Ofcourse, I wouldn't get one for an investment. Although it would do as a nice investment...but like you said, I'd get one only to play. People asked this one dude if he'd drive his Ferrari...and he said he's not going to keep it on a wall...he's gonna drive it. I was only wandering which is better because...well...I was just wandering.

well better is a very relative term! It's all a matter of opinion. What's better for me might not necessarily be what is better for you. Now, if you strictly asking in terms of value, the Mark VI is worth considerably more than an SBA, although even the SBA's are worth a pretty penny! If you're going to play the horn, find the one that you like best; and like a couple others here said; don't limit yourself to Selmer. Try a Conn, Buescher, King, Martin, H Couf, or Keilwerth.

Yeah, I'm not trying to limit myself to selmer much...which brings me to my next question... Would I be better off purchasing a vintage alto, or a yamaha alto yas-82z? also, if i was to get the z, would it be okay to get it unlaquered? because I remember connsaxman_jim had some points about unlaquered stuff..

i have two mark VI's, and the reason i do is that i can't afford more than one of any type of sax. they play great in any type of music spplication. the brand means nothing if the sax isn't playable. a mark VI is only as good as it plays.i was too young st the time to remember my buescher alto. when i got to high school my teacher told my parents that it was beyond repair. i had the conn 14m and 16m which were great horns. i played a yanagasawa baritone with a bass clarinet mouthpiece in a recording session, and the horn was very playable. my point is, that a mark VI is a used horn!!!! be careful. best of luck to you :)