1936 Selmer Balanced Action Tenor Saxophone, Just Serviced, Video
1936 Selmer Balanced Action tenor saxophone, s/n 21914. Here is an early Balanced Action tenor saxophone that was made in the first year of this model's production. The sax previously received an overhaul from PM Woodwind Repair using white roo pads and Beason custom brass resonators. The pads are still in excellent condition and the action feels great, as you'd expect with a high quality overhaul. The sax has an old coat of lacquer, which at some point was refinished. The sax comes in a vintage Selmer case which is in good condition but likely not original. I was told by the previous owner that the engraved picture on the bell is of the Staten Island lighthouse, but I am not sure about this. If anyone has information about this engraving pattern, I'd love to know more!
Selmer's attempt to recreate this 1936 Balanced Action with their Reference 36 doesn't do these older horns justice. There is tonal expression that modern horns can't match. Nothing against the Reference 36 which is a great horn, but it's nothing like a 1936 BA. My advice: save thousands and buy the real thing.
This sax was just serviced by my tech prior to sale, and feels locked in from top to bottom. Given the condition of the pads, this horn will need nothing for a long time.
