Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone Bow Lengths Explained (with Photos)

The earliest Mark VI altos were built with a short bow design. These instruments have a noticeably tighter bend in the lower bow. Intonation requires more work, especially on long tube notes like low D and Eb, which tend to play sharp. Many players still love the sound and feel of these horns despite their quirks.

In response to the intonation challenges of the short bow, Selmer introduced a medium-length bow starting around serial number 75,000. This change improved pitch balance across the horn. While we don’t have a photo of this specific configuration, it is nearly identical in geometry to the medium bow used from 136k to 201k (pictured below).

Selmer extended the bow in 1959, producing what we now call the long bow. These horns have a larger, fuller sound and strong low-end presence. However, the low C and C# are characteristically flat and can be difficult to bring up in pitch. Long bow altos remain a sleeper favorite for many players who prioritize power and depth.

Selmer transitioned back to a medium bow design in 1965, addressing the flat low note issues of the long bow while maintaining excellent projection and tonal clarity. This version is often praised for its balanced response and consistent intonation throughout the range. It remained the standard through much of the late Mark VI era.

In the final years of Mark VI production, Selmer subtly shortened the medium bow once again. While it still falls under the "medium" classification, the slightly shorter length gives these later altos a punchier response and a touch more brilliance. Tonally and mechanically, they share most characteristics with the earlier medium bow horns.

This side-by-side comparison shows a medium bow from the 136k–201k period (right) alongside a final medium bow from post-201k (left). The final bow is slightly shorter, though the difference is subtle. Both designs provide excellent intonation and tonal balance, with minor differences in response and feel.