Selmer Radio Improved Tenor Saxophone 19,xxx
1934 19,xxx Selmer Radio Improved tenor saxophone. Selmer made fewer Radio Improved saxophones than any other model, and they come up for sale very rarely. In fact, Selmer made around 100 Mark VI's for every Radio Improved saxophone! This one was owned for decades by a now retired band director.
This sax is in great shape. It was relacquered at some point in its life (as nearly all RI's are), but the engraving is still crisp and clear. You can see some remnants from the relacquer job, specifically some streaking underneath the reapplied lacquer. The body is similarly in great shape, and it looks like it's never seen a ton of playing time. This is a horn that is in very good condition for its age. My repairman straightened the bell flare, but that's about all this horn needed. He also regulated and replaced some pads. The sax comes in an older case (perhaps original, but there's not a Selmer logo) that is in good condition.
This is a wonderful playing horn, with a huge, lush and colorful sound. It was recently evaluated by a local pro jazz musician whose main horn is a Radio Improved. He was very impressed with this one. He was surprised by the great condition of the horn as well as the tonal color, which he said was more expressive than his. So if you're looking for a Radio Improved tenor, this is the one!
