King Marigaux Soprano

[Ed Morgan]

Anybody out there had much experience with these soprano's ????? I had a choice between a Buescher TT and this soprano and chose the King Marigaux based on my experience with SML Tenors and Altos that I own/ or owned ..... and currently playing SML tenors I am accustomed to the keywork .......I was wondering a few things about these sopranos if anyone has had any experience and could offer some insight ...... the horn is set up with no resonators which is how my Gold medal Mk 1 Tenor was when I first acquired it ........ was this how they originally set the horns up from the factory ????? I was wondering about experiences with other various setup's .... ie. metal resonators , plastic etc. specifically on the soprano's ......... and also what mouthpiece's work well with the SML soprano's ....... I was considering going with maybe an Otto Link hard rubber in a 7 or 8 ...... any thoughts or other observations about this sax would be greatly appreciated ..... Ed

[Dr G]

Are you familiar with this site?

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

[Ed Morgan]

Dr. G ........ Yes I'm familiar with Saxpics ...... both of my Tenors are on the website and I was just looking at the some of the King Marigaux Soprano's this morning as a matter of fact .......why do you ask ????

[Dr G]

I was thinking that it might offer some insight to your questions if you were not already aware of it.

BTW, there was an SML sop at eBay recently - that might be one more data point regarding reso's. Sorry I can't help beyond that. I'll see if I can buy a few of the sops myself so we can learn more together. :D

[Ed Morgan]

Dr. G ........ That would be "way cool" ...... perhaps we could coordinate an get various different models and save each other a few bucks ... I looked at Saxpics at the King (SML) soprano's and was able to glean a few things from the pics. ........ they apparently have the Rocking thumbrest like my Gold Medal Mk 1 tenor has and also the same type of thumrest ........couldn't tell whether they have any type of strap hook or not ........didn't appear to......my primary concern at this point is finding the right mouthpiece...... I have ordered several Otto Link HR Tone Edge mpcs. ...... a 6 , 6* and 7 from WW&BW perhaps one of these will work ..... I hear alot of guys rave about the Selmer Super Session mpcs. also I wish I could get an M.C. Gregory in a soprano piece but I don't believe I've ever seen one ........ anyone know if they made them or not and what they sound like.....???????

[aanz]

Hey Ed, did you buy the King/SML that was ebay recently? I noticed that it had non-reso pads. I have a King/SML sop, it had been rebuilt when I got it with plastic resos, like my SML alto and tenor. They work well and maintain a bit of a mellower sound. I've played a HR Link 7* on mine and it worked okay, but have found a Morgan 6J or (older) Woodwind B6 to pay better. Although the thumbrest looks the same it does not rock. All in all the horn is a very nice player, and in tune.
How are you liking yours?

[aanz]

Oh yeah, I had a Buescher. I think the King is way better from a ergonomic standpoint as well as sound. I think you made the right decision.

[Ed Morgan]

aanz ....... yes it is the one that was on e-bay recently ....... I have it in the shop now and am having it set up with the plastic reso's so I can't really say how it sounds just yet ..... I couldn't get much out of it .......it was way out of adjustment.....leaks all over.... I got 3 mpcs. (all Otto Link Tone Edge) from WW& BW and have a little while to try them out..... I got a 6 ,a 6* and a 7 as far as the soprano mpcs. I don't know that much about them ......I play M.C. Gregory Model A 5A - 20's on both alto and tenor ..... The tenors are SML's and I play a Super 20 alto i love the sound I get with the gregory on the SML's .......anyway I think I made a good choice also the king feels so much more comfortable and from playing other SML's it just feels total at home in my hands ........

[Paul Coats]

I had a nice silver King-Mariguax a while back. It came with the Selmer type brown plastic dome resonators.

Intonation and tone was excellent, as was the general ergonomics of the instrument. However, due to the lack of Front F key and high F# it did not meet all my needs. Still, it was a far cry better than the Mk VI I used to have.

Overall, an excellent soprano.

[Voiceman]

I just bought a vintage ('28) Buescher TT sop, and it sounds and plays great (after re-pad and quite a bit of adjustment upfront; think it spent a LOT of time in a dark closet somewhere...).

However, having just read this forum posting, and having NOT played a King for comparison, I'm HIGHLY curious and wondering what they play and sound like, and how they'd stack up, comparison wise... as I play and love the action and sound of my Gold Medal I tenor, I can imagine it's probably pretty fluid and very even/consistent intonation-wise across the range... (oh PLEASE PLEASE don't give me "buyer's remorse"...! LOL!)

Well, there's actually great consolation, in that I got the TT for a "song" (pun intended), and it's in near-mint condition for such a classic vintage example!

- Scott

[max]

Voiceman, it's all personal, but FWIW I sold my SML sop in favor of a TT. It was a tough choice to make, but in the end the sound of the TT won over the SML. My tenor and alto are both SMLs, and I would have liked to have had that SML LH table on my sop too, but I just liked the sound of the Buescher a little better. (I agree with aanz, though, that ergonomically, the SML beats the TT, but the TT isn't really bad at all, just not quite as comfy as the SML...)

[Ike Webkins]

Well, I have a KM sop on the way.... will keep you informed when it arrives...

I do expect the same huge sound I get on my alto, and got on my former tenor...8-)

[Ike Webkins]

so i got it yesterday. Had time to play it a little bit this afternoon.

Very nice sweet and complex sound, very easy blowing, but the horn needs some tuning to work properly, but otherwise it is a great horn (quite usual with SMLs...):)

[BeyondSax]

I bought two of these in the past year, one with both SML logo and King Marigaux logo (23XXX) and one with just the King Marigaux logo (26XXX). I love my SML tenors and really expected a lot from these horns. Well the sound is good, but the intonation of both is not (problem is middle D,D#, E are all very sharp on both horns). Also the top notes (D#,E, F) are difficult to get to speak. In defense of the horns, both have very old pads and one was clearly not loved as virtually all the adjustments are just wrong. I have started a complete overhaul on one of them, but just haven't gotten around to finishing it. I am hoping that I won't be disappointed when the overhaul is complete.

BTW, one of my friends acquired an SML sop from the Rev D era and is ecstatic with it.

[hafuch]

Hi Beyondsax,

If you give those SMLs a good overhaul and get them into playing shape, they will knock you socks off. Unless you have a real lemon or they are in need of some adjustment (key heights, leaks, key alignment, etc.), SMLs do not disappoint (at least not in my experience). :)

[GAS_Wyo]

I just got my first King Marigaux soprano (22,8XX) and I can't believe how easily and in tune this one plays. This one has the SML logo. I traded a guitar and amp for it...I hope I got my money's worth.