
A century of history
At the beginning of 1935, the Strasser Marigaux Lemaire company, more commonly known as SML, was born, founded by 3 friends with complementary expertise. Jules Marigaux is a musical instrument maker, trained at Buffet Crampon. Charles Strasser is a merchant and Mr. Lemaire serves as manager.
As early as 1937 during the Universal Exhibition in Paris, SML stood out for the quality of its instruments. 1 year later, the brand released its first saxophone model: the “Revision A”. The French firm will produce 4,500. SML PARIS is also quickly recognized for the high quality of its oboes, designed by Marigaux. Eager to position itself in several categories of instruments, SML purchased several brands including Louis Lot (inventor of the modern flute) in 1951.
From 1945, jazz crossed the Atlantic and American musicians passing through France succumbed to the charms of these instruments and forged a solid reputation for the brand in the United States. Big names like Coleman Hawkins or Carmen Leggio will be the brand ambassadors at the “big pavilion”. The "Revision D" and "Gold Medal" models will give the French brand its finest hours, thanks to their mechanical comfort and an inimitable sound color. Some 30,000 saxophones will leave the SML PARIS factory. The "King Marigaux" from 1982 will be the firm's last model. With strong national and international competition in the segment, the brand decided to refocus on the production of oboes and clarinets.
After the death of his friends, Strasser sold the SML company in 1975 to an American group, the activities were separated into two entities. Marigaux focuses on the manufacturing of oboes and SML on the distribution of other families of musical instruments. It was in 2010 with the integration of SML into the ALGAM group that the brand resumed its manufacturing activity.
SML Paris today:
The range of SML Paris instruments now includes more than 40 models. The entire range of wind instruments is represented, from the flute to the tuba, including the clarinet and orderly instruments.
The desire of SML Paris is to allow as many people as possible to afford a quality instrument. Thus, SML instruments will be suitable for beginners and occasional musicians, but also for more experienced musicians wishing to spend reasonable sums on their instrument. Over the years SML Paris has developed a perfect knowledge of the needs and desires of musicians. Added to its almost centuries-old experience in wind instrument manufacturing, SML Paris has the necessary expertise to guarantee the best quality at an affordable price.
SML PARIS products are designed and developed in France in our head office in Thouaré-sur-Loire (44). Before shipping to resellers, each instrument is checked by our technicians to ensure their quality.
The Workshop has direct access to a multitude of spare parts, thereby reducing possible after-sales service times as much as possible.
All our instruments are covered by a full 5-year warranty and come with a BG accessory pack.