1954 55,xxx Selmer Super Balanced Action Tenor Saxophone, Video, Overhaul
1954 Selmer Super Balanced Action (SBA) tenor saxophone, s/n 55508. Here's a very late SBA tenor sax which was one of the very last few made of this model. Some serial number guides will put this serial number within Mark VI production timelines. The sax has the typical engraving pattern found on early Mark VI's.
This sax arrived with an old coat of lacquer that likely wasn't original. The engraving was somewhat faded, so I had it recut in the original pattern. The sax was then stripped of its lacquer and received a full mechanical overhaul from Eric Beach. Eric's work is top notch. He uses top of the line materials including Pisoni Pro pads, which could last decades with proper care. Eric's key fitting is superb, and the horn's action feels like it could be brand new, despite being 70 years old. The neck is original to the sax and has a matching serial number.
This feels like a great SBA. It has a dark, lush, complex sound but still can fill up any room when played. It's easy to get around in all registers, and the altissimo pops out with ease.
