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Late Radio / Dorsey Horns - an ongoing study
I am gathering information on Late Radio / Dorsey saxophones for a publication planned in the fall of 2017. Anyone with one of these horns who would be willing to help would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to gather information on any Selmer saxophone with left-hand bell keys and a serial number later that 20,500 as well as information on any Balanced Action horn within the production batches listed below.
Posts #2 and #3 below will be regularly updated to reflect progress.
Specifically, I am looking for the following information.
1) Photos of the saxophone, including overall front and back, a close-up of the octave mechanism and a closeup of the entire bell stamp.
2) Serial number information including any of the following as they appear. Serial number on the bell, serial number on the back of the body (often partially covered up by the low Eb guard post, body number (under the low D key)
Below is a list of production batches which should help to outline the transition from the Radio Improved to the Balanced Action, as well as production batches in which Late Radio / Dorsey horns have been observed.
For the purpose of initial identification, the following two classifications are used:
1) Late Radio - any left bell-key horn produced after the introduction of the Balanced Action model, which has the words "Radio Improved" stamped on the bell.
2) Dorsey - any left bell-key horn produced after the introduction of the Balanced Action model, which does NOT have the words "Radio Improved" stamped on the bell.
All comments below are a work in progress and will be updated as more information comes to light.
I am gathering information on Late Radio / Dorsey saxophones for a publication planned in the fall of 2017. Anyone with one of these horns who would be willing to help would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to gather information on any Selmer saxophone with left-hand bell keys and a serial number later that 20,500 as well as information on any Balanced Action horn within the production batches listed below.
Posts #2 and #3 below will be regularly updated to reflect progress.
Specifically, I am looking for the following information.
1) Photos of the saxophone, including overall front and back, a close-up of the octave mechanism and a closeup of the entire bell stamp.
2) Serial number information including any of the following as they appear. Serial number on the bell, serial number on the back of the body (often partially covered up by the low Eb guard post, body number (under the low D key)
Below is a list of production batches which should help to outline the transition from the Radio Improved to the Balanced Action, as well as production batches in which Late Radio / Dorsey horns have been observed.
For the purpose of initial identification, the following two classifications are used:
1) Late Radio - any left bell-key horn produced after the introduction of the Balanced Action model, which has the words "Radio Improved" stamped on the bell.
2) Dorsey - any left bell-key horn produced after the introduction of the Balanced Action model, which does NOT have the words "Radio Improved" stamped on the bell.
All comments below are a work in progress and will be updated as more information comes to light.
