SML Five Star Soprano Clarinet
This right here is the winner. Without equivocation I can say that this is the best professional clarinet I have ever overhauled or played. The enormity of the tone, the immediacy of the response, the free blowing feel are all leagues beyond anything else I have experienced. Many of you know that I a partial to SML's, so you would not be remiss to think I am biased, however, I have no investment in inflating the reputation of SML, I am simply stating my emotional response to playing this horn after the Full Mechanical Overhaul. Sometimes after an overhaul you have to do quite a bit of fine detailing to get everything out of the instrument that you believe is there. It's a normal and important part of the process. But there are other times when the playtest is over in seconds. Just like when you find a mouthpiece you know is perfect; it takes seconds. I actually cussed after blowing this horn for under minute. The intonation is spot on throughout. The throat tones are full, especially the notorious Bb. The tone is so beautiful. Man, SML did it again. I mean, I didn't even have to make any adjustments to the left hand spatulas, they are perfect. That has never happened. I love you SML.
See a the whole slide show here.
This right here is the winner. Without equivocation I can say that this is the best professional clarinet I have ever overhauled or played. The enormity of the tone, the immediacy of the response, the free blowing feel are all leagues beyond anything else I have experienced. Many of you know that I a partial to SML's, so you would not be remiss to think I am biased, however, I have no investment in inflating the reputation of SML, I am simply stating my emotional response to playing this horn after the Full Mechanical Overhaul. Sometimes after an overhaul you have to do quite a bit of fine detailing to get everything out of the instrument that you believe is there. It's a normal and important part of the process. But there are other times when the playtest is over in seconds. Just like when you find a mouthpiece you know is perfect; it takes seconds. I actually cussed after blowing this horn for under minute. The intonation is spot on throughout. The throat tones are full, especially the notorious Bb. The tone is so beautiful. Man, SML did it again. I mean, I didn't even have to make any adjustments to the left hand spatulas, they are perfect. That has never happened. I love you SML.
See a the whole slide show here.
