Martin Handcraft Baritone: experiences ?

[MMM]

After being very pleased with both my Alto and Tenor Searchlight models, I am now wondering if anyone owns or has tried a Searchlight bari and would like to share their thoughts on this model. I have never seen one, let alone tried one, but I have heard good things about Martin baris in general.
Also if anyone in SE England knows where there's one for sale (to try out) I would also be interested...

Thanks to all
MMM

[soreliprick]

I'm trying to win an alto on e#$% right now. But I've had a Searchlight bari for 2 years now, plus a The Martin Bari from '58. The '37 Searchlight plays fine, even without the front F, which doesn't stop me from getting altissimo up to D with ease. The '58 bari has the front F, but I find it harder to get altissimo on that horn. But the "The" doesn't have the alt F# on the side in the lower stack, which the '37 does have. Don't ask me why. But the alt F# on the '37 is situated right above the right thumb rest, and the '58 has that adjustable thumb which encroaches upon the tone hole area. Some have added the alt F# so I have no idea why Martin didn't include it.
The Searchlight is noticeably lighter than the "The", feels like a couple of pounds, but I've never actually weighed them. They both have that left thumb 'plateau' or 'easy chair' thumb rest next to the octave lever. I'd be hard pressed to choose between the two, they both play with an easy pinky table, and sound similar. I guess lighter with an alt F# is better than heavier with a front F. I've seen only 2 in the past 2 years of searching on e#%$ and got mine for $600, the same ugly old pads still sealing fine. The "The" I got for $450 on e$#% but only because it was mislabled as a 'horn', not a sax, and its in much better shape and I'm still using the same ugly pads it came with as well.
I doubt if you'll get many other responses to this thread, as I have asked a couple of times myself in the past and got no response....

[Baphomet]

Looks like I'm going to have one of these in my paws pretty soon! :D

I've never even played a Bari before. There isn't a lot of talk about these here, so any insights would be apreciated. In any case the price was right, though I'm sure it's going to need some work.

[Eric Ha]

Congratulations! I tried to find a Handcraft Committee bari for a while, but wound up buying a 1958 Committee bari. It has a very big, powerful and rich tone, and I'm sure that your HC bari will as well. If you would, post some pics of it when it arrives, as those jems are somewhat rare.

[Baphomet]

Thanks Eric. I know Pete Thomas plays a Martin Bari and he KILLS on it.

[Eric Ha]

Yes, I purchased Pete's cd recently, and he and his HC sound great. You are going to enjoy playing a bari. They are a lot of fun.