[Henblower]

I have been offered this 1950 or, regarding Douglas Pipher's improved list, 1951 Selmer Paris Super (Balanced) Action Tenor. The shop owner says he thinks it's original lacquer and engraving, but I'm not sure and need your advice. Thanks for looking.

 

[Saxaholic]

Based on the pictures, my initial thoughts are that it's original. The fine lines in the engraving seem all present and "connected" with no gaps where a buffing wheel might have taken them out. The guard feet aren't clear but appear relatively sharp, which is good. Scroll work appears sharp on the connections. Obviously, you should have an expert inspect it in person, but based on these pictures it looks good to my eyes.

I'm certainly not the worlds pre-eminent expert on original lacquer, but based on this it looks like it should be. Maybe Jaice Dumars will see and comment; engraving wise he could immediately tell you. He's the only one I would trust with a "final word" on originality.

- Saxaholic

 

[pontius]

I would not suspect it was redone judging by the engraving crispness but the lacquer wear pattern looks a bit unusual to me. Not sure what the means if anything.

 

[Henblower]

Yes, Pontius, I was wondering about the same thing.

 

[Tranechaser]

It’s hard to tell with the limited pics and the lighting, but I don’t see anything that is suspicious from the pics posted above.

The real question though - how does it play?

 

[Henblower]

Can't tell, Tranechaser, because up to now I only know it from the pics. Wanted to hear your thoughts about this one before having it shipped on trial.

 

[Grumps]

"I think it's original" is no guarantee.

 

[Tenor Mattness]

The real question though - how does it play?

Nah, the real question is how much! 🙂

 

[Henblower]

You are right there, Grumps, and the price really depends on whether it is original lacquer or not.

 

[Henblower]

Tenor Mattnes, provided it's original lacquer the real question will be what it sounds like when or better if I hold it in my hands. Sound matters.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Based on the crispness of the engraving I would think it's original. But what does that really matter. I mean if its a great player and it was re-lacquered ten times so what, if the price is right go for it.

Just an FYI. Like the Cigar Cutter, the Super Balanced Action misnomer has been around so long that it can't be called anything else anymore. However, Selmer only marketed it as the Super Action.

 

[MDWade]

It looks amazing with a nice mix of historical wear on the horn. I hope it sounds great. Good luck.

 

[1saxman]

To me it's a multi-faceted question. #1, is the engraving original? If not, was the sax re-lacquered prior to the engraving? I am not a student of the Balanced Action and Super Action so the engraving just looks odd to me. So I didn't concentrate on the engraving - I was looking everywhere else for evidence of buffing after the original polishing. Don't forget, every lacquered or plated sax (with a glossy finish) is buffed before lacquering/plating. Others may be media-blasted to get the matte appearance. Anyway, about the only things visible are the 'chain-link' trim and the Selmer logo/address area. As near as I can tell, it has not been buffed since manufacture. This would indicate that the engraving was done at some time after the original lacquer was applied. Someone who has studied the saxes of this period will have to judge if that is Selmer engraving from the correct period.
So that's the engineering and legal boiler plate. To me, the sax looks gorgeous and I would definitely love to try it out. I think anybody getting it will be glad they did.

 

[jgreiner]

Looks original to me. I believe it's the correct hue/color and looks to be worn (and not worn) in the appropriate places.

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

The pictures kinda suck. What's with the dark artsy background? Based on what's visible, that engraving looks sharp. It looks like the correct color if my eyes don't deceive me, a ever so slight greenish tint. I vote original.

 

[notes_norton]

Unless it was never overhauled between 1951 and 1980 there is a 99% chance it's a relaq.

It was standard to relaq horns when they were overhauled before then. It just came with the job.

Notes

 

[Watsonp143]

The scrolling on the bands looks very good. It's hard to get that look after re-plating.....look under the palm keys and key guards. If they are shiny it might be re-done. I don't think the undersides of keys and key guards were plated. It looks great.

 

[LiAm84]

Wow, you really find the nicest horns Henblower. Looks fantastic.

 

[Enthusiast65]

Correct coppery colour for N American lacquer (I own one of the same year). Suspect it was engraved in N America rather than Europe, which looks sharp.

 

[Henblower]

Since the neck is not numbered, Enthusiast65, this would mean the neck came from a European SBA, right? Or were there SBA that were assembled and engraved in N America that did not have a numbered neck?