[A Greene]

I messing around with E-Bay and found this sax:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SELMER-PAR...sh=item365d766254:g:p-8AAOSwBi5eSDth&LH_BIN=1

Too much for me but might be THE HORN for a SOTW member. I think it's a Dorsey Model

 

[1saxman]

Too muchee $$$.

 

[Kritavi]

That looks like a more modern neck.

 

[jgreiner]

Don't think so. I don't believe the Dorsey's had the "Radio Improved" stamp on the bell (this one does). Also has the typical Super/RI simple "cage" C and Eb key guards.....since he doesn't show a pic of the other side of the bell, I'm assuming the B/Bb cage is the same. The Dorsey's (even the earliest ones I believe) had the Balanced Action type C, Eb and B/Bb type cages. Kritavi is also correct.....wrong neck. Looks to be a VI neck.
Yes, it's a late serial # RI (mine is 20k) and very close to the Dorsey models, but again.......I say just a plain, stock RI.

 

[A Greene]

https://www.saxophone.org/museum/saxophones/model/53

 

[jgreiner]

https://www.saxophone.org/museum/saxophones/model/53

Well, I guess the ONLY difference between my RI and that "Dorsey" is the serial # is also on the back of the body tube. Other than that, mine is exactly the same. Calling a late RI a "series 1 Dorsey" is just not correct in my opinion. Again, the TRUE "Dorsey" models (there was never an official Selmer designation of such) have the B/A bell key guards and also started to have slight modifications done to the LH pinky table.

Oh and for whatever it's worth.......the guy I bought my RI from told me when his grandfather bought the horn, he went to the music store to pick it up but Jimmy Dorsey came in and took a bunch of horns to play. His was one of them and he had to wait a few days before JD brought them back. So I guess my RI is a pre-gen 1 Dorsey model with Jimmy's DNA.

 

[MDWade]

Dorsey’s vs RI’s

RI Unique Characteristics
-Radio Improved stamp on bell
-Serial number on bell plus alternative serial number on the body below the D key cup
-Wire key guards

Dorsey Unique Characteristics
-Balanced Action key guards
-Serial number and Patent number on rear of body above the Eb key cup
-# 2 on the neck tenon, below the Selmer insignia
-Balanced Action engraving on the bell with a sailboat on a lake

Shared Characteristics
-Left Hand Bell keys
-Left Hand pinky table
-SSS stamp on the bell
-Wire bell to body brace

 

[jgreiner]

Dorsey's vs RI's

RI Unique Characteristics
-Radio Improved stamp on bell
-Serial number on bell plus alternative serial number on the body below the D key cup
-Wire key guards

Dorsey Unique Characteristics
-Balanced Action key guards
-Serial number and Patent number on rear of body above the Eb key cup
-# 2 on the neck tenon, below the Selmer insignia
-Balanced Action engraving on the bell with a sailboat on a lake

Shared Characteristics
-Left Hand Bell keys
-Left Hand pinky table
-SSS stamp on the bell
-Wire bell to body brace

I concur with your assessment(s). May I ask what the serial is on your Dorsey? I believe they all fell into the 27-28k range, which would make them late '38-'39 horns. Also, is the LH pinky table the same on the Dorsey as your RI?

 

[greatlakeswinds]

FYI, that horn has been discussed in at least two other threads here. It was originally sold on the Goodwill site. The person who bought it, who apparently went completely out on a limb speculating on an expensive vintage horn that they have absolutely zero knowledge of, has been trying unsuccessfully to sell it on ebay every since.

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...on-Shopgoodwill&highlight=dorsey+shopgoodwill

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...up-with-this-BA&highlight=dorsey+shopgoodwill

 

[A Greene]

Thanks for the info. Missed these discussions.

FYI, that horn has been discussed in at least two other threads here. It was originally sold on the Goodwill site. The person who bought it, who apparently went completely out on a limb speculating on an expensive vintage horn that they have absolutely zero knowledge of, has been trying unsuccessfully to sell it on ebay every since.

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...on-Shopgoodwill&highlight=dorsey+shopgoodwill

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...up-with-this-BA&highlight=dorsey+shopgoodwill

 

[MDWade]

I concur with your assessment(s). May I ask what the serial is on your Dorsey? I believe they all fell into the 27-28k range, which would make them late '38-'39 horns. Also, is the LH pinky table the same on the Dorsey as your RI?

The LH pinky table is nearly identical except for the G sharp key. The RI G sharp key is a circle with a pearl while the same key on the Dorsey is a metal tab. The Dorsey is the silver horn in the photo. Serial # 28,5xx from 1939.

 

[jgreiner]

The LH pinky table is nearly identical except for the G sharp key. The RI G sharp key is a circle with a pearl while the same key on the Dorsey is a metal tab. The Dorsey is the silver horn in the photo. Serial # 28,5xx from 1939.

Thanks for that! Man, those are both gorgeous! Hopefully, the wife and I will be down in Arlington over Christmas for a couple of days. If so, I'll let you know and maybe I'll bring my RI on the trip and we can get together!

John

 

[MDWade]

Thanks for that! Man, those are both gorgeous! Hopefully, the wife and I will be down in Arlington over Christmas for a couple of days. If so, I'll let you know and maybe I'll bring my RI on the trip and we can get together!

John

You and the wife are welcome anytime. We'd love to have you over for some Texas BBQ and good jazz. Michael

 

[jgreiner]

You and the wife are welcome anytime. We'd love to have you over for some Texas BBQ and good jazz. Michael

Food?? Consider it done! ;-)