Relac Selmer SBA alto

[Saxaholic]

Thinking about grabbing a Relac'd SBA alto. I know the Relac lowers its value, but how might it affect its own sound?

How are the SBA's known as far as intonation and richness of tone? Is there a common consenses of a nice mouthpiece selection?

[mbarnard]

I have a relacquered SBA alto, and have had the opportunity to compare it to a original finish SBA alto, both in excellent shape. Both horns were made within a couple of years of each other. Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference between the two. These horns are heavily built, and the person who did the relacquer job on my horn must have taken some care, because the engraving still looks pretty good.

As far as intonation goes, the middle D on these horns is fairly sharp (moreso than a modern alto). I've put a cork crescent in the lower C tone hole to help bring the intonation to a manageable level (the original finish horn had the same intonation issue). The palm keys are also sharp, although more manageable than the middle D, which really sticks out.

IMHO, relacquers are great! Provided that the work is done well (check the tone holes), I don't think it has ANY effect on the horn, except for the price! I play a Morgan 5M and a Selmer Soloist D (new version), both of which work well with the horn. Hope this helps,

Mike Barnard

[Demolisher_2000]

It is supposed to change the darkness of the horn or something. Because when you relaquer, you must buff it first to take off the reminents of the last peices of laquer. This process takes off some metal which will affect brightness.
Someone correct me if Im wrong. :?

[Grumps]

Years ago I was given an SBA alto which had been relacquered by its prior owner. I know the tech who did the job, and it was such a nice job that its lighter color is really the only clear giveaway that it had been relacquered. This area is by the water, and the tech in question believes that relacquering is a necessary evil for these parts. I'm not sure I subscribe to that belief, but I recently playtested this horn alongside every new make out there; as well as some other vintage altos. There was nothing that compared to the richness of its sound; not even the VI's I tried. My relacquered SBA played similar to, if not exactly like another SBA alto which was an old silver plated model I tried. I was actually going to dump this horn until I compared it to those others. I was upset with its low B gurgle, but I've since had that corrected with a baffle set in the bow.

I've found that larger chambered mouthpieces that fit farther down on the cork for proper intonation play better on my SBA. Make sure you test the low B; especially at soft volume.

[Saxaholic]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

You're wisdom is endless and appreciated!!

Saxaholic