1967 Alto Saxophone SELMER Paris Mark VI "Sanborn", #140160

The American alto saxophonist David Sanborn, who died in 2024, was not only one of the most famous saxophonists of our time, but also an absolute SELMER Mark VI enthusiast. The altos built between 1967 and 1969 were his absolute favorites (Medium II series).

The term “Sanborn alto” has been established in the SELMER scene for years, referring to these very Mark VI altos with the medium Bow II.

Now to the SELMER Mark VI “Sanborn” alto presented here: it was built in 1967 in the SELMER workshops in Mantes la Ville near Paris, then shipped unlacquered and without engraving to SELMER USA in Elkhard. There it was lacquered, engraved, and finally assembled. The beautiful honey-colored lacquer is still almost completely intact, and the hand engraving on the bell shows a reclining flower, both of which are typical features of the US version of a SELMER Mark VI from that period.

This Mark VI alto saxophone has a beautifully focused core with plenty of substance and radiance. Its mechanics work wonderfully, everything runs smoothly, and there is no rattling when playing. Just as a discerning player would want.