Anyone know were i can Find a Grafton Alto Sax

[Alabama_jazz]

I am looking for a Grafton alto Saxophone if anyone can give me a specific website link or even a shop name that would help me in my search. I know these things are rare and its worth alot of cash.


Contact me neccesary.

[yaucante]

Hi,

I think www.junkdude.com had one preety recently, check it out. But it had a crack in the bell and would have to be repaired, which is probably not too easy to do.

Cheers

Yaucante

[mr00420]

They are quite hard to come by, and if you were able to find one that WAS playable, you probably wouldn't like it... and neither would your band director.

What happened to the overpriced 1926 Chu you were interested in buying? What would interest you into looking for a Grafton? The reason they're hard to find, besides that they were never very popular, is b/c their plastic bodies were not very durable. Most have been damaged beyond the limits of repair. I thought you had a budget, but if money's no object, then why don't you get a Selmer MVI? You'd probably be able to buy one for the same price that some collector would sell you his mint condition Grafton for.

You're in Jr. High, right? Far be it from me to discourage you from buying a nice pro vintage horn, but you'd do just fine playing on an intermediate level horn or good student model, like a King Cleveland. If you keep playing in college, fine... you can upgrade then, but otherwise I really don't think it's necessary to empty your folks' wallet. I knew so many guys when I was in H.S. who got Selmer SA80s when they were going to be in H.S. Jazz band, and only one of these guys played once he entered college. I doubt those other guys play now. None of us knew what sound we wanted out of our horns at that point in our playing "careers" so I don't think it's really wise to make such a large long-term investment in something that most likely will be very short-term. If you do, buy something you played and liked, and that will retain or increase its value in time... so that if you give up playing at some time, you have something worth some cash in a pinch, or you can sell it to pay your parents back.

[Gandalfe]

Wowser Mr00420, that comes across a little harsh but completely logical. I had to wonder why anyone would seek out a Grafton, let alone play one unless they were collectors. It's kinda like LA Sax's painted lady saxes. Maybe there is a market for players who want unique horns.

I'd rather get a horn that has spot on intonation, sounds fine, and looks okay than pay big bucks for a unique horn that can only be played by itself because of pitch problems.

[yaucante]

Ok, I see. I went to the other Chu 1926 thread and I realize what you guys are talking about. Yeah, the Grafton I was talking about is certainly not a wise buy for a player...But I leave it to the senior players to guide
Mr Alabama jazz in his musical quest. So long.

Y.

[Gandalfe]

Senior? Me?

[Alabama_jazz]

mr00048: Have u ever heard of shopping around...guess not.. But have you ever even heard a grafton sax ? Or are you the kind of guy that believes what everyone says, guess so. I have a video clip and a sounds clip of the grafton its sounds beautiful, but it is in great condition.

[averageschmoe]

unless you want something to hang on your wall you are not looking for a grafton. they are poorly made of cheap materials and would be quite the repair hassle, if you can find a technician willing to touch it (rare indeed, the instruments are known to fall apart in a completely irreparable manner at an unkind glance). even the most hungry tech is hardly going to risk losing $3,000 to $4,000 on a $60 adjustment, let alone an overhaul. i find your reply to mr00420 terribly reactionary and uninformed considering the quality of his advice. he may have been harsh, but he's right. of course it's up to you to make your own mistakes. we don't have to live with the results of the choices you make, just remember that hindsight is 20/20.

[mr00420]

I didn't intend to be "harsh." I've just been trying to get "Alabama's feet on the ground" regarding the purchase of a new horn. I know when I was around his age, I got easily excited about what people told I should buy w/o doing any research into the matter. I'm glad you're checking out sound clips, but in general, you will sound very different from the clip. A great player can get a good sound out of almost any horn. My example is forthcoming...

BTW, I have heard "sound clips" of a Grafton and they sounded great... b/c they were either being played by Charlie Parker or Ornette Coleman. Neither played the horn for very long (may be damage, or probably the following reason...) C. Parker (and O. Coleman) was such a huge heroin addict that he would constantly sell his horns to pawn shops in order to get enough cash to get a fix ( I don't know if O.C. actually did this.) Parker could and did play on many kinds of horns, many of them crappy horns or in crappy condition from sitting around the pawn shop.

That being said, there is kind of an urban-legend among players that a Grafton actually has an interesting sound... but that doesn't mean it's a good horn, or more specifically, that it would be a good choice for anyone purchasing their first vintage horn (that they are planning to PLAY in school, or any other band.) Like what was written before: owners of these horns don't play them... they hang them on their wall. It's a collector's horn; to play it on a routine basis would degrade it further and reduce the value of it.

