[Jazz Is All]

Are the SML silver Super model Altos any good? Particularly the Super 47 model? How much are they worth or should one expect to pay for one.....assuming one can be found? I ask because I read something about these models somwhere but don't know how accurate the info was. Thanks.

 

[Hassles]

I "ever so reluctantly" let a ready to play SML Super 47 slip by recently as I had just paid for a Kohlert 57 tenor and mid-50s Hohner President alto. The cost for the 47 was a grand eg: $1000AUD - I thought it would fetch double. IF had even suspected it could have been mine for that cost it would have been BUT...VERY soon I will need to find that grand for the restoration of my SML Super 44 expected complete in six weeks. Many will espouse the virtues of SML but you will need to dig deep to find detractors. Some simply do not appreciate the 'French' sound'. Ergonomically they are good, intonation is also good, build quality is also good as is the resale value. Matt Stohrer has a great repairmans review of a Coleman Hawkins special SML which is worthy of the viewing

 

[Jazz Is All]

I asked because last week there was an alto Super 47 one on Ebay here in Spain and France in playing condition according to the seller. It sold for all of 679 euros, which sounds like a fantastic price. I would have loved to try for it but I am totally tapped out. I did alert a friend here on SOTW who also lives in Spain and is a big SML devotee. I don't know if he got it or not. There were 64 bids on it, obviously most for very little as it started at 1 euro and I saw it at 266 euros.

 

[ZootTheSim]

I had just paid for a Kohlert 57 tenor and mid-50s Hohner President alto.

Hassles, how do you like your Kohlert and Hohner so far? I have tenor and alto Bixley stencils that are very fun, though the tenor is mouthpiece-picky. I've been interested in some time in the President tenors, which are said to have a fantastic tone, but haven't heard much about the altos.

 

[B Flat]

I’d go as far as to say that all SML saxophones are excellent.
I still have my old Rev A alto and prefer it to my Yanagisawa 991 in many ways.

 

[Hassles]

Hassles, how do you like your Kohlert and Hohner so far? I have tenor and alto Bixley stencils that are very fun, though the tenor is mouthpiece-picky. I've been interested in some time in the President tenors, which are said to have a fantastic tone, but haven't heard much about the altos.

The Hohner is expected to arrive TODAY and the Kohlert has just cleared customs here in Melbourne this morning. I will answer questions next week )))
BTW - the Hohnerm, if it shapes up well I will gift to a local young, highly motivated and exceedingly talented musician (to whom I gave the G.H.Huller tenor)_ who wants to add alto to her arsenal

 

[Hassles]

Hassles, how do you like your Kohlert and Hohner so far? I have tenor and alto Bixley stencils that are very fun, though the tenor is mouthpiece-picky. I've been interested in some time in the President tenors, which are said to have a fantastic tone, but haven't heard much about the altos.

OK - well the little President arrived today from Germany via an estate sale via Ebay and.....lots of dimples on the neck, low C# bent 'but' strangely enough sealing, old pads hardened, neck cork mostly gone, metal Berg Larsen mouthpiece with uneven rails adhered to whatever cork remained but.....it plays )) Its gonna' need a re-pad to be its best but it plays. The little President certainly has some weight, as opposed to my light Conn Director, and it has a rich resonant voice which speaks with confidence. If you like bright - articulate this may be too dark for you but...it expresses itself without apology and indeed speaks proudly.

Overall the sax is in pretty good shape physically but **** - for those of you who've never played one I suggest you buy beg or borrow one at the earliest convenience and experience this for yourself. I should not be so surprised because I have a tenor president and yes I think if you like one you will equally like the other. It's gonna' be hard to part with this but I sourced this for someone I consider more worthy than myself. Oh **** again - I'm gonna' hunt one down for me ;-) This little alto has no additional high F# palm key (as my later model tenor has) but who cares......I just want one for me ))) Max (Keilwerth) was marvelous

 

[Hassles]

One of German sax mad friends has recommended these...

https://www.claripad.de/english/

He has just purchased a set for his Hohner President and these pads have impressed his technician so I think I will follow his advice.

 

[Hassles]

Might also order a 2nd set for the SML Super 44 my tech is about to start on.

 

[Hassles]

Hassles, how do you like your Kohlert and Hohner so far? I have tenor and alto Bixley stencils that are very fun, though the tenor is mouthpiece-picky. I've been interested in some time in the President tenors, which are said to have a fantastic tone, but haven't heard much about the altos.

The Kohlert 57 arrived today from the USA to Australia without a case. After careful unpacking and equally careful inspection I noted flattened pads, plastic Kohlert banded MP attached to the neck. The neck tenon was way too tight in the tenor receiver. A clean and a drop of oil failed to fix things. Both the neck tenon and tenor receiver were inspected and no issues found. I reached for a small swab of fine steelwool and gently ran this around the neck tenon and problem solved. I had an old HR Buescher style piece with a broad chamber (I had previously refaced), a 2.5 Rico Royale and BG Duo ligature. GREAT player, my fingers readily fell to the touch pieces and while the pads were flattened they didn't require too much extra effort to effect a seal. The Kohlert MP reduced volume and was a tad stuffy by comparison to the Buescher style (unbranded HR) piece. Early days yet but I found the 57 to be quite obliging speaking with authority if desired or playing quietly. I didn't think I would gel with this horn quite so readily but it most definitely put a smile upon my face. In view of the world's current state of madness I would like to enquire - anybody know where I can buy an ultraviolet leak light ;-)

Bonus: the 57 actually fits into a spare case I had that none of the other tenor will slip into - the only exception being an old Rampone & Cazzani FISM DeLuxe.