WhisprnJohn
05-29-2004, 09:59 AM
Three days ago the unthinkable happened: My treasured Mk VI (complete with JJ ESP) was stolen from my car. During my frenzied search to find something to replace it with a local sax teacher mentioned that he knew someone who might have a good SML tenor for sale and that I should check it out as he thought they were good horns. Being a Sax On The Web insomniac I had read all the SML posts already, so I had to see if these horns were as good as everyone seemed to think. Well, I am now the proud owner of a Gold Medal two-tone in superb condition, rolled tone holes and all. What a horn! The owner had a beautiful five digit Mk VI (not for sale) that he let me play for comparison and I have to say that the sound of the SML was amazing! As powerful and robust as everyone says. The upper end of the horn made the Selmer seem a little thin, and the bottom end is rich and effortless, like the old Martin I played in high school. The keywork is very good, and obviously a lot of thought and care went into the design and manufacture of these things. In my opinion a pro horn by any measure.
So are they as good as a Selmer? Well, time will tell. There is a feel to the Selmer action that I don't quite get here, and certainly the left hand table keys will take a bit of getting used to. Hard to say for sure after only one afternoon with both of them, but perhaps the Selmer is capable of a bit more tonal variation or range of "color". On the other hand, I had twenty years to learn what I could get out of my VI, and this new romance has only started.
So for anyone considering the purchase of one of these, I would say if the horn is in good shape don't hesitate - you will get a great and unusual horn that you can play anywhere for (in my case) half the price of a run of the mill high mileage Selmer.
Thanks to all of you power posters on this forum and to Harry for getting Sax on The Web going in the first place - it has been invaluable to me!
So are they as good as a Selmer? Well, time will tell. There is a feel to the Selmer action that I don't quite get here, and certainly the left hand table keys will take a bit of getting used to. Hard to say for sure after only one afternoon with both of them, but perhaps the Selmer is capable of a bit more tonal variation or range of "color". On the other hand, I had twenty years to learn what I could get out of my VI, and this new romance has only started.
So for anyone considering the purchase of one of these, I would say if the horn is in good shape don't hesitate - you will get a great and unusual horn that you can play anywhere for (in my case) half the price of a run of the mill high mileage Selmer.
Thanks to all of you power posters on this forum and to Harry for getting Sax on The Web going in the first place - it has been invaluable to me!