Awesome video! This is my horn! A buddy, an alto player in the Richmond Concert Band, just overhauled mine, serial #12536, ca. 1955. Basically what you said, a thorough cleaning and new set of pads. Couldn't believe the sound I brought out of it. First time I ever played it. Picked it up in the late 90s for $100. Sat in a closet or the garage for 15 years while I got busy with career and family. Looking forward to playing again. I'll see if I can post a video reply with it later.
Nice work Matt- I now know a lot more about SML's than I did about 12 minutes ago. Invaluable info for the sax enthusiast or someone approaching a purchase.
I have a *new* SML! It is a "Big Bell" tenor made in 1979. I have only played it a half dozen times. FYI, it does not have the weird rocking octave key or rolled tone holes.
JiveDadson ...2 years ago, do you still have it? The King Marigaux right? I have what I think was one of the last one's made, maybe '80-'81 26×××. It's almost new looking, a condition 9 out of 10. I love it. mine has the rocking left thumb rest but it's tightened to keep it from moving.
HI, Matt: I have a Rev D alto As always, I enjoyed your review. I heard you mention that the Gold Medal was what they received the gold medal for. My understanding is that the gold medal was awarded for the Rev D, and then they went on to produce the Gold Medal model, and I have no idea whether it's an improvement. I think after the Gold Medal, things were cheapened.
Hi Matt, Long time, no see. My tenor is also an SML Rev D. Hint for the octave key thumb rest: I glued a small piece of cork under the "heel" of it so it sits flat under the thumb. It rocks forward but not backwards. Works great that way for me.
hi matt, i have a rev d. alto as well as some other sml's - surprised to see the rocking thumbrest, none of mine have that feature. the beaugnier 'special perfect' saxes also have the switchable g# linkage you point out. sml's are certainly among the best saxes i have ever played, but i'm surprised to hear you like working on them - every technician i have ever taken one to has cursed me for it.... uneven rolled toneholes, bad solder, you name it.... i strongly recommend the 'super' series that comes between so-called rev b and rev c, they have more 'grain' in the tone than gold medals. they are numbered by year of production, thus 'super 45' etc. and usually have wire keyguards.
Matt, I've got an old stencil made for Lyons Monarch (I always thought it was a buescher) that i've been trying to track down better info on. It looks as if it has been made to LOOK like a SML there ware many similarities especially in the key work, same pinky cluster just with an extra roller. However the neck tenon, and octave mech are like you see on other saxophones. Spring lengths look very similar, but i'm not sure how much variation is allowed. Any thoughts? Were other companies making copycats back in the day?
Hi Matt, writing from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Gotta SML REV "C" model, plays so nice. Can you tell me some differences with the rev. D? i,ve seen your great overview. It seems tha is practically the same horn. thank´s, excellent work with these overviews
I found a gold plated one, they are asking 3k for it. Not sure what year it is, it didnt have the rotating left thumb.......... is that a good price???
I read that the altissimo range was not easy to attain on SML horns. Does anyone else with real experience playing (or attempting) altissimo on these horns concur or disagree with this?
In my experience, they sometimes benefit from an alternate fingering compared to what you are used to, but they are not difficult if you just spend an afternoon figuring out which fingerings work best. Overblowing into the altissimo using overtones is as easy as any other horn, so the altissimo range itself is fine.
looks great Matt.are the pants guard solid? I have a fun experience on a recent gig where a button of my vest got caught inone of the cutouts in the guard of my Buffet SDA, I had to cut it off. LOL the button not the Guard
Hey Matt. I have a SML Gold Medal No. 15,643 in really good condition and I have a question concerning the altisimo range. Would you by chance have a fingering chart that you recommend for this horn? I find the F#, and G keys quite flat and really have to strain to get them in tune. Do you have any suggestions as to what I could do to get the front keys to have some more spring to them. The keys are really light which can be nice but I'd like to have a little more response from them. Thanks
Hi, Matt. I like all of your videos so I have been trying to watch all of them.I have collected many vintage saxophones and Rev. D tenor, original satin gold plated is one of them. It is a little heavier saxophone I remember but I sounds very nice. I appreciate all your video works.Eungjoo Lee, M.D., PhD.
What can contribute to a stuffy sound middle D on a Keilwerth SX90 R? F, E , F#, really sing..once i hit D..it's a bit stuffy. To improve your videos..please play the horn at the end so we can hear the sound..thanks.
Hi Mat. I have a repair question. Can you tell, which type of springs are best to use if you have to replace the original ones? Original doesn't look like typical stainless steel type, but it's obviously not a blued needle spring either. Thanks a lot 😀
Awesome video! This is my horn! A buddy, an alto player in the Richmond Concert Band, just overhauled mine, serial #12536, ca. 1955. Basically what you said, a thorough cleaning and new set of pads. Couldn't believe the sound I brought out of it. First time I ever played it. Picked it up in the late 90s for $100. Sat in a closet or the garage for 15 years while I got busy with career and family. Looking forward to playing again. I'll see if I can post a video reply with it later.
The Rev D keyword is really great. I also feel that with the rolled tone holes, it's something of a Franco-Conn blend.
Nice work Matt- I now know a lot more about SML's than I did about 12 minutes ago. Invaluable info for the sax enthusiast or someone approaching a purchase.
Opposing springs on the octve mechanism!!!! Awesome! I didnt know about that. And you are right : makes a lot of sense.
