STRASSER MARIGAUX DE LA VILLETTE ALTO SAXOPHONE
MADE IN PARIS FRANCE AND CARRYING CASE
THIS IS A LOVELY USED SAXOPHONE MADE BY SML...( SEE INFO BELOW ABOUT THE COMPANY )
THE SAX IS IN GOOD CONDITION, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN THE CASE WHICH COMES WITH THE SAX. IT IS SHINEY AND NICELY ENGRAVED. I KNOW LITTLE OF SAXOPHONES, THIS WAS NOT MINE , SO I TOOK IT TO A MUSIC STORE YESTERDAY. THEY TOLD ME THE PADS HAD BEEN REPLACED AND WERE GOOD . HE SAID THIS WAS A GOOD SAXOPHONE. IT IS NOT DINGED UP , GENTLE USE, NICE FINISH.
THE CASE IS A HARD LEATHER SAXOPHONE CASE ALL LINED WITH SOFT MATERIAL AND 3 LATCHES AND A STRONG HANDLE. LOCAL PICKUP OK OR I WILL SHIP ASAP..
PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOS AS I AM NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE REF YOUR QUESTIONS;
THE SERIAL NO IS 14840... ALL THE INFO AND FEATURES BELOW COMES FROM THE SML SITE REF. THIS SAX , MADE IN ( APPROX ) 1956
The 22 mechanical features SML boasted about were:
1. Removable neck lock. A 4-slot ring exerts an even pressure on neck without leakage.
2. Improved octave key features a bearing-type, rocker-arm mechanism for faster action. Facilitates wide jumps and assures a full-bodied middle D, especially on tenor.
3. All screws are made of first-grade tool steel. Pivot screws are hardened to blue grade for long life.
4. All key mechanisms are hand forged.
5. Individual screw adjustments permit perfect key alignment.
6. Properly cupped pearl buttons are scientifically located to encourage flying fingers.
7. Ribs of key cups (tone hole covers) reinforce entire cup diameter.
8. D, D# and F keys are mounted on a single plate for security of posts in fastest passages.
9. Main actions are anchored to a single plate for greater strength.
10. Optional articulation feature with adjustable G# lock permits both group and individual execution of G# to C#, B-Bb. Makes entire action easier!
11. Side and main action rods are hand-ground ("swedged") for precision fit.
12. Set-screw adjustment for G# key.
13. Extra large (6¬") bell (tenor only) affords unusual carrying power and clear, pure pianissimo.
14. Set screw permits a better adjustment on lever that operates Bb key.
15. Clothes guard on back of instrument eliminates possibility of catching clothes under keys.
16. Entire bell, from opening to bow, is exquisitely hand-engraved.
17. Removable key guards allow easy access to low pads.
18. Low B and Bb handle smoothly because of special SML jam-proof rollers.
19. Drawn tone holes with precision-rolled thin-gauge edges allow maximum air passage without leakage or cutting of pads.
20. Adjustable bumper felt pads to permit tuning adjustments on low B, Bb, C and Eb.
21. Brilliantly hand-burnished from bell to neck. Protectively coated with a flawless lacquer finish applied by the exclusive Multi-Coat Process.
22. Precise intonation in the entire range!
My personal experience and comments I've gotten from knowledgeable saxophone players indicate that SML saxophones are among the best ever made.
Strasser Marigaux & Lemaire was founded in 1934 by three partners: Charles Strasser, a businessman who was born in Switzerland; Marigaux, an instrument maker who trained at Buffet-Crampon, where his father was "premier ouvrier," and Lemaire.
After the death of Lemaire many years ago, Strasser and Marigaux bought their partner's shares and the company became known as "Strasser-Marigaux." Marigaux died in the early 1970s, leaving Strasser the sole owner of the company. Strasser then sold SML (it continues to use these initials) to a holding company -- Strasser-Marigaux S.A..
Since its earliest days, SML has been known for its oboes. Marigaux was considered one of the world's best oboe-makers. The company made a broad line of woodwinds that once also included saxophones, flutes and bassoons.
SML began making saxophones when the company was founded -- two years before Selmer introduced its revolutionary Balanced Action saxophone. SML ceased production of saxes in 1982; at the time, the company was making 400 saxes a year. It was also selling saxes to King Musical Instruments, which marketed them under the name,"King Marigaux." A company spokesperson said SML stopped making saxophones because "we just couldn't compete with Selmer anymore."
"Rev. D" Models (s/n 83xx to 156xx). These are essentially the final evolution of the Rev. C models: all horns had set-screw adjustments for the upper and lower stack (as well as adjustable-height felts for the bell keys) that continued throughout the Gold Medal era. There are also slight engraving differences between these and the Rev. C horns.
The company maintains offices and workshops in Paris, and a manufacturing plant in La Couture Boussey, 100 kilometers west of the city, a region famous for making woodwinds. The company now has 60 employees.
http://www.geocities.com/harrir/sml/thestory.html MORE INFO ON SML'S
LOCAL PICKUP OK. ( HENDERSON / LAS VEGAS )
SHIPPING TO QUOTE IS TO THE LOWER 48 STATES, NOT HAWAII OR ALASKA.
IF NO CONTACT OR RESPONSE IN 3 DAYS, I WILL CONTACT THE SECOND HIGHEST BIDDER. I MUST RECEIVE PAYMENT WITH IN 7 DAYS.
PLEASE Check out my other items!.
On Sep-03-08 at 06:41:39 PDT, seller added the following information:I WAS NOTIFIED BY A VIEWER THAT SEEMED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SAXAPHONES THAN I DO, THAT THE 22 FEATURES MENTIONED WERE USED ONLY ON THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL. PLEASE BE ADVISED TO VIEW CAREFULLY AND BID ON WHAT YOU CAN SEE, AS I DO NOT WANT TO MISREPRESENT ANY THING . I WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE THE AD ITSELF BECAUSE A BID HAD BEEN PLACED. I WAS ONLY ALLOWED TO ADD THIS ADDITIONAL INFO.
On Sep-03-08 at 06:52:14 PDT, seller added the following information:I HAVE MADE A QUOTE ON EMAIL ANSWERS POSTED HERE THAT WERE BASED ON THE SAXPOHONE AND NOT THE CASE. I HAVE WRITTEN THE PEOPLE THAT INQUIRED TO CORRECT IT. PLEASE BE ADVISED SHIPPING WOULD BE :
TO AUSTRALIA ... $81. 00.......TO BRAZIL .. $72.. .....PLEASE WRITE ME FOR ANY QUOTES ON SHIPPING..THANKS. OR YOU CAN CHECK WITH THE EBAY SHIPPING CHART.... WEIGHT ....16 LBS.... 26 IN. X 13 IN. X 7 INCHES.....