134,xxx Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone, Varitone Model, Fresh Overhaul, Video
1966 134,xxx Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone. This horn was originally outfitted with a Varitone setup, which was Selmer's attempt at amplifying the saxophone in order to compete with electronic instruments of the 1960's. You can still see some remnants of the Varitone setup, including mounting holes in the low B/Bb keyguard, and a metal bracket on the bow to bell brace. The neck also had the original microphone pickup, which I sent to Aaron Barnard to remove and install a flush mount. His work is truly top notch, as the plug is nearly invisible except for some missing lacquer around the repair location.
One of the attributes that make a Varitone tenor quite special and unique is its neck. It has a lower profile than other necks of the same vintage, and it has been discussed that the neck design is the same as 80,xxx necks. When comparing this neck to a spare 85,xxx neck that I have, they are identical. Later Mark VI necks are about 1 cm taller, and have a different profile than the Varitone neck.
