Selmer Pennsylvania Special Alto Saxophone – Full Pearl Keywork – Fully Repadded
A particularly attractive and unusual Selmer Pennsylvania Special alto saxophone, serial number 268429, featuring the elaborate full pearl keywork found on the more highly specified versions of these instruments.
Almost every player touchpoint is finished with mother-of-pearl, including the distinctive left-hand table, giving the saxophone a wonderfully individual appearance.
It also features an underslung octave mechanism, rolled tone holes and the characteristic vintage European construction associated with the earlier Czechoslovakian Pennsylvania Specials.
This example has now undergone a complete mechanical overhaul and full repad and is playing properly throughout the range.
Full overhaul
The saxophone has been completely stripped down and rebuilt, including:
This is therefore being sold as a fully repadded and regulated playing instrument, rather than a vintage saxophone which will immediately require workshop attention.
Full pearl keywork
The most immediately striking feature of this Pennsylvania Special is the extensive use of mother-of-pearl touchpieces.
Rather than simply having pearl on the conventional main finger keys, this version uses pearl across almost all of the player contact points, including much of the left-hand table.
This unusual treatment is a recognised feature of some of the earlier Czechoslovakian Pennsylvania Specials and gives the instrument a distinctive appearance reminiscent of some of the elaborate American “typewriter” keywork of the same period.
Underslung neck
The instrument also features an unusual underslung octave mechanism, another feature documented on some Pennsylvania Special altos from this period.
It gives the neck a particularly elegant appearance and adds to the saxophone's unusual vintage character.
Previous repairs
This is a vintage instrument which has received repairs during its long life.
During the overhaul I have resoldered a couple of posts and repaired/resoldered one key where required.
There is also evidence of some earlier repair work carried out before the instrument came to me.
These repairs are visible on close inspection and in the photographs, but the important mechanical work has now been completed and the saxophone has been regulated following reassembly.
Finish and cosmetic condition
The saxophone presents very attractively overall but is certainly not an untouched collector's example.
The lacquer is not original and there are areas of normal wear, spotting, scratches and evidence of previous use and repair.
The photographs show the cosmetic condition clearly and form an important part of the description.
Despite those signs of age, the combination of the warm vintage lacquer, extensive pearl keywork and elegant wire guards gives it enormous character.
My focus with this instrument has been on mechanical restoration and playability.
Pennsylvania Special
Pennsylvania Special was a Selmer London stencil brand rather than a Selmer Paris model.
Early examples were commissioned from established European manufacturers, particularly in Czechoslovakia, and surviving instruments vary considerably in specification.
The more elaborate versions can feature rolled tone holes, wire keyguards, underslung octave mechanisms and extensive pearl keywork, all of which make these particularly interesting vintage saxophones. Sound Again
Because several manufacturers supplied Pennsylvania Specials and serial systems varied, I do not think it is sensible to attribute this particular instrument confidently to one factory purely from the serial number.
Playing character
Following the complete overhaul and new pad set, the saxophone is now properly sealing and playing throughout the register.
It has the warm, broad vintage character you would expect from a saxophone of this period, while the keywork is surprisingly comfortable once you become accustomed to the older-style left-hand table.
A playing demonstration is included so you can hear the actual instrument being offered.
Case
The saxophone comes with the hard case shown in the photographs.
Given its age I cannot guarantee it is original, so I would rather describe it as a period case, possibly original.
Included
The sale includes:
No mouthpiece, stand, harness or other accessories are included unless specifically stated.
Playing video
If on eBay a playing demonstration is included so that you can hear the actual saxophone following its overhaul. If viewing on Reverb please contact me and I will send it to you.
Play-testing before purchase is very welcome and encouraged.
About my saxophones
I restore vintage saxophones in my spare time because I enjoy preserving unusual and interesting instruments and bringing them back into playable condition.
My focus is primarily on getting them mechanically sound, properly regulated and enjoyable to play, rather than attempting to make old instruments look artificially new.
Each saxophone is carefully checked, regulated and play-tested before being listed, and I provide detailed photographs and a playing demonstration wherever possible.
This is a particularly unusual full-pearl Pennsylvania Special, now completely repadded with new Pisoni pads, regulated and returned to proper playing condition.
Collection, inspection and play-testing welcome.
Leak-tested and played in before listing.