Vintage Saxophones
When it comes to saxophones the term "vintage" is not specific, but is generally understood to mean instruments manufactured between the 1920s and the 1970s. This covers many decades during which rapid saxophone development was taking place and gives us some very different and interesting instruments. Some of the best known brands of these years include Selmer, Conn, Martin and Buescher, and these companies were each keenly pushing the boundaries of design and engineering on this relatively recently invented instrument in order to gain an advantage over their rivals.
Selmer Paris
Selmer Paris have a long history of which they are justifiably proud and describe in full on their own website, but the brief highlights are:
1885 - Henri Selmer founded the company making woodwind instrument accessories
1922 - First Selmer sax launched, called the Modèle 22
1929 - Selmer Paris acquires the Adolphe Sax workshops
1935 - Selmer launch their Balanced Action sax, the prototype for the modern saxophone
1954 - The birth of the legendary Mark VI (developed alongside the legendary Marcel Mule), known for its rich tone and response
Selmer Paris are to this day one of the very best saxophone makers in the world with models including the Supreme and Reference series, still manufacturing their instruments in France.
Pre-Loved Instruments at Presto
Below you will see the vintage Selmer saxes that we currently have available. You can find full details of our Pre-Loved instrument offering here. We can help you sell or buy a variety of instruments, so please get in touch to find out more. Or click here to see all Pre-Loved instruments currently available to purchase.
The 'Balanced Action' saxophone is a legendary and historically significant instrument, widely recognised for revolutionising saxophone ergonomics and tone. The majority of changes built into it have been kept to this day.
The keywork was entirely redesigned and the low B and Bb keys were moved to the right hand side of the bell which allowed for easier operation of the keywork. With this saxophone, there was a return to the initial spirit of the Selmer sound, these improvements made it possible for Selmer to become a real competitor for the American saxophones of the time.
The serial number of this pre-loved model dates it to 1936. This saxophone has been through our workshop and has received a full service and re-pad. There is some deterioration of the lacquer, but it plays very well. There is a Brilhart Tonalin mouthpiece in the case, although the beak is in a worn condition. This saxophone comes with its original case.
An opportunity to own a rare piece of saxophone history!
The Selmer 'Radio Improved' saxophone was a key transitional model in the Selmer Super Sax line. It was named for its quiet octave key system for better radio broadcasting. The Radio Improved model had a relatively short run from 1934 to 1935, only around 1100 of these were made, of which just over 300 made it to the UK.
It offers the classic, rich Selmer sound with fantastic projection and is considered a great player's instrument, ideal for jazz.
This instrument benefits from a full service and re-pad with Roo pad Sax Gourmet pads and Maestro Star Classic resonators. The lacquer is in unusually good condition. It is supplied with two Brillhart mouthpieces (Dreamline and Tonalin) and is in its original case.
