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The SML Standard Models

These horns are "intermediate" horns that SML produced. They have a very different set of engraving, rather similar to the Super model, and may lack the brace under the neck that is found on most of the "pro" line SML's.

Recently, I found a stunning s/n 79xx Standard horn. This horn has all the tooling of a Rev. B horn (keyguards, etc.), but it's serial number is smack in the Rev. C era -- by a rather wide margin (remember, in SML terms, 200 horns could be an entire year's worth of production). This seems to indicate that the Standard used the older pro model SML's tooling, similar to what Buescher did with their Elkhart line - and unlike what Conn did with their stencil lines, some Standards DO have rolled tone holes.

So, in other words, if it was 1959 and the Gold Medal was available, the 1959 Standard model would look exactly like -- and have all the features of -- a Rev. D.

Indications are very good that there are no Standard baris or sopranos.

Around 202xx there seems to have been a consolidation of the model types that SML offered and, probably due to financial considerations, the Standard model disappeared -- and rolled tone holes disappeared from ALL SML models and stencils.

I changed the starting serial number for this series of horns because I found this ad on the website for Wichita Band Instruments:

SML, #5254 (1950-1952?), standard alto, exactly like #5003, but the bell engraved "SML Standard", plus logo and address. Acquired by us with a gaggle of other French saxes, this one's a clean example that needs to be padded. Now "on the back burner" 'cause #5003 is just like and ready today. Could be made ready in a week or less. New case, no major damage anywhere.

Anyhow, the s/n 5003 horn that they were advertising is not EXACTLY an SML Standard for one major reason: it doesn't have that engraved on the bell.

NOTE that Rick Mussi has found a horn labelled "Modele Standard" from the Rev. A era (s/n 2355). This horn has rolled tone holes and probably shouldn't be considered a Standard model. Please see my notes on Rev. A model horns and their interesting naming schemes.

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