1947 Selmer Super Balanced Action alto saxophone, serial number 37083. Here’s a vintage Selmer with a unique history. It was originally purchased in France from an American WWII veteran and later brought back to the States after the war.

The sax is in excellent condition for a horn that is nearly 80 years old. I don’t see any dent work in the bell or bow, and the body tube also looks great. I don’t believe the sax has its original lacquer, but the engraving is still crisp, and the tone holes look excellent.

This sax received a full mechanical overhaul in 2020 from Eric Beach, who I consider to be one of the best techs in the business. He uses top-of-the-line materials, including Pisoni Pro pads, which should last a very long time. The sax was fitted with rivetless metal domed resonators, similar in proportion to what this horn would have originally had. Eric’s key fitting is truly outstanding and is what sets his overhauls apart. Even six years later, the action feels tight and crisp, arguably better than the day it left the factory. The pads are still in like-new condition and are sealing very well.

One unusual detail, and part of what gives this sax its character, is that the Selmer logo on the bell is not visible. It is impossible to know exactly why. It may have simply been lightly stamped at the factory, or it may have been intentionally removed at some point in its early life. Given that this sax was purchased in France from an American WWII veteran and then brought back to the States after the war, one possible explanation is that the logo was removed to make it less obvious that he was bringing home a professional Selmer instrument. Whatever the reason, the rest of the engraving remains crisp, and to me it adds another interesting layer to the history of this horn.

I received this sax from a longtime customer who keeps his saxophones in top playing condition. He added cork key risers to the palm keys. I typically take key risers off before selling saxophones, but these feel great and are well proportioned. For me, the palm key placement on SBA altos feels a little too close to the body of the horn, so these moderately built-up risers give the palm keys a very natural feel, more in line with a Mark VI or Supreme.

SBA altos are incredibly expressive horns. There is a sweetness to the tone quality that you don’t get in more modern horns, but they still have enough power to project above a sax section or combo. The response is very adaptive and flexible to your input. Selmer made far fewer Super Balanced Actions than Mark VIs, so you do not see SBA altos for sale nearly as often.