[BigSaxCo1]

I have had the opportunity to purchase a used one for less than two grand.

Had it for a couple of weeks now and it plays great. Low notes come out smoothly and the keys are at a comfortable position.

At my school we have 4 baris but they are not always used.
I have played two of them, a Selmer Super Action Series II and a Vito VSP.

The SAS and Vito have a slightly more powerful presence than the Grassi. They also seem a bit more sturdy and are equipped with high F#.

The Grassi (In my opinion) has a more comfortable layout of the keys than the other two, and overall has a nice build.

In all, I think it can compare with the $8,000+ SAS and the Vito VSP.
I'm pretty glad I got my hands on a good bari for a low price.

 

[jthole]

Congratulations ... please post pictures here, if you want

I brought my Grassi baritone to a repairer this morning, for an overhaul and some undenting. I'll report when I get it back (could be several weeks because of his workload).

 

[BigSaxCo1]

Here's a few pics

 

[MMM]

I want one, sniff!

 

[jthole]

I want one, sniff!

One the one hand, me too. But if the main difference is the balanced action of the left hand spatula, then I don't know if it would be worth the extra money for me.

From what I understand, the main design of the baritones, and the quality of the rods and keys, remained the same between the earlier Professional and the later Professional 2000 saxes.

Btw, the tech who currently works on my Grassi has a very favorable opinion on the 70's Grassi saxes.

 

[jthole]

Congratulations ... please post pictures here, if you want

I brought my Grassi baritone to a repairer this morning, for an overhaul and some undenting. I'll report when I get it back (could be several weeks because of his workload).

Yes, I got my bari back

The repairer was very impressed with the Grassi workmanship and the brass quality, but was less thrilled with some of the technical quirks of the mechanism, notably with the low A action and the G# mechanism.

He could not change much about the low A (but I am satisfied nevertheless), but he considerably improved the accuracy of the G# action. Now the key snaps open and close, like it should, without any slugginess.

He had a very positive opinion about the intonation and the timbre of the Grassi as well, with the critical remark that it is not in the same league as, for instance, a low A Martin Magna (duh!).

Anyway, I'm happy to have the Grassi back, and I'm very happy with the work he did on it

 

[milandro]

Tim Brennan is a Cleveland boy ......... maybe he would have liked a King super 20 bari better! Happy to hear that you are happy!

 

[jthole]

Tim Brennan is a Cleveland boy ......... maybe he would have liked a King super 20 bari better! Happy to hear that you are happy!

I am always happy with the work Tim does

 

[BigSaxCo1]

Just took my Grassi home from school. Played fantastic for our schools' holiday concert!
It definately held up to its part during "You a mean one, Mr. Grinch".

 

[jthole]

Yes, I got my bari back

The repairer was very impressed with the Grassi workmanship and the brass quality, but was less thrilled with some of the technical quirks of the mechanism, notably with the low A action and the G# mechanism.

That low A is killing me :twisted: I have a piece now with pretty fast A - B and A - Bb alternations ... really challenging with the sluggy mechanism on the Grassi :mrgreen:

OTOH, it would not have been better on e.g. a low A Weltklang, and I like the timbre of the Grassi so much better.

(my only concern is that I whack the low A mechanism out of adjustment over time ... though the brass quality feels quite good)

 

[milandro]

Grassi, have never been at the forefront of technology and the mechanics of their saxophones was always a little more " traditional" than other saxophones which were around at the same time.
This was not very atypical in those days.

I think that Dolnet low A baritones have pretty similar mechanics to your Grassi.

I am curious to see what Tim Brennan did with the hole in the lip of the bell!

 

[jthole]

I am curious to see what Tim Brennan did with the hole in the lip of the bell!

He plugged it with a brass plug, and then lacquered it with the same color as the original lacquer. It is almost invisible by now.

I've never seen a Dolnet low A baritone, so I can't tell. But since the pink tableaus resemble the Buffet SDA layout, it might well be.

 

[milandro]

I have had one and sold it through a shop in Edam-the Netherlands, they revised the horn then sold it on line and we split the money 50/50.

If I remember well the mechanics were almost identical to the Grassi.

(I think that you were thinking of the Buffet SDA) Grassi had clearly more than some inspiration from French saxophone makers other than Selmer.

Everybody thinks that Grassi " look" like Selmers ( I did too in a very distant and foolish past) just because of the Ring and logo on the neck (which baritones, of course, don't have) )

 

[jthole]

(I think that you were thinking of the Buffet SDA) Grassi had clearly more than some inspiration from French saxophone makers other than Selmer.

Yes, of course I thought of Buffet ... silly me

 

[BigSaxCo1]

Been on it for a while now! Well recently I've been blowing on a Selmer Super Action Series II in marching band since I'd rather not use my bari in it, seeing what some kids have done to the poor horns. While this is going on I'm trying to find the right mouthpiece and reed combo for myself, and
it's sure to take a while.

 

[BigSaxCo1]

I'm also wondering how much this baritone of mine is worth in its condition.
How much would you pay?

I plan on keeping it for a while but it may not be my permanent horn.

 

[MontyMac]

I acquired an early 70's Ida Maria Grassi Professional Low Bb Bari; she came in on Friday and SHE IS FREAKING MAGNIFICENT!!
She's only had 2 owners that I know of, both professional, and it shows. Finish is still wonderful and most of the pads are original. I agree also, the key layout is perfect. I once, briefly, played a Selmer MK VI Bari and didn't care for it. The keys are too close, the key tables feel wrong and I didn't like the voice it had. This Old Gal can sing sweetly in the church or be as raunchy as an old bar fly. And that's with a terribly out of shape embeshure.

 

[DetroitDave]

As middle age begins to show up in my rear view mirror some of those raunchy old bar flies start to look pretty good. Sigh.

 

[jthole]

I acquired an early 70's Ida Maria Grassi Professional Low Bb Bari; she came in on Friday and SHE IS FREAKING MAGNIFICENT!!
She's only had 2 owners that I know of, both professional, and it shows. Finish is still wonderful and most of the pads are original. I agree also, the key layout is perfect. I once, briefly, played a Selmer MK VI Bari and didn't care for it. The keys are too close, the key tables feel wrong and I didn't like the voice it had. This Old Gal can sing sweetly in the church or be as raunchy as an old bar fly. And that's with a terribly out of shape embeshure.

Congratulations on finding a great bari then!

I equally like my Grassi bari, with only two minor complaints; the low A mechanism is slow and clunky, and it really needs a key guard (that last complaint is going to be resolved very soon). I agree about the key layout of the Selmer MK VI bari (and many modern bari saxes). However, the Selmer low A mechanism is a dream to operate, compared to the Grassi.

The best part about the Grassi is the sound. It's not roaring like a vintage American, but it has a refined quality in all registers, and is very flexible. I wouldn't hesitate to use it in a more classical setting too, because intonation is very good as well indeed.

 

[MontyMac]

Congratulations on finding a great bari then!

I equally like my Grassi bari, with only two minor complaints; the low A mechanism is slow and clunky, and it really needs a key guard (that last complaint is going to be resolved very soon).

I was going through threads here and wanted to update. I acquired a low A Grassi a few months ago. I do have to agree with the critique of the low A mechanism though when I get down there I want to stay for awhile and make thunder! But more importantly, I'm curious as to how the modification you mentioned worked out.
I'm tempted to try my hand at adding a left pinky touch for the Low A on mine.