1935 Selmer Radio Improved Alto
There's not much to say here, the pictures do all the telling. However, I should make it clear that this was one of my all time top favorite altos I have rebuilt. This horn played ridiculously well, and felt perfect under the fingers.
This was a very big job, this relacquered horn had hinge tubes that were extremely worn out, some of the hinge rods were over .003" too small for their respective tubes due to excessive wear, and years of normal use, and I'm sure the relacquering didn't aid in this. I made four new rods, 7 key extensions, two cracks had to be silver soldered, 7 solder joints needed to be repaired, and all the blued needle springs needed to be replaced.
The horn is like new mechanically, and looks bad ass. Those white doe skin pads and the tenor madness domed resonators look so good.
I will miss this horn.
I received the following email from the owner of this horn two months after he picked it up:
There's not much to say here, the pictures do all the telling. However, I should make it clear that this was one of my all time top favorite altos I have rebuilt. This horn played ridiculously well, and felt perfect under the fingers.
This was a very big job, this relacquered horn had hinge tubes that were extremely worn out, some of the hinge rods were over .003" too small for their respective tubes due to excessive wear, and years of normal use, and I'm sure the relacquering didn't aid in this. I made four new rods, 7 key extensions, two cracks had to be silver soldered, 7 solder joints needed to be repaired, and all the blued needle springs needed to be replaced.
The horn is like new mechanically, and looks bad ass. Those white doe skin pads and the tenor madness domed resonators look so good.
I will miss this horn.
I received the following email from the owner of this horn two months after he picked it up:
"Carlo,
I've been playing my Radio Improved Alto a lot since I brought her home six weeks ago and thought it would be a good time to drop you a note on my impressions.
First, I am glad we went with the white doe pads and tenor madness resonators. They look too cool for words.
The horn performs superbly. The action is mechanically sound and snappy. The regulation is such I don't find the 30's style ergonomics to be a hindrance. The neck tenon fits snug preventing leaks.
Intonation is good and the tone is amazing. I can produce a smooth west coast vibe when paired with my Riffault and a hard hitting Cannonball voice with my Brilhart Hard Rubber.
I played a gig last night and I had my Cennamo-Radio Improved Alto along side my Stohrer-Handcraft Soprano.
Both lived up to their calling thanks to the superior workmanship of you two gentlemen.
Best regards."
I've been playing my Radio Improved Alto a lot since I brought her home six weeks ago and thought it would be a good time to drop you a note on my impressions.
First, I am glad we went with the white doe pads and tenor madness resonators. They look too cool for words.
The horn performs superbly. The action is mechanically sound and snappy. The regulation is such I don't find the 30's style ergonomics to be a hindrance. The neck tenon fits snug preventing leaks.
Intonation is good and the tone is amazing. I can produce a smooth west coast vibe when paired with my Riffault and a hard hitting Cannonball voice with my Brilhart Hard Rubber.
I played a gig last night and I had my Cennamo-Radio Improved Alto along side my Stohrer-Handcraft Soprano.
Both lived up to their calling thanks to the superior workmanship of you two gentlemen.
Best regards."