Selmer Radio Improved Alto Saxophone-Made 1935-Rare! Beautiful Condition! Wow!

Description

Just Plain Wow!
Selmer
Radio Improved
Alto Saxophone
20XXX
Made 1935
Fantastic Condition
with Original Trepac Case
Very Rare Saxophone Only 2000 Made!
Finding a Selmer Radio Improved saxophone in this condition so extremely rare that it might only be once in a lifetime you find something like this!
This beautiful great condition Selmer alto belonged to a dear friend and customer of mine who I've known for almost 50 years. He was a top NY doubler playing with all the greats including Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, The Radio City Orchestra, multiple Broadway Shows as well as symphony orchestra playing. He passed away recently and I'm helping with the liquidation of his gear to help the family. The proceeds from this sale are to help the family.
Here we have a Selmer Radio Improved Alto Saxophone #20XXX. Made in 1935 in Paris. Very rare since probably under 2,000 were made. This model only lasted from 1934 to 1935 and then was discontinued. The concept was to make an instrument with a very pure and direct tone for picking up by microphone for broadcasts on the radio. It indeed has that very centered sound and so much color and sweetness as well. I don't think I've ever heard a sweeter sound on saxophone. Many other models give a more dark and fluffy tone in contrast. I would call the Radio Improved a bridge between a classical tone and a jazzy tone making it versatile in either genre.
As far as we can find out from past photos and memorabilia this saxophone was being played since around 1945. It was his pride and joy. In fact it was repadded in my shop only about 6 or 7 years ago and barely picked up after that. The pads are still in excellent condition although the low D and the G# are so sticky that I intent to replace these pads when I'm back in the shop on Wednesday July 29. So it will be in superb playing condition by then.
A few things to note which make this horn special. The owner had rings soldered in the lowest tone holes to even out and raise the pitch. This is often a problem with older horns when attempting to play them with modern tuning. Due to this modification the horn plays beautifully in tune at A=440.
The lacquer appears to be about 95% perfect. There are some scuffs, scratches and marks from previous repairs but all very small. Someone had glued a couple of felts onto the body with damaged the lacquer when these were removed. All in all the condition is very clean, mechanically perfect and in excellent adjustment.
The original trepac case is included which is also in great condition on the inside and the zipper works perfectly on both the left and right. There are scuff marks on the outside of the case.
A mouthpiece is not included but I will have several available to purchase separately. The buyer of this saxophone can get a big discount on any mouthpiece as a package deal.
All in all a super great saxophone for the player or collector.
Because of the size and weight of the package there will be no international shipping,
More photos on request and feel free to contact me if you have a question.
Thanks for looking!