1937 23,xxx Selmer Balanced Action Tenor Saxophone, Video, Fresh Overhaul
1937 Selmer Balanced Action tenor saxophone, s/n 23385. I recently acquired this saxophone from the family of the original owner, who was a professional saxophonist. I sent the sax out to Mike Livingston for a mechanical overhaul, who does amazing overhaul work. Mike installed domed rivetless metal resonators, similar in form to what this sax originally came with. The sax feels tight and locked in in every register. The low range speaks very easily, a great mark of his exacting detail during this overhaul. The neck is original to the horn and has never been bent down.
This is a stunning horn. Its voice is dark and complex, and it takes on air incredibly easily. Selmer's attempt to recreate this 1936 Balanced Action with their Reference 36 doesn't do these older horns justice. There is tonal expression that modern horns can't match. Nothing against the Reference 36 which is a great horn, but it's nothing like an early Balanced Action. My advice: save thousands and buy the real thing.
