This little horn is quite amazing. I must admit that I was tempted for a brief period of time last night when I first saw the ad. However, I know that I will never be able to use this sopranino like it should be used: I never have been, and never will be, a true small horn player. But perhaps this minty Mark VI sopranino will be able to fill a vacancy in your horn stable.
Source: eBay.com
Here’s what the seller says about this, the smallest member of the Selmer Mark VI family:
Unique new old stock Mark VI sopranino, made in 1983 by Selmer Paris
This is an incredible piece, maybe the last Mark VI ever built by Selmer: a new old stock sopranino from… 1983! In fact, it stayed unused in a closet during 27 years…
About condition, it’s very simple: this little beast is… all new, really new! It means: no dings, no scratches, no lacquer wear… Pads, corks, felts and springs are new, just out from the Selmer factory. All keys are perfectly tight. I just had the sax controlled by my tech : setup is perfect. I had it tested by a friend which is used to sopraninos since years: he said the instrument plays like a dream, with this full rich sound and perfect intonation Mark VI sopraninos are famous for. If my friend would have got the money, he would have bought it immediatly.
If you prefer, you can buy a new Selmer SA 80 sopranino for 6555 euros, lowest price in Europe. List price is 8356 euros… But SA 80 ninos have the reputation to deliver a very piercing sound, extremely bright and nasal. In the contrary, Mark VI sopraninos are very much sought after because their sound is round, pure and not agressive.
This particular Mark VI nino is one of the very few keyed to high F#. Most others Mark VI ninos stop at high Eb.
The sopranino comes with its case, Selmer C** mouthpiece, Rovner lig and cap, and one Vandoren reed.
Many people think that Mark VI production ended in 1975. That’s true only for altos and tenors, because they were replaced by Mark 7 versions. But the Mark VI production continued until mid-80’s for the bass, baritone, soprano and sopranino Selmer saxophones. Then, these four Mark VI models where directly replaced by the new Super Action 80 versions, completely different in design and sound.
To clear another issue: Mark VI sopranos and sopraninos were never engraved with “Mark VI”, but you can easily recognize the model by serial number and key design, especially by looking at the left pinky cluster.
This little beauty is maybe the very last Mark VI ever made, and certainly the only one you can buy new today! Player’s dream, collector’s dream…
Don’t miss the opportunity to buy this unique Selmer saxophone! It will be impossible in the future to find another like this one, in this condition and at this price!
If you already own the four main Mark VI saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone), it could be your only chance to complete the collection!
If you usually play the Eb saxophones (alto and baritone), it’s a rare opportunity to extend your range one full octave into the high notes, with the best new sopranino available on the market!
On my side, I could be interested in a trade with a high end tenor like Selmer SBA, 5 digits Mark VI or full pearls King Super 20. Other quality saxes could be interesting too, if some cash is added.
I ship anywhere in the world. Please feel free to ask any questions before bidding. Please send me your email to get bigger or specific pictures before bidding. I speak English, sorry not German. I’m an eBay member since May 2001, specialized in french vintage instruments. Please look at my feedback to bid with confidence.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
All I can say is “Wow”! I’m still tempted, but no, I will not be buying this sax. I still have the residual pain and pressure in my head, as well as burst blood vessels in my left eye, from yesterday’s practice session with my new tenor Dukoff mouthpiece. This little horn would kill me… Perhaps literally.
If you’re interested in this minty Mark VI sopranino, the auction runs until May 3. The Buy It Now price is € 3,950.00, which eBay estimates to be approximately $5,277.60. At the time of writing there were already 3 offers of this little horn.
Update: This auction was ended early by the seller, on April 25. (The day I wrote this post.) This sax has so far not appeared again on eBay, despite appearing not to have sold.
It’s keyed to high F#?! What kind of medieval torture device IS this?
It’s the precursor to the Soprillo saxophone. and you would think that they’d stop at sopranino………..
my friend has a sopranino, the thing’s a beast, Lazarro, but plays out of tune on te higher notes. Yes it is an Asian horn and plays rather nicely until high G/G# then is way out of tune.
If it starts veering sharp at A, it’s a neck problem — whether the neck is detachable or not. A properly formed and placed bore insert can fix that, and changing the size and/or location of the upper octave pip could fix it as well. I’ve had to deal with this on several horns.