SML Tenor Sax. Model?

[lr140011]

Hi folks,
I would very much appreciate if you could have a look at the pictures I took of my SML Tenor Saxophone. Is it a "Standard" revision? Nickel plated?
Any hint on if and how to strip the plating?

http://homepage.mac.com/lrilli/PhotoAlbum11.html

Thanks a lot for your help.

Loris

[Sigmund451]

I cant figure out why you would want to strip the plating. It is of course a standard...The serial indicates a Standard of the Gold Medal era...keep in mind that a Standard is actually a slightly stripped down version of the previous Pro version which would make it in reality a revision D with less frills. Stripping the finish will really degrade the value of the horn.

[JMac]

First off- welcome to the forum!

Sigmund is correct. I would only add that you should might want to check a great resource of information on the internet - Saxpics.com. This link will take you to the SML page - http://saxpics.com/sml/index.htm . SML (who currently still make oboes) actually admit that he knows more about the company's history of saxophone production than they do themselves...!

I also would add that I think nickel plating is supposed to be much more durable than other finishes, and the wear at the touch points indicate that your horn may actually be silver plated. Saxpics also indicates that nickel plated SMLs are very rare, so, in either case, you be reducing the value of your horn.

it looks as though you may have already started a re-build, so let us know how it turns out!

[Sigmund451]

....and if you run into any problems pack up the loose parts and I will get them out of your way ;)

[lr140011]

Thanks to both of you. You are right: the sax is silver plated! I removed all the keys to have it cleaned and replace 2 springs. Actually I thought to strip off the plating because several keys are in bad shape. But after a 4hrs cleaning session the Sax is looking great. Reading around I understood that the Standard models are not supposed to have rolled tone holes. Could you please have a look at the pictures I took? It is definitely a "Standard" model (engraving says it) but what about the tone holes?

http://homepage.mac.com/lrilli/PhotoAlbum13.html

Thanks again

Loris

[honkytone]

Those are definitely rolled toneholes. Popular wisdom had it that the Standard models had straight toneholes, but this proves otherwise. SML was a small enough shop that they could do anything they wanted at any time, so anything's possible. Also, I can't tell about the key touches but the horn itself is nickel plate.

[Sigmund451]

That is odd. The pic you do not ever include is important and that is the neck. It certainly is a standard but appears to be some hybrid. Does the neck have a brace? Often Standards did not. It may also be a standard simply because many of the famous 22 features are not present. The good thing is that I have never come across any information to suggest that Standards sound any different than top run horns from SML. BTW, do you need my address for delivery ;)

[Tandava]

That is odd. The pic you do not ever include is important and that is the neck. It certainly is a standard but appears to be some hybrid. Does the neck have a brace? Often Standards did not. It may also be a standard simply because many of the famous 22 features are not present. The good thing is that I have never come across any information to suggest that Standards sound any different than top run horns from SML. BTW, do you need my address for delivery ;)

Can you tell me what of the famous 22 Gold Medal features on Standard model lost. Except rolled tone holes...I fixed and sold few of them...looks rto me the same horn as a Gold Medal. Thanks. Tandava

[Tandava]

somebody created a myth that Stardart model is lower quality then Gold Medal and it is "intermediate" horn, because has no rolled tone holes. I think it is a fairy tale.