[Graysax]

I have a Selmer Radio Improved Tenor in the shop that I was working on a complete mechanical overhaul on, and the serial number on the bell is 19xxx.

While I was working on it I noticed an additional serial number on the body - just below the Low D tone hole (just above the bow) - which was 13xxx

Now, I have seen multiple serial numbers that always match on different parts - thats pretty common. These 2 different numbers only share the 1st of the 5 digits (the number 1) - the other four are nothing alike - so it's not a typo.

Is the simplest answer the most probable - where sometime in this sax's life somebody added a Radio Improved Bell to an earlier horn (probably a super)?

Anybody have a different logical explanation?

Charlie

 

[Chris Peryagh]

One's the factory number (on the body under the E tonehole) and one's the serial number (on the bell along with the maker's stamp) - they did pretty much the same thing with the Selmer Adolphes although they had the 3-digit serial number for Sax instruments on the bell and the 5-figure one on the body was Selmer's numbering system.

 

[dzve]

I have a radio improved tenor with those numbers in just the same places, 13 XXX on the body below the D tone hole & 19 XXX on the bell...

 

[Graysax]

One's the factory number (on the body under the E tonehole) and one's the serial number (on the bell along with the maker's stamp) - they did pretty much the same thing with the Selmer Adolphes although they had the 3-digit serial number for Sax instruments on the bell and the 5-figure one on the body was Selmer's numbering system.

Thanks guys - I don't see many Radio Improved saxes in the shop so this solves that mystery.

@Chris - mine was most certainly under the D tone hole - Is yours really between the D and E? That seems weird.

 

[jicaino]

under the D tonehole almost hidden by the bow/body trim ring. Balanced Actions also have this. I've heard that's because selmer didn't manufactured the main bodies at that time.

 

[Graysax]

under the D tonehole almost hidden by the bow/body trim ring. Balanced Actions also have this. I've heard that's because selmer didn't manufactured the main bodies at that time.

very interesting - anybody know if there is merit to this? If they didn't .... who did?

 

[jicaino]

rumor says conn

 

[shmuelyosef]

Are you suggesting there is a possibility that Conn actually manufactured the BA bodies?

...that's almost as ridiculous as suggesting the Statue of Liberty was "Made in France"

 

[Graysax]

Are you suggesting there is a possibility that Conn actually manufactured the BA bodies?

...that's almost as ridiculous as suggesting the Statue of Liberty was "Made in France"

LOL - alright - sounds to me we have a new rumor to investigate!!

 

[dzve]

Really? Is this realted to the different numbers on the bell brace on some selmers?

 

[jicaino]

bell braces serialing, not related.

I can confirm that a New Wonder has the exact same dimentions as a Radio Improved and Balanced Action main bodies. I mean, EXACT.

one has to wonder... those numbers ain't a part number, they arent't the same in all them horns. It's not a factory number either, they're not correlated as the serial in instruments progresses.

 

[dzve]

I have to say my radio improved does play a lot like a conn in many ways......I really love it!

 

[Graysax]

bell braces serialing, not related.

I can confirm that a New Wonder has the exact same dimentions as a Radio Improved and Balanced Action main bodies. I mean, EXACT.

one has to wonder... those numbers ain't a part number, they arent't the same in all them horns. It's not a factory number either, they're not correlated as the serial in instruments progresses.

Are we talking tone hole size and placement as well?

 

[jicaino]

sizing, placement, layout, sheet metal alloy (destructive material testing) and gage. Dead on, the same main body except for the RTH feature.

 

[Rennie]

Are you suggesting there is a possibility that Conn actually manufactured the BA bodies?

...that's almost as ridiculous as suggesting the Statue of Liberty was "Made in France"

I'm sure you weren't joking, but here it is:

The Statue was made by French sculptor Bartholdi and -

The statue was constructed in France, shipped overseas in crates, and assembled on the completed pedestal on what was then called Bedloe's Island.

 

[Chris Peryagh]

@Chris - mine was most certainly under the D tone hole - Is yours really between the D and E? That seems weird.

It's stamped in between the RH3 tonehole and the body to bow joint - stamped just below the lowest tonehole on the body section where the note E issues from. The low D tonehole is on the bow itself.

 

[jicaino]

It's stamped in between the RH3 tonehole and the body to bow joint - stamped just below the lowest tonehole on the body section where the note E issues from. The low D tonehole is on the bow itself.

yeah, the lowest tonehole in the body section where the E issues from. Most of us calls that the D tone hole, but we're talking about the same hole :mrgreen:

 

[Graysax]

It's stamped in between the RH3 tonehole and the body to bow joint - stamped just below the lowest tonehole on the body section where the note E issues from. The low D tonehole is on the bow itself.

Got it - thanks.

 

[Chris Peryagh]

...that's almost as ridiculous as suggesting the Statue of Liberty was "Made in France"

Didn't you notice the 'Made in France' stamp on her back just above the serial number?

 

[Chris Peryagh]

I think the reason for the two different numbers on the earlier Selmers (up to BA) is mentioned on Saxpics.