Saxophones Grassi Saxophones

altissimo · Apr 28, 2014

http://www.ilsaxofono.it/portale/grassi-ida-maria/237-grassiserial.html

http://www.ilsaxofono.it/dati/catalogograssi.pdf

ProfJames · Apr 28, 2014

altissimo said:
http://www.ilsaxofono.it/portale/grassi-ida-maria/237-grassiserial.html

http://www.ilsaxofono.it/dati/catalogograssi.pdf

Great site Altissimo......a very concise history of Martin and many other famous vintage saxophones. Thank you

DavidUK · Apr 28, 2014

Bearing in mind how many horns have passed through my hands, the Grassi 2000 Professional is still my 'keeper' tenor. That may have a fair bit to do with Charlie Connolly's complete overhaul, but those that have played it have all remarked on it's all round greatness.

kevgermany · Apr 28, 2014

aldevis said:
Another stereotype: flaws, imperfections and deviant solutions, but it works great.
I kind of agree.

I had three Italian motorbikes, my friends and brother many more. My wife is half Italian. And I have an Italian sax. The stereotype is right, as far as it goes. But it misses flair, individuality and sheer bloody mindedness.

MontyMac · May 4, 2014

Does anyone else here recall an article on extending the neck on the late 60s early 70s Grassi Baris to help with an intonation issue? I recall reading it, somewhere, but obviously did not save the bookmark. I tore the neck cork on my Jade (24xxx) a couple of weeks ago and while cleaning it off thought to take measurements and pictures.
The addition appears to be .5" (12,7mm) long made from ~ .625 (<16 mm) stock. It's out of round but that's a close enough dimension. The bore is slightly smaller than the end piece with the cork retainer ring but as it plays beautifully I'm only cleaning the inside and making the outside pretty.

Pete Thomas · Jul 3, 2014

I just got my Grassi back from @Stephen Howard plays beautifully. Stephen pointed out that it need quite a bit of fettling though, the rods were basically too thin so he had to replace them and now it's as tight as a very tight thing on a tight morning.

So the build quality doesn't impress the Sax doctor, but of course I'm more interested in how it plays - will post some sound clips soon.

DavidUK · Jul 3, 2014

What size and model is it Pete?
I guess you've said elsewhere already but I missed it?

Pete Thomas · Jul 3, 2014

DavidUK said:
What size and model is it Pete?

It's a big one (tenor)

And it's a Wonderful. (That's the model, not my attempt at an Italian accent in case @aldevis or @milandro are wondering)

DavidUK · Jul 3, 2014

Don't recognise that one - I'll have to check out MMM's review.

altissimo · Jul 3, 2014

better post some photos of this fine beast

MontyMac · Jul 4, 2014

DavidUK said:
Don't recognise that one - I'll have to check out MMM's review.

http://www.ilsaxofono.it/dati/catalogograssi.pdf
Page 14
They introduced the "Wonderful" I believe in '73 or '74. @milandro If you would be so kind as to interject your knowledge here. It has the Balanced Action left table key works; or "less primitive" as some would refer to it. :rolleyes:

MontyMac · Sep 29, 2014

MMM, Just in case you want to update the article, here's the company logo from the 1975 catalog.

DavidUK · Sep 29, 2014

...and some photos of the Concertino, which you say you couldn't find. Alto first...

DavidUK · Sep 29, 2014

Concertino Alto x 2 more...

Ads · Sep 29, 2014

How does the red blooded Italian Grassi Alto compare to the SDA ? , it doesn`t look the same quality

DavidUK · Sep 29, 2014

And Concertino tenor...

DavidUK · Sep 29, 2014

Concertino tenor x 2 more...

DavidUK · Sep 29, 2014

Ads said:
How does the red blooded Italian Grassi Alto compare to the SDA ? , it doesn`t look the same quality

These aren't mine, just photos I found (actually they're both for sale) so I've no idea - haven't played any Grassi altos, although I have toyed with the idea of a Professional 2000 Alto - They're in plentiful supply from £350 up if you know where to look. I have a choice of two mint ones for £500 each as I type!

Also found a couple of Wonderful altos if Pete wants to keep his new tenor company?

If you read MMM's revised article you'll see the Concertino was the student horn replaced mid-80's by the student "Leader" model, so it's not as refined. The Leader was in the same line-up as Professional 2000 and Prestige, those two at the pro end of the market.

Ads · Sep 29, 2014

Ahh, that would explain it - I almost typed "looks like an east European student horn" after saying it looked far from SDA level ,, but decided against it in case I got bombarded .......