1953 Rev D alto - what pads and resos?

[SteveS]

Hello SML'ers! I have just acquired a 1953 Rev D alto -- looks gold plated. The pads are old and shot, and they have undersized (washer-sized) metal resos. The palm keys have NO resos -- not even a rivet.

Needless to say, I'm going for an immediate repad. Anyone know what the original resonators were on this vintage? Any experiences -- good or bad? Recommendations?

Thanks!

SteveS

[JMac]

Hey again, Steve-

Gold plated - man you got a deal! Hard to tell in the pictures, because these horns had a real dark lacquer - but I don't see any lacquer wear (or sparkling, even) in the sellers photos (maybe a hint on the long rods in one picture?). Is it worn through to the silver base anywhere? Looks like it must have been a real closet horn.

How does it play on the old pads?

I can't tell you what the originals should have been, but my Rev. D came with oversized flat metal resonators with a rivet in the center (with fairly puffy, soft pads). The palm keys only have rivets in them. With the way you play, and the reputation of the SML's as being a little more 'lush' than the same period VI's, I would go with the oversized flat metal reso's (with or w/o rivets) and some semi-hard leather or goatskin pads. I think that the harder pad you choose, the more important it may become to be certain the toneholes are absolutely level - to get the best seal. In any event, I think that would give you the projection I hear in your sound without sacrificing the big bottom end these horns are supposed to posess.

You may want to PM Sarge - as he seems to have worked on more than a few SML's. Maybe Pete would know, but I didn't find it anywhere on his site.

Are you taking this one to Steve F? I like his work so much, it is hard for me to try someone else...

Keep us updated! - Jeff

[honkytone]

Well, two years and several SMLs later, I have a similar question. Just picked up an early, crusty "Rev. D" alto that I'm sure has original pads. They look exactly like Conn Res-o-Pads, very square around the outer edges, overlapping the key cups, with good sized riveted metal resonators. Haven't removed any pads yet but wanted to ask if anyone's seen the same thing. Maybe they were going for the old Conn vibe with rolled toneholes and res-o-pads?

[pth]

I also have a Rev D. alto (which is in very good physical condition), but which needs pads. The ones that are on now are certainly not original, and are fat and puffy like marshmellows. Until I get the horn repadded, I will have no idea what it really sounds like (and it already sounds good, even as it is). So are you suggesting that Conn reso-pads (whatever they are) are equivalent? If so, would a tech have easy access to this kind of pad?

[honkytone]

On a closer look this morning, the pads don't actually seem to overlap the rim of the key cup the way Conn Res-o-Pads do. But the outer edge of the pad is very squarish--I have to think there's some sort of large washer underneath the leather. Certainly, though, with the rolled toneholes, res-o-pads—which are readily available through Music Medic—would be a good choice. I think they'd look and function more like these pads than anything else on the market. I will try to take some close-up pics of these original pads, and maybe even take one apart and post the results. This horn is in the 9XXX serial range, btw, don't have the exact number handy.

[pth]

Thanks for looking into this. Mine is a 12xxx. I picked it up a couple of years ago. Played it for my teacher (a 70-something jazz alto player). His comment, "Rabbit" - meaning that the tone reminded him of Johnny Hodges.

[honkytone]

Here's some pics showing what I'm looking at. Am thinking maybe these are ancient reso-o-pads someone replaced the originals with. They definitely have metal washers under the leather. There's a letter "N" (or "Z") branded into the leather of the bell key pads, no idea where that comes from. These otherwise really do seem like Conn resos, but I find it hard to believe SML would have used them at the factory. The lower stack keys on this horn have them also and there they really look original. Who knows?

http://home.ca.rr.com/honkytone/smlpads.jpg

[honkytone]

OK, just removed one of those bell key pads and it's a genuine Conn res-o-pad. I can't imagine that was a stock pad in a French alto, but rather someone likely used it later on as a replacement to match the .160" thickness of the stock pads.

[ccsraj]

Here's some pics showing what I'm looking at. Am thinking maybe these are ancient reso-o-pads someone replaced the originals with. They definitely have metal washers under the leather. There's a letter "N" (or "Z") branded into the leather of the bell key pads, no idea where that comes from. These otherwise really do seem like Conn resos, but I find it hard to believe SML would have used them at the factory. The lower stack keys on this horn have them also and there they really look original. Who knows?

http://home.ca.rr.com/honkytone/smlpads.jpg

I dont know but the picture is amazing.More pictures on it.

[hornimprovement]

I overhauled one of these a while back with flat brass resotechs and black roo pads which worked rather well. It was an exceptionally responsive alto.