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View Full Version : Got 2 Grassi 2000's !

wogeax
10-04-2008, 04:41 AM
I had posted in the advice section for value on the Grassi Pro 2000 Altos. But alas, no replies. Sooooo, I went ahead and took the 1 1/2 hour drive to check out a closed music stores inventory.
They have actually been closed for 5 years, but the owners had a storage facility with some of the old stock.
A few YAS-23's and some off-brand chinese horns and ALOT of drum and guitar equip.
I already knew they had a grassi alto 2000 when I spoke with someone a few days ago.
When I arrived they had Two Mint cond. (may have only been demos) Professional 2000 Altos. Even the cases look new.

Picked both of them up. :-) I couldnt resist. :)
J.Max
10-04-2008, 05:41 AM
I had posted in the advice section for value on the Grassi Pro 2000 Altos. But alas, no replies. Sooooo, I went ahead and took the 1 1/2 hour drive to check out a closed music stores inventory.
They have actually been closed for 5 years, but the owners had a storage facility with some of the old stock.
A few YAS-23's and some off-brand chinese horns and ALOT of drum and guitar equip.
I already knew they had a grassi alto 2000 when I spoke with someone a few days ago.
When I arrived they had Two Mint cond. (may have only been demos) Professional 2000 Altos. Even the cases look new.

Picked both of them up. :-) I couldnt resist. :)


Beautiful!
milandro
10-04-2008, 07:45 AM
if they are priced sensibly you will never regret buying both (re-selling at a profit might just a little bit more difficult )
wogeax
10-04-2008, 01:34 PM
One still had a retail tag on it for 1695.00. I have no idea what these actually ever sold at retail.
They wanted 900.00 each. I offered 695 each if they would sell both. They agreed.
So I think a decent price.
I'm going certainly keep one of them for that price and perhaps throw the other up on auction.

:)
SAXISMYAXE
10-04-2008, 01:41 PM
Write a review of the horns when you get a chance, and after the initial "honeymoon". I'm interested to hear your opinions.
pc1234
10-04-2008, 01:41 PM
I think you did very well - those are pro horns you've got there, and reputedly very good MK VI copies. I paid well more than $1,000 for my Grassi 2000 soprano back in the 1980's. (I probably couldn't get that price now given their low name recognition, but that $1,695 sounds about right for the retail price on that alto back in the day).
milandro
10-04-2008, 02:40 PM
they are certainly worth it for a player and if compared to any other horn of a similar quality. Having said that, it is my opinion that their re-sale value wouldn't be more than 800 to 1000.
wmclean
10-04-2008, 07:33 PM
Congratulations ... There is more than one person on this board who will be envying you !

W.
Captain Beeflat
10-05-2008, 12:57 PM
Well done...you will not regret it.
When you have become accustomed to them it would be interesting to hear how they compare to each other.
wogeax
10-05-2008, 11:05 PM
Have been using one of them past day and a half.
Wow! These really sing! Very Free Blowing horns.
Have'nt quite gotten used to the keywork yet. But fast action !

Somewhat on the darker side.
Havent really used the second one much. But seems very similar to the one I have been using. (serial numbers are very close to eachother)

Low end is Awesome! Need to get a slight adjustment (minor leak I think).

I'm no pro by any stretch, but will try and post more thoughts as time goes.

I wonder why these arent more popular? I had a YAS-62 (which cost double) and the grassi seems to have more 'soul' to its voice. The yamaha had great ergos but sound didnt do anything for me. (sure it was just me though)

Thanks for input and will continue workin' it!
wogeax
10-06-2008, 06:39 PM
Had someone ask for more pics.

http://s235.photobucket.com/albums/ee210/wogeboy/grassi/?albumview=slideshow
The A Train
10-07-2008, 12:34 PM
Don't you love the way Grassi made that G on the neck look vaguely familiar? :D
BlueTrane2028
10-07-2008, 02:56 PM
I had a YAS-62 (which cost double) and the grassi seems to have more 'soul' to its voice. The yamaha had great ergos but sound didnt do anything for me.

This is my main complaint about the Yamaha line. I feel the same about them, but there is this one YTS-62 that a friend of mine has... it's almost as good as my VI... almost.
wogeax
10-07-2008, 06:42 PM
This is my main complaint about the Yamaha line. I feel the same about them, but there is this one YTS-62 that a friend of mine has... it's almost as good as my VI... almost.

Glad I'm not the only one.
_______________________________________________
Don't you love the way Grassi made that G on the neck look vaguely familiar? :D

Yes, I thought the same thing when I first saw it. The again, I guess this was grassi's swan song mkVI horn.
_______________________________________________
I am definitely keeping the one I have been using last few days. These are keepers for the price.

Going to put the second grassi horn up on auction next week. (maybe) :) ,
and my old yas52.
Actually going to bring it to tech today and get a check up, he has a MKVI.
Captain Beeflat
10-07-2008, 06:56 PM
Don't you love the way Grassi made that G on the neck look vaguely familiar? :D

And the keywork; and the bell brace; and the silver triangular badge within the yoke of the octave rocker :)
milandro
10-07-2008, 08:17 PM
And the keywork; and the bell brace; and the silver triangular badge within the yoke of the octave rocker :)

yes but a very different side octave and octave mechanism.
wogeax
10-10-2008, 07:40 PM
Tech only had to fix 2 minor leaks in low end. Other than than that, he thought this was an awesome horn for the money.

Will put the second one on auction or here on sotw next week.

Does anyone know serial number/ manufacture dates on these?
Just guessing here, but does the prfessional 2000 depict the year ?
milandro
10-10-2008, 07:47 PM
Tech only had to fix 2 minor leaks in low end. Other than than that, he thought
Just guessing here, but does the prfessional 2000 depict the year ?

they never quite made it, went out of business before.......2000 was an intention :)
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=90275
wogeax
10-10-2008, 08:14 PM
they never quite made it, went out of business before.......2000 was an intention :)
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=90275

Ahh, thanks for the info.
Both of these altos are in the 67xxx range.
milandro
10-10-2008, 08:30 PM
then you really have the very last production, it is impossible to exactly know when they were made and sold because at that time production was very sketchy and the factory was drifting slowly out of business slowly selling all the left over stock. By the way the building is still standing in Quarna sotto and I know that some machinery and some bits and pieces are still inside the factory (I haven't seen it but I have it from a reliable source) while Grassi is now only a brandname reselling Asian horns . Bill Lewington has still some instruments left over
http://www.bill-lewington.com/grassi.htm
wogeax
10-10-2008, 08:48 PM
Thanks for the web site.

Would be great if someone could get into the old building in Italy and poke around! :D

According to the stores owners daughter (owner passed away last year) He had a few rare items he wanted to keep (I guess these were some of them).
Said she kept some items for herself (Including another Grassi (tenor) still in the plastic) but needed to sell most everything else.