[BrianMitchellBrody]

Been buying lots of altos lately but none seemed to play or sounded the way I liked but this horn is incredible. Crisp, well defined and perfect intonation defines this unit.

Its been 4-5 years since playing a Taiwanese alto that sounded so good right off the bat. I know its a stretch but with GW "Ringer" mouthpiece and this sax I'm getting a real
Phil Woods vibe.

Makes me want to try the tenor and soprano

Anybody else discovering these gems?

 

[JayeLID]

I recently had the opportunity to service then sell an Eastman 640 Tenor, after years of hearing accolades about Eastman.

I rarely say nice things about contemporary asian horns...but it was really impressive from every standpoint. If I played enough Tenor, and could have afforded to, I would have kept it.....

I wonder if the Giardinelli is an Eastman model rebranded, or whether it's a different model altogether.

I know Eastman has 3 models...two professional (640 - looks like they may call it a 652 now - and 52nd St., and one student line, the 240 or 280 or something like that).

These (your horn) apparently sell for around $2g new, give or take ?

So...less than a 640/652...but more than their student horns. I'd be interested in knowing whether this is actually a different model from the Eastman-Eastman offerings....

Glad you like it. Due to it being an alto, it has kind of a funny model name....I believe the alto is officially called a "GAS-10".....lol.....

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Yes GAS-10 which is actually not too far from the gas bag that plays it. )

Saxcop could chime in but he has done the side by side with the much more expensive Eastman 640 and they are exactly the same.

 

[ZootTheSim]

How are the ergos on these Eastman horns? I'd eventually like to grab a backup tenor with a big voice and close keywork, like my TH&C. I'm (slowly, gradually) considering a used Taiwanese horn, along with a Couf or B&S (pricey), Vito/Beaugnier (confusing), older Buescher (maybe too close to my 400), or a Bundy Special if one should pop up.

 

[saxcop]

These are exactly the same horn as the Eastman 640. I have both tenors and I have an Giardinelli alto. I have an email from the factory rep so not just my opinion.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

How are the ergos on these Eastman horns? I'd eventually like to grab a backup tenor with a big voice and close keywork, like my TH&C. I'm (slowly, gradually) considering a used Taiwanese horn, along with a Couf or B&S (pricey), Vito/Beaugnier (confusing), older Buescher (maybe too close to my 400), or a Bundy Special if one should pop up.

If I had the choice between an Eastman horn and a modern B&S there would be no hesitation to buy the B&S but if the tenor is as good as this alto it
would be a very close second place winner.

Considering I paid $400 for this alto I consider myself lucky after buying and auditioning 8 other altos.

 

[saxcop]

I sold a tenor to another member. It replaced his 52nd street as his main horn. At the time I sold it I did comparisons to several Taiwan horns in my possession. I then recommended this knowing it would not disappoint. Don't confuse the older Giardinelli branded horns. They are made by Amati. Only the ones that say " Giadinelli by Eastman" are the good ones.

 

[Grumps]

Oops... wrong thread. Thought this was about the chocolate squares...

 

[JayeLID]

These are exactly the same horn as the Eastman 640. I have both tenors and I have an Giardinelli alto. I have an email from the factory rep so not just my opinion.

Crazy, the Giardinelli GTS-10 tenor seems, new, to have a retail price of around $500 less than the Eastman 640-engraved version....

Considering I paid $400 for this alto I consider myself lucky after buying and auditioning 8 other altos.

Interesting. I am sure the Giardinelli name does not carry much weight in the used market, so these can probably be had for a song.....

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Crazy, the Giardinelli GTS-10 tenor seems, new, to have a retail price of around $500 less than the Eastman 640-engraved version....

Interesting. I am sure the Giardinelli name does not carry much weight in the used market, so these can probably be had for a song.....

I don't think Eastman has much of a reputation either but damn what a horn. Its much much better then the Buffet 400 coming from China

 

[Mark R]

I sold a tenor to another member. It replaced his 52nd street as his main horn. At the time I sold it I did comparisons to several Taiwan horns in my possession. I then recommended this knowing it would not disappoint. Don't confuse the older Giardinelli branded horns. They are made by Amati. Only the ones that say " Giadinelli by Eastman" are the good ones.

I am the member that bought this horn. These days I'm spending a lot of time on my Buescher 156 and prefer the 52nd St but that said I am still very pleased at how nice the Giardinelli plays, it's an Eastman pro line horn through and through and the original treking case is same case the 52nd St. tenor came in when I got it several years ago.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

I finally had my Giardinelli Eastman alto put through the shop. It had two bent posts and one bad pad.

It was playing fine before but now its playing even better. I also had the fake pearls changed out for real white MOPs.

Upgraded the case and all for under $500.

I feel I got the deal of the year.

I would buy a tenor version if the right priced one came along because I need a 9th horn. :0