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Selmer Radio Improved Alto American Engraved! 20xxx

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    The Selmer Radio Improved model was only made for a couple of years, and the total number of Radio Improved saxophones of all sizes is somewhere around 2250 total horns. To give you a sense of the comparative rarity, there are about 100 Selmer Mark VI’s for every 1 Radio Improved. They are special for a number of reasons – the keywork is more modern than the earlier Selmers, like the New Largebore, but the neck design is very similar to a Balanced Action. The tone on the altos tends to be similar to an early BA alto, though somewhat bigger and somewhat more spread. Think Desmond on Take Five for a good reference point on tonal possibilities.

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      The Selmer Radio Improved model was only made for a couple of years, and the total number of Radio Improved saxophones of all sizes is somewhere around 2250 total horns. To give you a sense of the comparative rarity, there are about 100 Selmer Mark VI’s for every 1 Radio Improved. They are special for a number of reasons – the keywork is more modern than the earlier Selmers, like the New Largebore, but the neck design is very similar to a Balanced Action. The tone on the altos tends to be similar to an early BA alto, though somewhat bigger and somewhat more spread. Think Desmond on Take Five for a good reference point on tonal possibilities.

      So if you are looking for a Selmer core tone, but you are wanting a bigger, more spread, lush tone, then you will find yourself looking for a New Largebore, Super, or Radio Improved. Since I play a BA myself, I naturally also gravitate towards these slightly older Selmers. They are phenomenal horns. The body tube tends to be very alive and resonant even at lower volumes, and the dark, velvety spread tone also leans in that direction. Lots of modern players are seeking out these horns, and you can look around online to find many other takes on what they can do.

      This particular horn has American engraving. American-engraved RI altos are very rare, with the majority of RI’s seeming to be either Euro or British engraved and assembled. This horn is a 50’s Selmer factory relacquer, and the old pads that it came with are 50’s Selmer pads as well. The lacquer is really nice-looking and has aged just like a 5-digit VI alto from the same era would. The engraving is still nice and clear, and the horn looks and feels good mechanically. It is currently getting an overhaul with domed metal Selmer-style resonators, but if you catch this soon, you could pick your resonator. The photos are in as-found condition, and it will look a bit better after it is all cleaned up and overhauled.

      Because I really am obsessive about the quality of the horns I sell, you can be sure that this will come to you in top playing condition, needing nothing, with all pads, corks, and felts replaced by a good tech. After trying lots and lots of people, I only use techs who are really really good, because that is such a big factor in the horn ending up playing its best.

      Cosmetically, there is really not much to mention on this horn. The original neck is beautiful and has never been damaged at all. The body tube, bow and bell flare all look great as well. I don’t think that this horn has ever had any dents, dings or resolders at all. It’s super-clean and a great value in a vintage Selmer.

      Tonally, the RI/BA alto tone is just so gorgeous – it has that delicate, focused Selmer core, but it is more warm, spread, and lush than any modern horn. And it is hard to overestimate how fun it is to play a horn that is so alive and resonant under the fingers. If you were going to buy one alto in this price range to be your only alto to play a wide range of music on, and you like the Selmer sound, I don’t think you could beat this for the price (or even at a higher price). It’s cheaper because of the relacquer, but it is the best possible, least-invasive kind of relacquer that there is, so really, it’s a great value. This is a turn-key purchase for a beautiful, rare, and sweet sounding vintage Selmer. This horn should make someone very happy.

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