SML Gold Medal II, 24xxx, eBay

[Woolp]

http://cgi.ebay.ch/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180266282469

It's a relac, isn't it? The horn was made in 1974/1975. Is it less valuable than a Rev. D or Gold Medal I from the fifties? What do you think about stripping the lacquer - what would the brass look like? Do you know anything about it's sound compared to earlier models?

[Saxland]

I dunno, but have you seen the SML section at saxpics?

http://www.saxpics.com/?v=mod&modID=70

http://www.saxpics.com/?v=man&manID=19

[Woolp]

Yes, I have, thanks anyway!
I was looking for some opinions on the quality of the late models.

[hafuch]

To answer your question, the quality of SML's later, GM2 and King Marigaux models is equal to that of its earlier, Rev. D and GM1 models. The only difference (aside from engraving) is that the KM/GM2 models lack the rolled tone holes and, from what I have heard (but have not personally verified), that some of the KM/GM2 models toward the end of the run may lack some adjustment screws for the upper and lower stacks.

While the adjustment screws are a nice benefit, they will not affect playability per se; rather, they do facilitate maintenance and the ease with which you can keep the horn in good adjustment. They are more of a convenience than a critical factor influencing playability (i.e., sound, intonation, ergonomics, etc.).

Regarding the rolled tone holes, the jury is still out on whether they influence the horn's sound; some say they do, some say they don't. You'll have to decide that. They do, however, leave less of a groove in your pad, which may contribute to longer pad life, though with the quality of today's pads (unlike those of yesteryear) and the wide availability of suitably qualified sax techs, this may no longer be as significant a benefit as it perhaps once was. Now whether rolled tone holes seal better than straight tone holes is debatable as well: some say the increased surface area of the rolled tone hole contacts the pad over a larger surface area, thus providing a better seal over the tone hole. Others maintain that less surface area will help the pad seal better because it distributes the same amount of downward pressure over a smaller area, thus providing a tighter seal. I am personally aware of no studies that have explored this issue in detail, so I really can't answer the question definitively.

What I CAN tell you is that the rolled tone hole is harder to manufacture and therefore suggests something of the quality of the instrument and of the care and attention to detail that went into the manufacturing process. This unarguably attests to the superb quality of the horns SML produced across the entire range of production. That said, Selmer lovers will be quick to point out that Selmer saxes never featured rolled tone holes, and I think few would contest the undeniable quality of Selmer horns -- especially during the SBA and MK6 runs. Other superb horns that never featured rolled tone holes would include Bueschers, Martins (but theirs were beveled), Kings, and a whole host of others. In fact, with a few possible exceptions, the only major sax manufacturer (at least that easily comes to mind) that used rolled tone holes on their saxes is Conn.

One item to note, however; most any sax tech will admit that repairing uneven or damaged rolled tone holes is considerably more difficult if one aims to preserve the integrity of the rolled tone hole. This could conceivably add to repair concerns and costs should a damaged rolled tone hole require serious repair. This is something to consider, and is a central argument of those who favor straight over rolled tone holes. I personally prefer rolled tone holes, and I know that many others do too (which is why SMLs with rolled tone holes generally sell for considerably more than do their straight-tone-holed siblings), but I also recognize that the issue certainly has two sides to it, that is all.

In brief, SML models from Rev D/GM1 through GM2/KM are identical in virtually every way but engraving. This conclusion enjoys the support of measurement data as well as personal playing experience.

If the KM model you are looking at is otherwise in decent, playable condition, it should be a fine choice. I hope this answer is helpful to you and to others visiting this forum.

Good luck.