Alto With Laquer body/ nickle keys,value?

[tsaxy]

Just aquired a Gold Medal alto (MKI I believe) #19,095. Had it to my tech to adjust left pinky stack. He noted the silver (nickle) keys and said it was a student horn, as most student horns have nickle keys.
Is this true? It does say Gold Medal on the bell. The horn does not play like a student model...it screams. It is like new, mint condition. Is this horn of less value than one that does not have nickle keys? I traded for it so don't know actual dollar value.

Thanks

[HonestLiar]

Don't get confused by someone who doesn't know SML's: you've definitely got a pro model. Most manufacturers use nickle keys only on student horns, but this is not the case with SML. Gold Medal stays Gold Medal even if there is some nickle on it.

[aanz]

SML offered the Two-Tone model (nickle keys/brass body) as an option, just like silverplate. Same horn, different finish.

[tsaxy]

Thank you both for setting me straight. I did find a sentence or two about the two tone SML model, either on this site or SaxPic's Site. (can't remember). The author said back then it was a few bucks more than a standard lacquer horn.
My repair tech is young and did not even know of SML, but upon inspection of my SML was amazed at the quality, despite the two tone finish.

Thanks

[ProfessorZeek]

how much did you get your gold medal alto for?

[tsaxy]

Cklee,
It's hard to know what how much in dollars I paid. I aquired this horn with a two for one swap with a very good friend. I am a tenor player and use the alto sparingly. My friend is a alto player and suggested I take his SML GM alto and a "THE MARTIN" tenor he had. I gave him a MKVI alto I had. I used a value of $1500. on the SML alto and about $700. on the Martin in figuring the trade. The thing being is that I also play a SML GM tenor and now have a pair of SMLs. All these horns mentioned are in top condition and appearance. ( I had $1500. in the MKVI)

I don't know if I could get $1500. for this SML alto in a strajhgt up sale,as SMLs are way undervalued. More likely $1000. in todays market.

Hope this gives you an idea of value. In the end , it is what a buyer and seller agree upon.

[Paul Coats]

You can find Selmer Mk VI's with nickle keys. They were sold in Europe, not the USA. Check out the tenor Dexter Gordon played in the movie Round Midnight. Your tech is unfamiliar with SML, or older pro horns in general.

At one time this was considered a pro feature, so that pads could be "burned in" or heat stabilized quickly, without burning lacquer. The early lacquers would not stand up to flame heat like modern lacquers.