Henri Selmer Paris Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Overview
The Henri Selmer Paris Mark VI tenor saxophone is widely regarded as one of the defining professional saxophone designs of the 20th century, valued for its focused core, flexible response, and long history in jazz, classical, commercial, and studio playing. This Mark VI tenor belongs to the same broad vintage era associated with Sonny Rollins and many other influential tenor players, making it a meaningful instrument for saxophonists who understand the musical importance of this model. The serial number places the year of manufacture circa 1965.
Henri Selmer Paris Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Specifications
- Instrument Type: Tenor saxophone
- Key: Bb
- Manufacturer: Henri Selmer Paris
- Model: Mark VI
- Finish: Original gold lacquer
- Country of Manufacture: France
- Case: Black hard case with blue plush interior
- Accessories: Neck
- Serial Number: M130969
Condition & Setup
This saxophone is in excellent playing order and has been professionally serviced, set up, and play-tested. It shows extensive cosmetic wear, including lacquer loss, surface scratches, spotting, tarnish, and finish wear on the body, bell, bow, neck, and keywork. The bell and body engraving remain visible, and the neck is present. Remaining lacquer is original to the instrument. This is a vintage pre-owned instrument with visible wear consistent with long musical use.
Who the Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Is For
This Mark VI tenor is best suited to a serious saxophonist, professional player, advanced student, doubler, or collector who values the feel and tonal identity of a French-made Selmer Paris instrument. Players considering a Mark VI are often looking for a centered sound, expressive flexibility, and a response profile that has made the model a trusted choice across jazz, classical, commercial, and recording work.
Common Questions About the Henri Selmer Paris Mark VI
Why is the Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone so highly regarded?
The Selmer Mark VI is widely respected for its combination of tonal focus, projection, mechanical feel, and musical flexibility. It has a deep professional history and remains one of the benchmark vintage tenor saxophones for many players.
What does the Sonny Rollins vintage reference mean?
The reference is to the Mark VI production era associated with Sonny Rollins, not to prior ownership or use by the artist. It helps place this instrument in the historical context that many tenor players consider when evaluating a vintage Mark VI.
How should a player evaluate a vintage Mark VI tenor?
A player should evaluate response, intonation, key feel, neck fit, tonal center, and mouthpiece pairing. Those factors are especially important because individual vintage Mark VI saxophones can have distinct playing personalities.
We are proud to be an authorized Selmer Paris dealer
In stock! Ships within 1-2 business days.
30-day risk-free trial
2-Year Warranty
Complimentary shipping for all U.S. orders over $99
Selmer Paris Mark VI Professional Tenor Saxophone in Original Lacquer SN M130969
Henri Selmer Paris Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Overview
The Henri Selmer Paris Mark VI tenor saxophone is widely regarded as one of the defining professional saxophone designs of the 20th century, valued for its focused core, flexible response, and long history in jazz, classical, commercial, and studio playing. This Mark VI tenor belongs to the same broad vintage era associated with Sonny Rollins and many other influential tenor players, making it a meaningful instrument for saxophonists who understand the musical importance of this model. The serial number places the year of manufacture circa 1965.
Henri Selmer Paris Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Specifications
- Instrument Type: Tenor saxophone
- Key: Bb
- Manufacturer: Henri Selmer Paris
- Model: Mark VI
- Finish: Original gold lacquer
- Country of Manufacture: France
- Case: Black hard case with blue plush interior
- Accessories: Neck
- Serial Number: M130969
Condition & Setup
This saxophone is in excellent playing order and has been professionally serviced, set up, and play-tested. It shows extensive cosmetic wear, including lacquer loss, surface scratches, spotting, tarnish, and finish wear on the body, bell, bow, neck, and keywork. The bell and body engraving remain visible, and the neck is present. Remaining lacquer is original to the instrument. This is a vintage pre-owned instrument with visible wear consistent with long musical use.
Who the Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Is For
This Mark VI tenor is best suited to a serious saxophonist, professional player, advanced student, doubler, or collector who values the feel and tonal identity of a French-made Selmer Paris instrument. Players considering a Mark VI are often looking for a centered sound, expressive flexibility, and a response profile that has made the model a trusted choice across jazz, classical, commercial, and recording work.
Common Questions About the Henri Selmer Paris Mark VI
Why is the Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone so highly regarded?
The Selmer Mark VI is widely respected for its combination of tonal focus, projection, mechanical feel, and musical flexibility. It has a deep professional history and remains one of the benchmark vintage tenor saxophones for many players.
What does the Sonny Rollins vintage reference mean?
The reference is to the Mark VI production era associated with Sonny Rollins, not to prior ownership or use by the artist. It helps place this instrument in the historical context that many tenor players consider when evaluating a vintage Mark VI.
How should a player evaluate a vintage Mark VI tenor?
A player should evaluate response, intonation, key feel, neck fit, tonal center, and mouthpiece pairing. Those factors are especially important because individual vintage Mark VI saxophones can have distinct playing personalities.
We are proud to be an authorized Selmer Paris dealer
Pairs well with
In stock! Ships within 1-2 business days.
30-day risk-free trial
2-Year Warranty
Complimentary shipping for all U.S. orders over $99
Selmer Paris Mark VI Professional Tenor Saxophone in Original Lacquer SN M130969
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
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Shipping Information
Orders valued over $99 ship via FedEx 2-Day within the U.S. and via DHL internationally. A physical address (no P.O. Boxes) and signature are required. Smaller accessories ship via USPS (2–5 day service) and do not require a signature if valued under $99. Please see our FAQ for additional details.
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Return Policy
We offer an unconditional 30-day return policy to ensure you’re completely satisfied. If you’re unhappy for any reason, return the item for a full refund or full exchange credit (reeds and other consumables are non-returnable once opened). Every instrument we sell is guaranteed to be free of mechanical defects—if an issue arises, contact us and we’ll either reimburse a local repair or provide a prepaid return label for repair, exchange, or refund. If you simply change your mind, you may still return the item for a full refund, but return shipping costs are the customer’s responsibility unless free returns were purchased through Redo at checkout. Please see our FAQ for additional details.
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Shop Warranty:
Brand new items are covered by the full manufacturer’s warranty unless otherwise noted (see the individual maker for details). Open box/refurbished, used, and vintage items include a two-year warranty serviced by our in-house repair shop, and we guarantee every instrument will be free of mechanical defects. Warranty coverage does not include damage from accident, misuse, negligence, improper operation, unauthorized alterations or removed serial numbers, normal wear and routine maintenance, environmental damage (including perspiration, corrosion, or extreme temperature and humidity), lacquer or plating wear, or consumable parts such as springs, pads, and felts. Please see our FAQ for additional details.