King Marigaux Sop

[JazzGospel]

How much is a King Mariguax soprano in excelllent condition worth? Early articles by Fred Cicetti mention the SML sopranos are very hard to find. How does the stencil sop compare in value?

And are they really that good? What about the limited range compared to modern sopranos. Is that an issue for jazz and/or legit?

[Swingtone]

I'd say about $1,800 to $2,200 on the secondary market (ebay). They would probably go for $2500 retail.

The KM soprano has more mystique than the alto, tenor or bari because Cannonball Adderley played one late in his career.

Have you got a case of GAS, my friend? ;)

[JazzGospel]

It's pretty obvious huh? You got to take a look at the pictures I took of the Magna. Just posted it today. Go all the way to my last 2 postings.
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=76316

[JazzGospel]

Now back to the topic of this thread. I was intrigued by that article on SML that Fred Cicetti wrote back in 1999. I've got the link below but I've paste the last couple of paragraphs that got my attention:

Last note for now. It seems that SML made far fewer sopranos than altos, tenors and baritones. There are some King Marigaux sopranos out there that were made for King by SML. However, SML sopranos seem to be quite rare.

Like a lot of SML owners, I want one of these sopranos. I have a 1927 Buescher that I love, but I know there's a better sop out there. I have an e-mail from a guy in Germany who heard a classical soprano player in France. He said the sax was an SML and it was the best sound he ever heard on any soprano.

The German guy went up to the player after the concert and asked him about the horn, and inquired whether the sax might be for sale. The player put the sax in its case, closed the top and walked away without saying a word.

I'm sure you've read the the article before but here's the link anyway: http://www.saxontheweb.net/SML/more_of_story.html

[AdrianMolina]

Cannonball Adderley & Woody Herman played King Marigquax sopranos, FYI.

[averageschmoe]

I overhauled one for a doctor in Hawaii. It was one of the finest sopranos I've ever had the opportunity to play. Real even scale and a huge sound.

[JazzGospel]

It's not often a soprano of the same maker commands a similar price with their alto or even tenor.

Do you suppose SML kept their sop unchanged while the Rev D evolved because they achieved something close to perfect?

What would be the fair price for a silver plated sop in near mint condition (99% silver plating), and no dings or dents?

[BeyondSax]

Let me start by saying that I am an avid SML fan and already own five (2 tenors, one alto, two sopranos).

Having said that, I may be about to spoil the valuation party, as I believe in market-based values. First, you need to distinguish between SML branded horns and King Marigaux stencils (BTW the early KMs all have the SML logo, while the later ones only have the KM logo). True SML branded horns almost always sell for more than the KMs, even if the KMs have both the King Marigaux and the SML logo. With regard to KM stencil sopranos, I know of a damaged & professionally repaired soprano offered for USD 1,300, and another refurbished, repadded newly silver-plated for USD1,750 (this one on eBay last month and got zero bids at $1,750). And, I had another opportunity at USD 1,500 for a completely refurbished horn but didn't buy because of intonation/other issues. I finally purchased two KM sopranos in the past three weeks, one for USD 1,650 and another for just under USD 1,500. The higher priced one is near mint while the other is in very good condition but with worn and spotted lacquer. Neither is damaged or repaired. The lower cost horn is in hand and it has some intonation problems which I am trying to resolve. The other hasn't arrived, so I can't address intonation. King Marigaux's don't have all the features of SML branded horns and based on my own experience and other info posted elsewhere, these horns were a "cheapened" product in comparison to the SMLs. That certainly doesn't mean they are anything but excellent horns, just that SML quite deliberately removed features over time to cut costs.

On the other hand, SML branded horns are regularly selling for USD 1,800 to USD 2,000+, even when they are player's horns. I normally collect minty condition horns and have yet to find an actual SML soprano in mint state. When I do, I expect to pay USD 2,000++. (I don't want to get too exact here so as to leave myself some room to bargain when that elusive mint condition SML sop becomes available.)

[JazzGospel]

I was doing a quick scan on the web this evening and found one available with Joe Sax for $1750

It would probably be safe to say the range would be from $1500 to $2000 for the KM sop, higher for a minty SML (non stencil)?

I would have to agree with BeyondSax that at the end of the day, valuation is based on what the market bears.