[LiAm84]

I just acquired this really beautiful tenor. I originally thought it was a 'Selmer Super Sax' - Cigar Cutter model as it's serial number is 16xxx but now I'm not so sure. Is it perhaps an earlier model as it doesn't have 'SSS' engraved on the bell and it has quite a strange octave mechanism and top F key mechanism.
It features very elaborate engraving and I think it might be gold plated although I am not sure about that because it looks mostly silver plated but with a slightly golden tinge in places.

Also does the crook octave mechanism look like it is slightly bent out of shape? It doesn't really follow the contour of the crook like on my BA or in the pictures I've seen of other early Selmer crooks.

Any info on the crook, which model this is, and if it is gold or silver plated much appreciated??

 

[LiAm84]

A few more pics of the engraving to drool over:

 

[LiAm84]

 

[William Bua]

That is a gold plated, specially engraved SSS. It has the neck reciever that the SSS and later models had. Also note the two piece high F. That is a very nice horn. It has a front high F which some of the earlier ones don't. May I ask what you paid? I would love to own one of that vintage.

 

[mike_s]

wow, gorgeous horn, i would jsut call it a super... the bew large bore's genenrally have the earlier style neck receiver. i haev seen a lot fo variation in the octave mechanism on these horns, that is the earlier style octave mechanism but the newer style neck receiver...

that is one of the prettiest tenor's i have even seen an i agree with bill bua that the horn ids likely gold plated as the gold plated ones were th eones with the fancy engraving.

 

[dzve]

I have two SSS super tenors, one a radio improved. I had previously owned a 13 XXX super or lragebore. Yours is stunning & I'm guessing it might be gold plate. The best horn that I owned is the 18 XXX readio improved. Its actually got a bigger sound than any other tenor I have ever played.............

 

[LiAm84]

Thanks very much for the info.
Yes, I am really over the moon with this one, especially as the US engraved horns seldom appear over here in the UK. I probably overpaid for a pre-BA Selmer but I really liked all the engraving work and love the sound it makes.

 

[LiAm84]

Any ideas on the shape of the crook and also why no 'SSS' stamp??

 

[divingdog]

It looks very beautiful & look very cool !! Even you overpaid, it is worthy.

 

[SiB0717]

Any ideas on the shape of the crook and also why no 'SSS' stamp??

I've a similar neck on my SBA and I think that only the octave mechanism has been bent a little. Overall shape looks the same, leaning a little towards the player, as it were.

 

[tomonsax]

Any ideas on the shape of the crook and also why no 'SSS' stamp??

with that engraving i suppose there isn't any space for the SSS
nice horn- i also have a gold plated cigar cutter tenor, but the engraving isn't have as nice....enjoy!

 

[Steve Stockham]

That is one seriously beautiful horn! There's something about those SSS horns that just jumps out at you and yours is one of the nicest I've seen! That engraving is something else!!

 

[LiAm84]

Thanks all. I'm planning to take it to my tech who is hopefully going to sort a couple of leaks and also set the action up (I think it's a bit to low at the moment). I'll post a clip when I get it back.

 

[dzve]

The SSS model starts around 17 XXX its a different horn, very different sound, different high F key,like the balanced action high F. I dont think they ever did such ornate engraving on the SSS super or radio improved horns that I have ever seen.Yours is outstanding!

 

[Dave Dolson]

My Cigar Cutter alto (16)xx) has that same style of engraving on gold plate, as shown in the photos in this thread.. DAVE

 

[LiAm84]

The SSS model starts around 17 XXX its a different horn, very different sound, different high F key,like the balanced action high F.

How do you find the SSS models differ in sound to the earlier super/cigar horns?

 

[dzve]

They seem to project very well, the high F key is the same looking as a more modern sax. I have now a 19 XXX & a 17 XXX that are great. I had a a 13 XXX that was fine but seemed a different sax in terms of sound. I noticed the 19 XXX neck is quite long & doesnt fit any other selmer I own.........I think that particular neck is just great.

 

[sumitsagaonkar]

Wow thats a nice horn never seen such a beutiful engraving on any SSS models so far. I have a silver plated SSS alto saxophone and it sound really good, but i am looking to overhaul it as it needs some pads to be replaced can you please tell me the set of pads your technician uses to replace few worn out pads from your horn.I would really appreciate that.Thank you.

 

[rustyreed]

Hi Liam54. You have a gold plated Super model,Gorgeus engraving. The gold plated ones had this ornate engraving. They have a big, full sound. Zoot played a gold lacquered one, and no sax player sounded as big as him IMHO. I helped organize a concert for him & I sat right in front of him & he killed me.I have a 26xxx BA and love it. Has a big sound, but not like a Super.Congrats on such a beautiful horn.DON,T SELL IT! Rustyreed.

 

[LiAm84]

I'm finally getting this horn back from the repair man tomorrow (or perhaps Tuesday if he hasn't finished it).
It really needed setting up properly. It had many leaks and was quite hard work to play so I'm excited to get it back and see how it plays now.
Demo to follow hopefully.