SML Paris - About us?

A Century of History

At the beginning of 1935, the company Strasser Marigaux Lemaire, more commonly known as SML, was born, founded by 3 friends with complementary skills. Jules Marigaux; a musical instrument maker, trained at Buffet Crampon. Charles Strasser, a merchant, and Mr. Lemaire holding the position of manager.

By 1937, during the Universal Exhibition of Paris, SML started being noticed for the quality of its instruments. One year later, the brand released its first saxophone model: the "Révision A". The model became a hit with SML PARIS producing over 4,500 of them. SML PARIS was also quickly recognized for the high quality of its oboes, designed by Marigaux. Eager to position itself in several categories of instruments, SML acquired several brands, including Louis Lot (inventor of the modern flute) in 1951.

 



 As jazz music started to travel across the Atlantic in 1945,  so to did American jazz musicians who quickly succumbed to the charms of these instruments, establishing a solid reputation for the brand in the United States. Great names like Coleman Hawkins or Carmen Leggio became ambassadors for the brand with the "big bell."

The "Révision D" and "Gold Medal" models brought the French brand its finest hours, thanks to their mechanical comfort and an incomparable sound color.

 

Around 30,000 saxophones were produced by the SML PARIS factory. The "King Marigaux" of 1982 would be the firm's final model. With strong national and international competition in the segment, the brand decided to refocus on the production of oboes and clarinets.

 

After the deaths of his colleagues, Strasser sold the SML company in 1975 to an American group, with activities being separated into two entities. Marigaux focused on oboe manufacturing, while SML handled the distribution of other families of musical instruments. It wasn't until 2010, with SML's integration into the ALGAM group, that the brand resumed its manufacturing activity.

 

SML Paris Today:

The range of SML Paris instruments today boasts over 40 models. The entire spectrum of wind instruments is represented, from flute to tuba, including clarinet and brass instruments.

SML Paris's goal is to make quality instruments accessible to as many people as possible. Thus, SML instruments are suitable for beginners and casual musicians, as well as more experienced musicians looking to spend reasonable amounts on their instruments. Over the years, SML Paris has developed a deep understanding of musicians' needs and desires. Combined with its nearly century-old experience in wind instrument manufacturing, SML Paris has the expertise necessary to guarantee the best quality at an affordable price.

 

 

 



 

SML PARIS products are designed and developed in France at our headquarters in Thouaré-sur-Loire. Before shipment to retailers, each instrument is inspected by our technicians to ensure their quality.

The workshop has direct access to a multitude of spare parts, thus minimizing any potential after-sales service delays.

All our instruments come with a full 5-year warranty and are delivered with a BG accessories pack.