pulled this from the Selmer Paris website
Selmer Paris said:
- It would take three years of development to turn the page after twenty years of hte "Mark VI". Michel Nouaux, a soloist with the Republican Guard, took part in this challenge. The "Mark VII's" improvements included a new octave key mechanism and a functional placement of the spatula group for the left-hand little finger, allowing for more flexible passage over the whole of the plate. The keywork was broadened to improve the handling of the instrument. The body to bell ring changed to a ring anchored at three points. And there was the return to the use of a plastic booster on the pads.
- It was an instrument completely in step with its time. With the advent of Rock'n'Roll and pop music, the arrival of the "Mark VII" was a natural repsonse, reflecting Selmer's commitment to the search for a powerful sound, particularly rich in high harmonics.
- However, only the alto and tenor saxophones saw the light of day; the soprano and baritone "Mark VII" prototypes started during this period were instead used as the basis for the "Super Action 80" line.