I actually did very little to this horn- just a few adjustments here and there to improve its playability on its original pads. Yes, you read that right- *improve* playability on its original pads. And it plays very well. You can tell its a bit leaky, but it plays down to low Bb without much problem and feels pretty good under the fingers. I really enjoy seeing original pads horns because typically there are many layers of work between me and the original master craftsmen that made these things, and a horn like this is when the veil between my world and theirs is thinnest. I am lucky to see original setup horns several times a year, and I have learned an awful lot by spending time with them.
So even though I didn’t do much on this horn, it was too beautiful not to share, and I doubt I’ll come across another.
I did see a Selmer baritone about 1000 serials older than this one recently.
