1936 Selmer Balanced Action Tenor Saxophone, Video

1936 Selmer Balanced Action tenor saxophone, s/n 22174. Here's an early Balanced Action tenor, made in the first year of production. This is a beautiful example. The engraving is clear and crisp. I can't say for certain whether or not the lacquer is original, but given its age, I'm guessing that it's not original lacquer. The pads are in excellent condition with a lot of life left. My repairman just serviced the horn. He regulated the pads and tightened up the spring action, which was a bit loose for my taste. The result is fantastic, and the horn plays easily in all registers with a soulfoul voice. 

This is a great sounding horn. 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 an early Balanced Action. My advice: save thousands and buy the real thing.