Here is a beautiful original lacquer Selmer Balanced Action alto from 1936. It has a sweet, warm, lyrical tone and plays fairly well on older pads, but will need a repad soon. It is priced low so that you get it for a great price and can spend the money on pads before too long. This is on consignment for the daughter of the long-time owner who died at age 97. He took great care of it over all that time, so that it has the majority of its original lacquer intact at this point. The only exception is that the low C guard was resoldered (these often pop off) and there is new lacquer overspray and a little buffing on the two spots where the guard feet were soldered back on. Other repairs include a resoldered neck tenon, Eb guard foot, and that none of the guards have the original screws. I can help you replace those with correct screws that match the original ones exactly if you want. None of this affects anything playing wise, but it saves you some money on the horn for not much lost in condition.
The Balanced Action is probably the most beautiful saxophone that Selmer ever produced, with extensive engraving including the little lake scene on the bell. The early ones like this have the individual bell key guards also, which I love. This one has just enough lacquer wear to make me unafraid to actually play it and take it out, versus a near mint one that you may feel like you have to handle with kid gloves. The original neck is in good shape, not pulled down or dented. I don't see any dents or dings on the horn or signs of past dent work.
As you probably know, the Balanced Action is the model that first introduced 'modern' keywork to the saxophone, so much so that every modern saxophone reproduces its basic keywork design. To me, that makes it intrinsically cool, and it also makes it more familiarly comfortable to play than any other horn of its time period. And the 30's Selmer altos have a combination of sweetness, warmth, and a centered lyrical core that is pretty much the best that a Selmer alto ever has sounded judged purely on tone. I play a BA tenor much like this, as does my assistant. They are just so nice to listen to, and this one is certainly no exception, and will be even better overhauled. If you want a gorgeous and special vintage Selmer for around the price of a Yamaha (which to me is nuts, but the market doesn't always make sense), that's what this is! Only one available.
