     Internet:   usr6184a@cbos.uc.edu       |       P.O. Box 18577
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    All filked up and no place to sing!     |   New Dimensions In Filk!