[SaxColossusJR]

what does SMS mean? thanks

 

[TJS]

I don't know what the initials stand for but it signifies a medium facing length.

 

[Mike F]

what does SMS mean? thanks

It means Short Medium Short. M means Medium, but SMS and M pieces have a different facing curve from each other. Can't remember what the difference is.

 

[MojoBari]

I have never been able to tell by measuring them. The letters seem to be stamped at random on them. I've seen plenty of SMSs that measure longer than the Ms.

 

[Mike F]

Mojo,

I can't remember the details but I was told that the SMS and M pieces had different kinds of curve on them ie one had a parabolic curve, and the other one a different sort or curve.
Having said that, most Bergs I've seen have been so badly finished that I think that's probably just the theory!
During the late 90's while they were still made in the UK, you could put a new Berg, table down, on a flat piece of glass and spin it - the whole table was curved that much!!

 

[MojoBari]

I just fixed one last night that had a convex table like you described. Otherwise it had a fairly nice facing.

 

[Sigmund451]

Mojo is right. My SMS is not a short facing by any stretch. Its pretty long and has a deep and lush bottom end.

 

[gearaholic]

Berg claims that "SMS" is their "French" facing and "M" is their "American" facing. Whatever that means, the SMS is supposed to be shorter and the M is supposed to be longer. The M's feel pretty long to me. I've never tried an SMS, but I'd probably like them better (this is on alto, by the way). When Theo Wanne's website was up, he had a good explanation. Maybe he'll put that information on his new website, also. Anyway, here's Berg's explanation:

http://www.berglarsen.com/choosemps.htm

--JT

 

[gearaholic]

I forgot to point out that I agree with others, most of this gets thrown out with Berg's quality control. So, you might as well try some of both and go with the one closest to what you dig. Then have it refaced.

--JT