Description
This Selmer Balanced Action silver alto saxophone is in excellent condition with 95% or more of the original silver plating. It has just come from the shop where it was cleaned, adjusted, and re-padded so it plays wonderfully. There are no dings or dents in the saxophone or evidence of any major repairs. There is some very light pitting to the silver finish along the back of the body and on some of the keys. The only noticeable plating wear is on a few of the touch spots on the keys and key guards. Please see the photos for more details. The serial number is “32544” making this a 1946 vintage alto saxophone. Please note the black key buttons. This saxophone was made right after WWII when they were still having trouble importing pearl key buttons so they made them black plastic. Above the serial number is engraved “Brev. S.G.D.G. No 383.098 ENGL. PAT. No 11.824”. The engraving on the bell is crisp and reads: “Brevete France & Etranger” and “Henri Selmer Paris” engraved in laurel leaves and the words “Fabrique en France Par H. Selmer & Cie Place Dancourt. Paris”. This alto saxophone comes with the original “H. Selmer Paris” neck in great condition and has no evidence of a pulldown. It also comes in a new replacement Selmer case. No mouthpiece is included. A wooden neck plug is included.
Selmer’s Balanced Actions, Super Balanced Actions and Mark VI’s are the Stradivarius of saxophones. At the end of the day deciding which to buy is a little like picking between a Lamborghini or a Ferrari. It is really a matter of preference. For this particular horn, we can tell you that it has that rich, dark, iconic Selmer sound. These are not Yamahas that are cranked out; each saxophone has its own character and presence that is almost impossible to describe on paper. It has to be heard; it has to be felt.
Additional Information:
Instrument Condition: The overall physical condition of this used instrument is very good to excellent.
Playing Condition: This instrument is currently in excellent playing condition.
The Key Plating: Approximately 90-95% of the original key plating remains with medium player wear to the touch spots.
The Finish: It has approximately 95%+ of the silver finish.
Player Wear: Very light general wear (minor if any surface imperfections).
The Bell: No dents or evidence of bell edge damage.
The Bow: No dents in the bottom bow or bow guard.
Pad Condition: The pads are in very good used condition.
Resonator Type: Plastic resonators.
The Neck: The neck has approximately 95%+ of the finish remaining with very light general wear (minor if any surface imperfections).
The Mouthpiece: No mouthpiece, ligature, or accessories are included. A good used wooden neck plug is included.
The Case: Good used condition (General wear with some edge wear and visible surface scratches).
Engraving: Brev. S.G.D.G. No 383.098 ENGL. PAT. No 11.824 (above the serial number) Brevete France & Etranger Henri Selmer Paris Fabrique en France Par H. Selmer & Cie Place Dancourt. Paris (on the bell) H. Selmer Paris (on the neck).
*Note: We do offer private appointments to test our high end quality instruments, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