My actual advice all along has been for you to ACTUALLY "shop around" (as in: physically go to some shops and PLAY some vintage horns.) Checking out sound clips is a nice way to research, but besides the fact that you'll sound different on the horn you're interested in, you should probably get interested in a horn that is w/in the realm of possible purchase and usage. Sound clips also give no idication as to what the key action is on the horn.

I understand maybe this came off a little negatively b/c I've tried to steer you away from two horns so far, but in one case a dealer is trying to rip you off on an overpriced Chu (willingly or not,) and in this case you're shopping around for a relatively extinct sax that will most certainly not suit your purposes: playing first chair in your school jazz band.

I was in a similar situation not long ago: I was looking for a new vintage horn. I couldn't afford,and didn't want a Selmer (MVI or SBA) b/c I wanted a different sound. I have always been partial to King saxes, but when I did my research I locked onto a couple of possible brands and models. I went out and played several horns, and even though I had my heart set on a King Super 20, I narrowed it down to Conn 6M and a King Zephyr after playing them all. I finally settled on the Zephyr. I settled on the horn that played best for me, and was a good investment (i.e. I didn't get ripped off on the price.) I didn't let my preconceptions get in the way, and used the info. I looked up to make the right purchase for me. Otherwise, I'd be playing a relatively ugly sounding King Super 20 (I'm talking only about this one I had available to me) only b/c of the reputation, and the cool underslung octave key.

There's a lot of articles on this sites home page giving detailed info. on many different brands and models of vintage (and new, though they'll be more expensive) horns. They'll really help you in narrowing down what you can buy; availability wise and price wise. I know they helped me.

[mr00420]

BTW: I'm not really a Senior member of this site. There are other members here w/ far more expertise and knowledge than I, but I'm sure the majority of them would agree w/ what I've said. It' s not THAT long since I was in Jr. High, but unfortunately I am probably twice your age (hopefully a little under.) I hope you don't think I'm picking on you... I was just suprised to see you looking for a Grafton, after the advice people had given you in your last thread. I'm just trying to help you out Alabama, and keep you from making mistakes most of us have made.

[The Martin]

I know for sure "De saxofoonwinkel" in Holland has one hanging on the wall.
DOn't know if it's a player of a looker.......

www.saxshop.nl

[colibri]

There was a Grafton also sax in a local music store in my area. It's in mint condition. Every part was there and wasn't damaged in any way. I tried it with 3 different mouthpieces and didn't care for the sound of it. It doesn't resonate like a real brass saxophone. In other words, I was having trouble getting it to project. It's not a horn that you can play in normal setting, including concert band.

[mr00420]

It's listed there as "collector's item" w/ no price.

[gary]

Alabama-something you might want to keep in mind... If you're going to be playing lead alto, that is a leadership position. It is your responsibility (at least in part) to set the musical tone for the section. That means giving your mates a sound that they should be striving to have. I'm not sure the plastic sax is going to do that for you.

[cmelodysax]

Alabama - they do come up on ebay occasionally, I've seen one in the last few months (think it was listed on the UK server) , and http://www.cybersax.com/collection.html lists one as 'coming shortly'.
Practicality aside, I remember looking at them in the big music shops in Shaftesbury Avenue -London- in the 60's - and if I'd bought a couple then (along with a Mk VI and a Super 20) I'd be a much richer man now. They are a good investment, but I don't think they'll stand a lot of playing without giving you some problems - and (like the C-Melodies I collect) unless you want to become an expert on them yourself it may be difficult getting them fixed. Good luck on your search, hope you've a lot of pennies to spend.....

[DaveR]

T W Howarth in London have one at this moment.

[zephyranthes]

Marsh Woodwinds in Raleigh NC has one, but it needs repair
www.marshwoodwinds.com

[mr00420]

This wasn't a serious inquiry. The young user has already bought a Conn 6M.

Why doesn't Marsch have any King S20s? I remember they had a few in the late 80s- early 90s.

[singlereed]

I believe Howarths are listing one for sale. They are a good retailer, I would trust their description. www.howarth.uk.com

[cmelodysax]

I know it's not needed now, but there's one on ebay ( 2531927105 ) at £1200 ( about $1900 ) with an hour to go - reglued bits and all......

[hodges1]

try www.wichitaband.com they usually have one or two up there. they completely tear down and overhaul their horns completely. you may also want to check ebay, but be careful on ebay.

[Howlin]

http://www.lexlub.nl/grafton/ulindex.htm

The intonation of these was actually very good, and as I have one I can vouch for a very smooth action

[Peter]

Paul Harvey's excellent book, has a chapter on the Grafton.