Saxophones Grafton, who knows more about it?

[thomsax]

You've obviously never played one.

Off topic. I've never played one, but I was close to buy one (unplayable) the other year. What makes the Grafton saxes bad?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Off topic. I've never played one, but I was close to buy one (unplayable) the other year. What makes the Grafton saxes bad?

They are very fragile, mine is one of the least damaged ones I've ever soon, most have cracks here and there.

I have a soundclip that compares the Grafton to a Buescher, alternating choruses starting with the Buescher:

.

 

[saxyjt]

Off topic. I've never played one, but I was close to buy one (unplayable) the other year. What makes the Grafton saxes bad?

From what I read, they are un-repairable! 🙁

 

[kevgermany]

From what I read, they are un-repairable! 🙁

I believe this was written after @Stephen Howard overhauled Pete's:

The Naked Grafton

 

[Pete Thomas]

All you need do is find a good tech who hasn't yet had the experience of working on one, and then hope for the best.

 

[rhysonsax]

They are very fragile, mine is one of the least damaged ones I've ever soon, most have cracks here and there.

I have a soundclip that compares the Grafton to a Buescher, alternating choruses starting with the Buescher:

.

I heard that the Grafton bore was modelled on a Buescher, but I don't know which model.

I have owned my Grafton since 1986, I think, and it seldom comes out to play.

Rhys

 

[Vetinari]

Think they hae one in Johnny Roadhouse in Manchester.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I had a few of them in the 80s, you could pick them up for £50.

I may have mentioned, one of them I melted.

 

[Andrew Sanders]

Mine, in the seventies, gradually fell apart; cracked guards, key posts and other bits and pieces.

Sold it to a plastic collector and bought my wife's wedding ring.

She's still got it. I'd rather have my missus than a Grafton.

 

[Jeanette]

She's still got it. I'd rather have my missus than a Grafton.

Awww, you softie but what about a Selmer!!

Jx

 

[Andrew Sanders]

Awww, you softie but what about a Selmer!!

Jx

Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Baritone?

 

[Jeanette]

Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Baritone?

You tell me 🙂

Jx

 

[trimmy]

I'd rather have my missus than a Grafton.

Awww, you softie but what about a Selmer!!

Jx

Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Baritone?

All four

 

[Pete Thomas]

Sold it to a plastic collector and bought my wife's wedding ring.

As long as you didn't swap it with the plastic collector for your wife's wedding ring

 

[Andrew Sanders]

All four

Correct!

 

[Andrew Sanders]

As long as you didn't swap it with the plastic collector for your wife's wedding ring

Shhhhhh.............

 

[Mike T]

All you need do is find a good tech who hasn't yet had the experience of working on one, and then hope for the best.

ROFL !!

Among the musicians who was given a Grafton by the company was the late great multi-instrumentalist, Ade Monsbourgh. Note the white mouthpiece:

 

[Jaejae]

there is a wonderful Wiki page on Grafton:

Grafton saxophone - Wikipedia

if you know more please share your knowledge here. I will appreciate it

View attachment 2676

Danny

GRAFTON ALTO SAX ,OWNED BY LESLIE EVANS – Second Hand Saxophones

 

[Pete Thomas]

Note the white mouthpiece:

Likely to be the Dearman that comes with it. Complete with ligature that has matching copper coloured lacquer that goes with the Grafton keywork. These details, along with the quite rare lack of fractures and even rarer playability make it all the more collectible.

 

[Mike T]

Likely to be the Dearman that comes with it. Complete with ligature that has matching copper coloured lacquer that goes with the Grafton keywork. These details, along with the quite rare lack of fractures and even rarer playability make it all the more collectible.

I'd say that definitely is the original Dearman mouthpiece in the photo: Ade wasn't known as a mouthpiece collector - he just used whatever came to hand. Ade's Grafton is still in good condition, by the way. After his death it went to the Jazz Museum in Melbourne where it is on exhibition. If you make them an offer they can't refuse, you may be allowed to hold it and even blow a note or two (although, given that you already have at least one of them in playing condition, that might not be a priority for you).