Selmer Super Sax/Radio Improved Alto Saxophone-Made 1935-Rare! Beautiful! WOW

Finding a Selmer Super Sax/Radio Improved saxophone in this condition so extremely rare that it might only be once in a lifetime you find something like this! This beautiful great condition Selmer alto belonged to a dear friend and customer of mine who I've known for almost 50 years. He was a top NY doubler playing with all the greats including Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, The Radio City Orchestra, multiple Broadway Shows as well as symphony orchestra playing.

He passed away recently and I'm helping with the liquidation of his gear to help the family. The proceeds from this sale are to help the family.

Here we have a Selmer Super Sax Alto Saxophone #20XXX. Made in 1935 in Paris. Notice the 3 S's under the Elkhart triangle stamp.

The three S's (Selmer Super Sax Stamp) in this case are on a Radio Improved Model which was only made between 1934 and 1935. The concept was to make an instrument with a very pure and direct tone for picking up by microphone for broadcasts on the radio. It indeed has that very centered sound and so much color and sweetness as well.

I don't think I've ever heard a sweeter sound on saxophone. Many other models give a more dark and fluffy tone in contrast.

I would call the Radio Improved a bridge between a classical tone and a jazzy tone making it versatile in either genre. As far as we can find out from past photos and memorabilia this saxophone was being played since around 1945.

It was his pride and joy. In fact it was repadded in my shop only about 6 or 7 years ago and barely picked up after that. The pads are still in excellent condition although the low D and the G# were so sticky that I replaced these. The playing condition is fabulous now. A few things to note which make this horn special.

The owner had rings soldered in the lowest tone holes to even out and raise the pitch. This is often a problem with older horns when attempting to play them with modern tuning.

Due to this modification the horn plays beautifully in tune at A=440. The lacquer appears to be about 95% perfect.

There are some scuffs, scratches and marks from previous repairs but all very small. Someone had glued a couple of felts onto the body with damaged the lacquer when these were removed.

All in all the condition is very clean, mechanically perfect and in excellent adjustment. The original trepac case is included which is also in great condition on the inside and the zipper works perfectly on both the left and right. There are scuff marks on the outside of the case. All in all a super great saxophone for the player or collector.

More photos on request and feel free to contact me if you have a question. The item "Selmer Super Sax/Radio Improved Alto Saxophone-Made 1935-Rare! WOW" is in sale since Friday, July 24, 2020. This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Vintage Musical Instruments\Vintage Wind & Woodwind\Band & Orchestral\Saxophones".

The seller is "vintageflutes" and is located in Jersey City, New Jersey. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada.

Body Finish: Lacquer
Exact Year: 1935
Key Finish: Lacquer
Brand: Selmer
Skill Level: Professional