SML Baris

[Jay2004]

I play a Gold Medal silver plate alto which really pleases me.

I am looking for a baritone to play to fill out the horn section of a band I play in. I have never played, heard or even seen a SML baritone but have heard lots about Martins, Selmers, Kings and the other usual suspects.

What's your opinion about SML bari's?

Do they cut the mustard?

Which models are good?

Do they follow the same progression of models (Rev's , Gms) as altos and tenors?

How much do they sell for?

Any for sale?

Thanks.

[JMac]

I can not give you any opinions about the SML baritones (or any others as I haven't played one in 20+ years), but can only share what I've seen about them. The saxgourmet vintage sax valuation guide does not even address their existance and made me wonder if there were such a beast.

Sure enough! Gayle at vintage sax has one for sale, you can follow her links to send her an e-mail to ask her price. I have seen some of her saxophones and they are immaculate (this one looks brand new). Here is the link:

http://www.vintagesax.com/baribass.html

The saxes are in alpha order, with the SML at the bottom. Although it does not indicate what year or model it is, I think it is a Rev. D, based on what I saw on saxpic's sight in the two minutes I had to spend there. This should help you find out if they did indeed follow the same progression.

This site is an invaluable guide to sax history on the web, and here is the link to the SML area:

http://www.saxpics.com/sml/index.htm

I hope this gives you a little help in what you're looking for. I must admit that I wish I could afford that Bari before you get it, but I'll just have to live with my dreams for now. Hope you find a Bari you like!

PS I don't know what Gayle's policy is for international sales, nor what the Inland Revenue Service policy is re: VAT on horns brought in from the states or what your country's customs charges would be.

In order to get an opinion on how the sax sounds, you may wish to post under the more general Baritone Sax section up above. All the folks who check posts there are extremely helpful and most seem to have played a wide variety of brands. Dave Dix and Bootman provide invaluable advice, I think Dave is in the UK too and Bootman is from down under, so in mixed vernacular, I'll say they're righteous blokes! Dave may be able to point you to good sources for used saxophones in the UK if it is too difficult to purchase from the states- though I think the exchange rate has been favorable to y'all lately! Best of luck.

[Jay2004]

Thanks a lot JMac. I'll seek the advice of wise minds in the baritone section.

Thanks for the link to Vintagesax.com. It's a beautiful horn though I have an irrational wariness about re-lacquered horns.

I think you're right about the tax. I wanted to import a Barbetta combo amp from a US dealer using UPS and I think UPS would have to pay the VAT and import duty before the could deliver it to me and I would have to pay them.

[morgan]

They're on the bright side and have a very big thunderous sound. They sell for ... what they sell for. Too few are traded to establish a "market price".

[Rev. D]

Dave at Junkdude.com also has a low A King Marigaux bari for sale if you're considering buying in North America.

[Marcus Melody]

There is a low Bb SML bari for sale on ebay right now.
I have an SML bari. I like it a lot but I haven't played many other brands so I can't give you a fair comparison. The SML baris don't have rolled tone holes or many of the other typical SML features found on altos and tenors.

[amg]

Someone in the baritone forum pointed out the review at

http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Buying/SML_bari.htm

Interesting read. The other reviews are worth reading, you get a quite detailed "double vision" of each horn, looked at from an engineering as well as a musical point of view. In fact there tends to be rather more of the engineering....