Selmer ‘Super’ Baritone

Condition:

This Sax is a commission sale for the Music Department at Sheffield University. This beautiful old sax has been played well over its life and recently supported student’s studies at the university. It’s been worked hard but very well looked after. There are a few small dings, but no evidence on any major past repairs and nothing that affects the playing of the sax. It has developed a beautiful patina to the original lacquer that has worn off in the usual places. At some point the sax has had a new modified G sharp touch piece added, which makes the left hand table keys feel more comfortable to play. Other than that, it is all original.

This type 2 Selmer Super Sax Baritone is a very interesting, and rare beast indeed.

It is one of 91 manufactured and one of only 37 which were shipped to Selmer London.

At this time, engraving, lacquer and set-up were done in London, making them unique from other SSS Baritones.

Also, this instrument was part of the last pre-Radio Improved production batch. Four of these were shipped to Selmer London (3 in February and 1 in April.)

This instrument is the one which was shipped in April 1934, making it the last Pre-RI Baritone to be shipped to Selmer London.

In addition, this same shipment included the only Type 3 RI Baritone to be shipped to London.

This shipment included the following:

1 SSS Cigar-Cutter Tenor

4 SSS RI Tenors

1 SSS Type 2 Baritone (#18788)

1 SSS Type 3 RI Baritone. (#18972)

A huge thanks to our friend, Selmer historian, Douglas Phipher for helping us out with such detailed information! 

The sound out of this sax is immense! You can knock walls down with the low end, it has elements of an old 1920’s bass sax in the core sound – warm, round and thick but with more punch. These early Selmers have a tone which feels like the perfect mix of big fat conn and more focussed Selmer to their core. The saxes tuning is superb and ergonomically it’s a breeze to play. Recently overhauled its good to go and working exactly as it should. Being just down to low Bb, the sax is light and feels like a big tenor to play. A fantastic collectors horn but also perfect for a serious player, this makes a great jazz horn and gives the 12M’s a real run for their money.

This is a simply wonderful, rare and exciting instrument – it makes us want to play much more baritone!