Are SML Rev D's any good?

[Eulipion2]

Hello,
I'm looking for an alto to replace my Mk. VII (fully functioning, good condition, I just don't like it). I found an SML Rev D on Saxquest, and was wondering if it'd be a good horn (fair trade?), and also, I was wondering about the resale value. I know everyone tries for a Gold Medal horn, but what about the Rev Ds?
Thanks

[Eulipion2]

Actually, I'm not sure if it's a Rev. D. The serial number is 12301. It has a very nice engraving, but it doesn't say a model name, so could it be a standard model?

[Rev. D]

The horn at Saxquest is a Rev. D. I have an alto quite close to that serial number and it is fabulous. I prefer it to the Selmer Serie III and Conn Chu Berry altos that also live at my house. Great intonation, darker sound, and although not everyone likes the pinky table, I do and find the keywork easy and fast. All but a few of the Gold Medal features will be present in a Rev. D, which is the horn that actually won the "gold medal" that the later model refers to. Most people who play Rev. D's seem to prefer them to Gold Medals, although I have never had the latter. It's hard to say about the resale value of horns these days. They are rare but probably not a great bet for speculation. Prices do not seem to be moving noticeably despite their scarcity. The Saxquest price looks more than fair to me if the pads are good. I paid more for mine a couple of years ago and have never regretted it. More to the point, I cannot imagine that I'd ever want to sell this horn.

[Eulipion2]

Thanks Rev D!!!

[Paul Coats]

I had a silver Rev D a few years ago, and in a state of idiocy, I traded it for another instrument. I could still kick myself over that.

The Rev D I had was purchased from Sarge at World Wide Sax, and padded with hard Prestini PS-220's, with Pisoni smooth metal dome resonators. The tone was very dark and liquid.

The only thing I did not like was the tilting thumbrest. I simply put a chunk of cork under it and it worked just fine for me after that.