Saxophones Just bought a backup alto

Pete Thomas · May 7, 2014

It's about time I bought another alto, it's an early Selmer SBA. It's a bit brighter than the old Buescher 400 TH & C. Soundfiles to come soon, probably after Stephen Howard has fettled it.

trimmy · May 7, 2014

Nice very nice 🙂

alto andy · May 7, 2014

That looks in great condition I have never tried one before but I tried the cigar cutter and it was beautiful . I think a lot of people prefer it to the mark 6

Pete Thomas · May 7, 2014

It's in good nick - a relacquer no doubt but that doesn't bother me.

jbtsax · May 7, 2014

Sweet. My silver plated SBA alto is from 1950 and I love it. In fact I sold my VI because I didn't play it anymore after I found the SBA in a pawn shop and restored it. The shop owner was asking $75 for it and I talked him down to $50 because it was all black and smelly with rotting pads. And yes I can sleep at night since I rescued it and gave it a good home. 🙂

Ads · May 7, 2014

Not played an SBA Alto but the Tenor is superb , my Question is , if an SBA is the backup , what`s the main Alto ???? ..

alto andy · May 7, 2014

I was wondering that lucky to have two great horns 🙂

Ads · May 7, 2014

jbtsax said:
it was all black and smelly with rotting pads. 🙂

I know someone with a Cat like that

kevgermany · May 7, 2014

Ads said:
I know someone with a Cat like that

I hope he's not a member here.

Greg Strange · May 8, 2014

Lovely horn Pete...

Saying a Selmer (Paris) Super Balanced Action (or more correct name Super Action) alto is your back-up is bit like saying this is my "around town hack" :rofl:

Greg S.

secondhandsaxes · May 8, 2014

great saxophone,and i hope you got it for a great price...
when you say you got it for a "back-up horn",does that mean you only own 2 alto's now?
cheers,philip from down-under...

Ads · May 8, 2014

Greg Strange said:
Lovely horn Pete...

Saying a Selmer (Paris) Super Balanced Action (or more correct name Super Action) alto is your back-up is bit like saying this is my "around town hack" .

This was my point ! . I`d hate to think what the main horn is .. There must be car stickers for this " My Spare horn is a MkVI " . LOL

Where Does the TH&C fit in then - Spare backup horn :sax:

gladsaxisme · May 10, 2014

Ads said:
Where Does the TH&C fit in then - Spare backup horn

I think that is the number one horn and I believe they are superb, certainly on my must have one someday list ...John

Ads · May 11, 2014

They are Superb but it`s still a bit like backing up a Yam 61 or Yani 900 with a MkVI . I`d say the SBA to a TH&C was more of a different option than a backup ....... Like owning a Cannonball Albright and a 6M ... a Martin and a YAS21 etc .

gladsaxisme · May 11, 2014

Ads said:
They are Superb but it`s still a bit like backing up a Yam 61 or Yani 900 with a MkVI . I`d say the SBA to a TH&C was more of a different option than a backup ....... Like owning a Cannonball Albright and a 6M ... a Martin and a YAS21 etc .

I think if you play at Pete's standard your back up needs to be every bit as good as your main horn,I'm not sure from your comment if you are saying that the Selmer would be a better horn than theTH&C I think that the proof of that pudding will be in the eating and if Pete loves it enough to keep it and perhaps swop places,who knows,either way I'm sure Pete is entitled to a bit of GAS every now and then ......John

gladsaxisme · May 11, 2014

jbtsax said:
Sweet. My silver plated SBA alto is from 1950 and I love it. In fact I sold my VI because I didn't play it anymore after I found the SBA in a pawn shop and restored it. The shop owner was asking $75 for it and I talked him down to $50 because it was all black and smelly with rotting pads. And yes I can sleep at night since I rescued it and gave it a good home. 🙂

How come I never find bargains like this 🙁 ......John