Sax on the Web

Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / SML Bari's - a casual opinion

StevenW
User ID: 0833354 Oct 4th 3:27 AM
In response to a question in the BASS Sax thread in the Baritone Section:

"Dr. Inconspicuous
User ID: 0610144 Oct 3rd 6:41 PM

asked:

So what's your opinion of the SML bari? I've never been able to get a real review. "

I've ended up with Morgan's old SML Bari - hooked up an Otto Link Super Tone Master and found it to be a real bell ringer! I'm coming back to playing regularly after a long hiatus and am approaching perhaps the %40 point in getting things back together, so temper my opinions accordingly!

This ex-Morgan SML Bari is a Bb horn, and plays very well indeed. Very free playing, expressive, rich toned, consistant... The action is fast with the only complaints being the exposed rod-work down the left-side of the horn can bind up if pulled against you. Classical work is easy, do miss low-A and high F# keywork for jazz charts.

Intonation throughout seems outstanding. Dynamic range excellent, from wispery fluffs (the "red velvet" sound) to thunder-horn it can do it! Magical the wonderful full vibrato you can irk out of it!

Still working on Altissimo that I can manage consistantly though - but its me, not the horn.

The across the break C-C#-D-Eb tonal consistantcy is a suprise, as most baritones seem to exhibit more tonal variation across the C#-D break.

Haven't played anything I'd rather have (yet?) - sold my old French Noblet Bari once I played this SML, and have compared this SML to a new Yamaha, a Mk VI and a couple other vintage horns - I'm darn pleased with this SML Bari and would rave that if the example I obtained from Morgan is representative that an SML Bari is a real unsung hero of a Baritone Sax!

Morgan has some mp3's of him playing it, if you ask him!

regards,

StevenW

StevenW
User ID: 0833354 Nov 6th 10:14 PM
Heh am I the only one playing one of these or can anyone else let us know how they are doing & feel about theirs?

J. Calhoun
User ID: 0673084 Nov 7th 12:01 PM
Sounds like you have a great find. There just can't be many of these, which is why no one is responding.

Rob V
User ID: 1815634 Nov 7th 2:47 PM
StevenW your not the only SML bai player out there. I play a nikkel plate SML bari and it sounds great it can whisper and it can roar and has great intonation and a huge projection.

Regards, Rob

saxpics
User ID: 0541004 Nov 7th 8:41 PM
Rob, if you or any of your other SML bari playing bretheren happen to have some pics of your horns, send me some: I'll post them for all to enjoy when my 'site is up and running again.

Nickle SML's, let alone baris, are rare to the point of almost non-existant.

Thanks!
Pete
saxpics@hotmail.com

Rob V
User ID: 1815634 Nov 8th 4:27 PM
Pete, I,ll have to borrow a digital camera from a friend of mine and then i'll take some pics of this existing "non-existant" bari, i'ts near mint and the thing i like most about it, (except for the sound),is the fact that i don't have to polish it to keep it bright and shiny.

greetz,
Rob

Rob V
User ID: 1815634 Nov 15th 5:50 PM
Pete, i will send you the pic's tomorrow.

Rob

StevenW
User ID: 0833354 Nov 29th 11:45 PM
Were many SML Bari's Silver Plate? Did those have Gold Wash in the Bell like avinatge horn?

regards,

StevenW

StevenW
User ID: 8722703 Jan 16th 8:42 PM
Also if anyone knows of another SML Bari (prefer needing repad and/or some work) I'd like to find a backup Bari.

regards,

Steve

StevenW User ID: 0833354	Oct 4th 3:27 AM In response to a question in the BASS Sax thread in the Baritone Section: "Dr. Inconspicuous User ID: 0610144 Oct 3rd 6:41 PM asked: So what's your opinion of the SML bari? I've never been able to get a real review. " I've ended up with Morgan's old SML Bari - hooked up an Otto Link Super Tone Master and found it to be a real bell ringer! I'm coming back to playing regularly after a long hiatus and am approaching perhaps the %40 point in getting things back together, so temper my opinions accordingly! This ex-Morgan SML Bari is a Bb horn, and plays very well indeed. Very free playing, expressive, rich toned, consistant... The action is fast with the only complaints being the exposed rod-work down the left-side of the horn can bind up if pulled against you. Classical work is easy, do miss low-A and high F# keywork for jazz charts. Intonation throughout seems outstanding. Dynamic range excellent, from wispery fluffs (the "red velvet" sound) to thunder-horn it can do it! Magical the wonderful full vibrato you can irk out of it! Still working on Altissimo that I can manage consistantly though - but its me, not the horn. The across the break C-C#-D-Eb tonal consistantcy is a suprise, as most baritones seem to exhibit more tonal variation across the C#-D break. Haven't played anything I'd rather have (yet?) - sold my old French Noblet Bari once I played this SML, and have compared this SML to a new Yamaha, a Mk VI and a couple other vintage horns - I'm darn pleased with this SML Bari and would rave that if the example I obtained from Morgan is representative that an SML Bari is a real unsung hero of a Baritone Sax! Morgan has some mp3's of him playing it, if you ask him! regards, StevenW
StevenW User ID: 0833354	Nov 6th 10:14 PM Heh am I the only one playing one of these or can anyone else let us know how they are doing & feel about theirs?
J. Calhoun User ID: 0673084	Nov 7th 12:01 PM Sounds like you have a great find. There just can't be many of these, which is why no one is responding.
Rob V User ID: 1815634	Nov 7th 2:47 PM StevenW your not the only SML bai player out there. I play a nikkel plate SML bari and it sounds great it can whisper and it can roar and has great intonation and a huge projection. Regards, Rob
saxpics User ID: 0541004	Nov 7th 8:41 PM Rob, if you or any of your other SML bari playing bretheren happen to have some pics of your horns, send me some: I'll post them for all to enjoy when my 'site is up and running again. Nickle SML's, let alone baris, are rare to the point of almost non-existant. Thanks! Pete saxpics@hotmail.com
Rob V User ID: 1815634	Nov 8th 4:27 PM Pete, I,ll have to borrow a digital camera from a friend of mine and then i'll take some pics of this existing "non-existant" bari, i'ts near mint and the thing i like most about it, (except for the sound),is the fact that i don't have to polish it to keep it bright and shiny. greetz, Rob
Rob V User ID: 1815634	Nov 15th 5:50 PM Pete, i will send you the pic's tomorrow. Rob
StevenW User ID: 0833354	Nov 29th 11:45 PM Were many SML Bari's Silver Plate? Did those have Gold Wash in the Bell like avinatge horn? regards, StevenW
StevenW User ID: 8722703	Jan 16th 8:42 PM Also if anyone knows of another SML Bari (prefer needing repad and/or some work) I'd like to find a backup Bari. regards, Steve