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Sax on the Web Forum / SML (Strasser-Marigaux) / Is a Malerne an SML?

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Fred Cicetti
User ID: 0373644 Apr 23rd 10:34 AM
There was a short string about curved sopranos that ended a month ago with a question to me from Rick M, so I thought I'd start a new one about the same topic.

I bought a Malerne curved soprano on Ebay. I used the "Buy It Now" the second I saw it. It went for $800, which included a total overhaul. This horn is in excellent shape and plays wonderfully.

After I played it for a while, I sold my Conn curved soprano, which had a great sound but couldn't compare to the Malerne. Honest.

Let me backtrack. Curved sopranos are an American thing. They started around 1920 and had a great run until about 1940. Almost all the horns were made by Conn, Buescher, Martin and King. Yanagisawa revived the curved sops in 1979, and now there are several companies making them.

I prefer a curved soprano. I can't live with the oboe sound of straight sops. That's why I sold two straight SML sopranos that were gorgeous machines. SML, as far as I can tell, never made a curved soprano. If they did, I would go to the ends of the earth to get it.

The Malerne I got is the closest thing you're going to find to an SML curved soprano. It has a powerful sound and great ergonomics--far better than the old Conns and Bueschers. I think mine was made around 1950, but I can't be sure...yet.

Robert Malerne was part of the whole incestuous family in La Couture, outside Paris. This is the place where all the great French woodwind makers get their horns made. The trades are handed down from generation to generation.

When you by an SML or a Selmer or Buffet, you're getting the results of the same craftsmanship. Just different labels. It reminds me of Japanese cars. I mean, what's the real difference between a Toyota, Nissan, Subaru? They all look alike and drive alike to me. So, I'm not an SML snob. Give me a Buffet sax and I know it will play beautifully. Give me a Selmer clarinet and I'll expect the same results that I get with a Buffet R13.

Malerne was bought out by SML in 1975. The fact is that Malerne's factory became SML's after the takeover. SML and Malerne were located only a block or two apart in La Couture.

I have no idea how many of these curved sops Malerne made. However, another one came up on Ebay after I bought mine. I tried to get that one, too, but the seller and I couldn't agree on price.

I got a catalog for Malerne from the Shrine to Music Museum in South Dakota. From this catalog, I learned that, at one time--I'm not sure when--Malerne was marketing based on price. The quality-for-less pitch. Malerne appeared to be sort of a Noblet, which is also located in La Couture.

However, I can tell you that the Malerne horn I got is a pro horn in every way. An absolute pleasure to play. Big, rich tone. Powerful, yet subtle when you want it to be. And this is the best part--it plays in tune better than any soprano I've played. That includes about a dozen different makes.

So now I have what I view as a companion to my SML alto. If you like curved sopranos and can find a Malerne, get it. You won't be disappointed.

Fred

saxaholic11
User ID: 0101764 Jan 26th 1:41 PM
just got my malerne curved and it is very nice playing/sounding indeed. great flexibility also and comfortable keywork. also love the high f modern touch key as well. one thing i do not get though is why did fred ciccetti sell his after the glowing reports he gave of his own here.??

Fred Cicetti
User ID: 7426893 Jan 27th 9:53 AM
I sold the Malerne curved soprano on Ebay because my taste changed. I've played a bunch of sopranos and owned five, including two incredible SML straight sops. Gradually, I became disenchanted with the soprano sound. It just sounds to damn high and unpleasant to me now, even when produced by the best players. I found that I was never playing the Malerne. I'm just a passionate amateur, so I don't need a closet-full of horns for gigs. My Malerne was purchased by Mark Vinci, a top pro in the New York. He loves the horn and thinks it's the best sop he ever played. I'm really happy that it's being used by someone who appreciates it. Those people out in La Couture really know how to make saxophones.

Back 20 Messages

Fred Cicetti User ID: 0373644	Apr 23rd 10:34 AM There was a short string about curved sopranos that ended a month ago with a question to me from Rick M, so I thought I'd start a new one about the same topic. I bought a Malerne curved soprano on Ebay. I used the "Buy It Now" the second I saw it. It went for $800, which included a total overhaul. This horn is in excellent shape and plays wonderfully. After I played it for a while, I sold my Conn curved soprano, which had a great sound but couldn't compare to the Malerne. Honest. Let me backtrack. Curved sopranos are an American thing. They started around 1920 and had a great run until about 1940. Almost all the horns were made by Conn, Buescher, Martin and King. Yanagisawa revived the curved sops in 1979, and now there are several companies making them. I prefer a curved soprano. I can't live with the oboe sound of straight sops. That's why I sold two straight SML sopranos that were gorgeous machines. SML, as far as I can tell, never made a curved soprano. If they did, I would go to the ends of the earth to get it. The Malerne I got is the closest thing you're going to find to an SML curved soprano. It has a powerful sound and great ergonomics--far better than the old Conns and Bueschers. I think mine was made around 1950, but I can't be sure...yet. Robert Malerne was part of the whole incestuous family in La Couture, outside Paris. This is the place where all the great French woodwind makers get their horns made. The trades are handed down from generation to generation. When you by an SML or a Selmer or Buffet, you're getting the results of the same craftsmanship. Just different labels. It reminds me of Japanese cars. I mean, what's the real difference between a Toyota, Nissan, Subaru? They all look alike and drive alike to me. So, I'm not an SML snob. Give me a Buffet sax and I know it will play beautifully. Give me a Selmer clarinet and I'll expect the same results that I get with a Buffet R13. Malerne was bought out by SML in 1975. The fact is that Malerne's factory became SML's after the takeover. SML and Malerne were located only a block or two apart in La Couture. I have no idea how many of these curved sops Malerne made. However, another one came up on Ebay after I bought mine. I tried to get that one, too, but the seller and I couldn't agree on price. I got a catalog for Malerne from the Shrine to Music Museum in South Dakota. From this catalog, I learned that, at one time--I'm not sure when--Malerne was marketing based on price. The quality-for-less pitch. Malerne appeared to be sort of a Noblet, which is also located in La Couture. However, I can tell you that the Malerne horn I got is a pro horn in every way. An absolute pleasure to play. Big, rich tone. Powerful, yet subtle when you want it to be. And this is the best part--it plays in tune better than any soprano I've played. That includes about a dozen different makes. So now I have what I view as a companion to my SML alto. If you like curved sopranos and can find a Malerne, get it. You won't be disappointed. Fred
saxaholic11 User ID: 0101764	Jan 26th 1:41 PM just got my malerne curved and it is very nice playing/sounding indeed. great flexibility also and comfortable keywork. also love the high f modern touch key as well. one thing i do not get though is why did fred ciccetti sell his after the glowing reports he gave of his own here.??
Fred Cicetti User ID: 7426893	Jan 27th 9:53 AM I sold the Malerne curved soprano on Ebay because my taste changed. I've played a bunch of sopranos and owned five, including two incredible SML straight sops. Gradually, I became disenchanted with the soprano sound. It just sounds to damn high and unpleasant to me now, even when produced by the best players. I found that I was never playing the Malerne. I'm just a passionate amateur, so I don't need a closet-full of horns for gigs. My Malerne was purchased by Mark Vinci, a top pro in the New York. He loves the horn and thinks it's the best sop he ever played. I'm really happy that it's being used by someone who appreciates it. Those people out in La Couture really know how to make saxophones.