Grassi?

[Krieg]

Hey. I went to the "local" dealer (45 minutes away) to buy a case the other day for my back up horn. Granted, the back up horn is a piece of junk, but that's not the point. Anyway...
He pulled out this $800 sax made by a company called Grassi. Anyone heard of them?
Well, I asked him about it, and he told me that "many people use it" and that it "mimicks the Mark VI sound". I didn't believe it, of course. For $800 and a name that I've never heard, I doubt it could be the "next Mark VI", according to him. Sounded to me like he just wanted to sell a crap horn. The case was nice, though... Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Gandalfe]

You tell us. Did you try it out? I doubt it is an Mark VI killer.

[Krieg]

Sadly I did not try it out. The store has a rather strict "no play-test" policy. I wish I could have, though. I also seriously doubt the claims. I suppose anything is possible... though this isn't quite probable. I was just wondering if someone had any personal experience. It's still there to my knowledge. I'm in the market for a back-up horn in case (GOD FORBID!) my Reference 54 alto has to go into the shop. I was thinking about a True Tone or a Chu Berry... I don't know though. ANYWAY!

[JMac]

I have an Ida Marie Grassi tenor (Mark VI copy) that will be going in for a restoration next month. I bought it as a back up and 'sound alternate' ("French" sound vs. "American" sound) for my 10M. I also bought it because it came with an Otto Link Slant Signature mouthpiece which is worth twice what I paid for both the horn and mouthpiece :wink: .

Here is a link to another thread on the make http://www.saxontheweb.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1141&highlight=grassi&sid=aebb6e61 d794130f252680e1f64d29f7 . In this thread (about Italian saxophone makers), cuthbert writes:

Grassi:sadly,what was the best sax factory in Italy shut down in 2000.Lady Grassi was very old ,around the 90s,and she wasn't able to carry on.Nobody of their nephews wanted to be involved in the enterprise so it died.If it's sadly enough,it closed when started the production of the last and the best sax by Grassi,the Professional 2000.I tried it along with a Selmer IIIrd series and it was MUCH MUCH better.If you find one,purchase it!The other instruments were the leader (don't be fooled by the name,a student model) equipareble to the Yamaha 52,and the old Prestige,professional model good but not special.The older model are very well done but nothing more than Selmer mk VI copies.


One of the model 2000s was just on e-bay for a price of $1,545. I would have gone for it if I didn't already have my "dream" alto - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16232&item=3768782 196 .

If I were you, I'd make a return trip with a mouthpiece and play the thing! If it is a good player, you could replace your "piece of junk" back up horn with an inexpensive gem. Who knows, if it is that good- you may just pick up a new lead horn. If you want it - talk the dealer down, like you're doing him a favor & have him take back the case you purchased and apply the price toward the horn.

In any event, let us know how things turn out. I'll post my opinions after I get my tenor refurbished.... if anyone cares :oops: .

Edit - Computer glitches abound this evening. Just read your post about the no play testing policy. How in Hades do they sell anything? I wouldn't deal with them at all, given the chance. It's a reall bummer for you, because you may be missing out on a good deal. What is their return policy like?

[Krieg]

Their return policy may as well not even exist. Basically, if there is problems with the horn (leaks, poor intonation, etc...) they will fix it or replace it (if there is not a lot of damage). If you damage the horn, they won't take it back or replace it. If you don't like it, they won't refund your money. They can do this because they are the closest music store. The next one is about an hour and a half or so. Oh, and everyone here buys Yamaha without even considering something else because (A) our director plays a Yamaha Custom alto and soprano (B) the sax teacher here says to buy Yamaha. Before I mentioned it, most sax players here had never even heard of Selmer or Yanagisawa! I was afraid. But it's okay. I don't think the director likes my Reference 54, but I love it so crap on him. It's so comfortable! And the sound is to die for. But back to the Grassi!
It sounds like it must be a pretty nice horn. I wish I had the money right now. But alas, I do not. My back up horn also has to be more of a concert horn and less of a jazz horn (I'm not taking my Reference to class... FORGET THAT! People are so careless...). So if anyone has any thoughts on a nice, cheap horn (i.e. vintage) that's great for concert band, let me know! Price limit is about $400, by the way. I consider the True Tone more and more each day... Thanks for the reply! I'm just surprised I had never heard of them...

[Dave dix]

Dont concider the true-tone get one!!! They are superb and very cheap at the moment until the supply starts to run dry.Go for a later one with front top F(around 200K serial number)
One of these horns will seriously upset your teacher especially when it out plays his yamaha!!!
Dave