I believe that the song that start around 7:00 is called Buena Vista Social Club
I have a *new* SML! It is a "Big Bell" tenor made in 1979. I have only played it a half dozen times.
FYI, it does not have the weird rocking octave key or rolled tone holes.
JiveDadson ...2 years ago, do you still have it? The King Marigaux right? I have what I think was one of the last one's made, maybe '80-'81 26×××. It's almost new looking, a condition 9 out of 10. I love it. mine has the rocking left thumb rest but it's tightened to keep it from moving.
HI, Matt: I have a Rev D alto As always, I enjoyed your review. I heard you mention that the Gold Medal was what they received the gold medal for. My understanding is that the gold medal was awarded for the Rev D, and then they went on to produce the Gold Medal model, and I have no idea whether it's an improvement. I think after the Gold Medal, things were cheapened.
Great videos !!I just bought a gold medal like yoursThank you.
Hi Matt, Long time, no see. My tenor is also an SML Rev D. Hint for the octave key thumb rest: I glued a small piece of cork under the "heel" of it so it sits flat under the thumb. It rocks forward but not backwards. Works great that way for me.
excellent overview, thank you Matt!
Great stuff Matt.
I would love a video on the Selmer Signet, there isnt much info out there on them, but I would enjoy your perspective!
Thanks! never new that thee built saxophones i had a mouthpice once of this brand
Switchable articulation also featured on Couesnon Monopole saxophones 😉
hi matt, i have a rev d. alto as well as some other sml's - surprised to see the rocking thumbrest, none of mine have that feature. the beaugnier 'special perfect' saxes also have the switchable g# linkage you point out. sml's are certainly among the best saxes i have ever played, but i'm surprised to hear you like working on them - every technician i have ever taken one to has cursed me for it.... uneven rolled toneholes, bad solder, you name it.... i strongly recommend the 'super' series that comes between so-called rev b and rev c, they have more 'grain' in the tone than gold medals. they are numbered by year of production, thus 'super 45' etc. and usually have wire keyguards.
A lot of Noblet and Vito saxes had the articulated G# lever.
Great info!! I'm considering buying one of these and this video was very helpful!! Thanks!!
I have an SML Gold Medal Tenor which, if any of the Ishimori neck screws would fit this horn? And thanks for the great video about my favorite make.
Incredible advice
Matt, I've got an old stencil made for Lyons Monarch (I always thought it was a buescher) that i've been trying to track down better info on. It looks as if it has been made to LOOK like a SML there ware many similarities especially in the key work, same pinky cluster just with an extra roller. However the neck tenon, and octave mech are like you see on other saxophones. Spring lengths look very similar, but i'm not sure how much variation is allowed. Any thoughts? Were other companies making copycats back in the day?
Hi Matt, writing from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Gotta SML REV "C" model, plays so nice. Can you tell me some differences with the rev. D? i,ve seen your great overview. It seems tha is practically the same horn. thank´s, excellent work with these overviews
Awesome overview! Thank you!!!!
I found a gold plated one, they are asking 3k for it. Not sure what year it is, it didnt have the rotating left thumb..........
is that a good price???
Matt , You are a fountain of information .
I read that the altissimo range was not easy to attain on SML horns. Does anyone else with real experience playing (or attempting) altissimo on these horns concur or disagree with this?
In my experience, they sometimes benefit from an alternate fingering compared to what you are used to, but they are not difficult if you just spend an afternoon figuring out which fingerings work best. Overblowing into the altissimo using overtones is as easy as any other horn, so the altissimo range itself is fine.
looks great Matt.are the pants guard solid? I have a fun experience on a recent gig where a button of my vest got caught inone of the cutouts in the guard of my Buffet SDA, I had to cut it off. LOL the button not the Guard
Thanks for this video Matt! How would you say the sound of this model compares to a Buffet Super Dynaction?
thanks Matt! pp
Hey Matt. I have a SML Gold Medal No. 15,643 in really good condition and I have a question concerning the altisimo range. Would you by chance have a fingering chart that you recommend for this horn? I find the F#, and G keys quite flat and really have to strain to get them in tune.
Do you have any suggestions as to what I could do to get the front keys to have some more spring to them. The keys are really light which can be nice but I'd like to have a little more response from them.
Thanks
Hi matt why is the mark Vi considered the best saxophone ever made? is there any other saxophone that plays better or as good as a Mark Vi? thanks
Hi, Matt. I like all of your videos so I have been trying to watch all of them.I have collected many vintage saxophones and Rev. D tenor, original satin gold plated is one of them. It is a little heavier saxophone I remember but I sounds very nice. I appreciate all your video works.Eungjoo Lee, M.D., PhD.
What can contribute to a stuffy sound middle D on a Keilwerth SX90 R? F, E , F#, really sing..once i hit D..it's a bit stuffy. To improve your videos..please play the horn at the end so we can hear the sound..thanks.
I dont understand how does the lacquer from all of the horn go away like that
Hi Mat. I have a repair question. Can you tell, which type of springs are best to use if you have to replace the original ones? Original doesn't look like typical stainless steel type, but it's obviously not a blued needle spring either. Thanks a lot 😀
Makes you wonder why they didn't catch on. Name is everything, and it's the sad truth. They could've been the selmer of today.
Hey matt, I have both the rev d and gold medal II, and find on both horns the middle C# is quite flat. Is this common? Repairable? Thanks
Alvin Cornista I noticed exactly same, that middle C# and C are little bit flat
Where are u located