NOW SOLD...A Brace of Selmer Boleros

J
Joebone
Posts: 74
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by Joebone » (edited 2023-02-20 9:52 p.m.)

I've now sold both of the two Selmer Bolero's described below...and retained a third for future use. These are such gret horns!

I'm consolidating horns from several locations while pivoting toward retirement and having sold our LA home, and am selling two Selmer Boleros (but keeping the third). I've loved the Bolero forever - it's almost 50 years since I sat in NJ All-State band with my Bolero lost among a sea of Conn 88H and King 4BF 'bones. For me, always a more pleasing tone and easier to play than any King 3-B or other .508/.509 horn I've ever blown. Reasons? I do know the slide is a tad wider than a 3-B (good for my wide-jawed self), suspect there is a bit more copper in the mix than your typical "yellow brass" bell, and the geometry is certainly different - including a kranz/tone ring along the edge of the bell. Anyhow, I've accumulated several of these - they are cheap and cheerful, and I had two stashed around the country so I could play out when hanging with dispersed family and not fly with a horn...but it's time to sell two of them.

Both have lacquer wear but seem to have eluded significant dents, crinkles or dings, and the slides are both in the good/very good range. (To calibrate, "excellent" would be a Shires or K&H in tip-top shape, and average would be truly average - no grade inflation, here). #50XX blows a bit brighter, but has more lacquer wear AND IS ALSO SOLD. #53XX has a nicely balanced timbre and blows easily in the high range - in some ways my favorite of the three, but the wife sez I sound more comfortable on the keeper. There is a silver-dollar blob of discoloration where the bell mounts into the bracing, which makes me wonder if someone tried to "temper" the blow with a blowtorch. Both come with the original Selmer french-style hard cases - a lot like early ''70's Bach cases - in serviceable condition, with #50XX looking funkier due to some school/travel stickers.

Asking $650 plus split shipping for #50XX, and $750/split shipping for #53XX. US and Canada only. Pix upon request, or I might upload a few on this thread. Would prefer to see these in the Trombonechat community before going to Ebay/Reverb, etc. I've never really traded here, but have 100% feedback at Talkbass.com, Audiogon.com, US Audio Mart, and as Joebonehome on ebay.
J
Joebone
Posts: 74
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by Joebone »

Surprised and gratified by the first-day inquiries. Hoping these horns find good homes...
P
pbone3b
Posts: 153
Joined: Apr 08, 2018

by pbone3b »

dm sent
J
jorymil
Posts: 304
Joined: Oct 26, 2019

by jorymil »

Are these straight Boleros or F-attachment?
J
Joebone
Posts: 74
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by Joebone »

Straight. Can send pix, if interested
J
Joebone
Posts: 74
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by Joebone »

Have been amidst a home relocation, but now back in the game, and promoting these fine horns as worthy of adoption...
J
Joebone
Posts: 74
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by Joebone »

Selmer Bolero update: 50XX is sold. 53XX remains available - $750 plus split shipping, CONUS.
J
Joebone
Posts: 74
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by Joebone »

Both Boleros now sold.