Look for B&S BLue Label Alto or Tenor and see what players have to say about them.Īs you may know, the early blue label models are VERY rare.ī&S Blue Label circa 1975. (1970's hand crafted make)This is not to be confused with one of the recent B&S stencil models. Think focused centered and THICK big bore tone. It is many a players opinion that it is a better made horn than most of the Japanese made counterparts. This sax is definitely comparable feel and tone wise and can go from smoke and sultry to getting that big bore post bop Joe Henderson mean sound. Let's go back to what I found on the internet withįor those of you who havn't heard or played a B&S Sax.I reference it to a Selmer. I must say this instrument, being one of the earlier ones, has
If anyone has additions to this information feel free to E-mail me I can have had my hands on different B&S saxophones This site contains the name of a lot of manufacturers. Why would a factory change machinery and use of materials in order Seems to be of a better quality than their origin. Lot about these instruments and makers can be found at It is often said that these american stencil instruments are of a lesserįor the European market and especially the French market you willĬontrary to the the American way of working the European stencils These are the so called stencil instruments. This was the way to expand the business avoiding a justice cause. This was often the case in America but also in Europe.
That resulted in putting other names on an in fact the same this looks like it was repadded not too long ago, (all pads are nice as soft), how. the body is in good shape with only one minor well done solder repair on a key guard, and the bell lip is bent slightly. With a wide spread dealer field not to sell any of their saxophones this is a 70s grassi tenor sax with the green jade rollers.
Besides that, several producers had contracts Instruments as the dealer who was buying had put his own name Also check out the engraving, neck socket design, bell-to-body brace, pinky key layout, and neck logo (all very distinctly Selmer-looking).I frequently get questions about where to find informationĪt first I need to say that a lot of workshops didn't label some Condition wise, aside from the usual mechanical wear, the neck socket needs to be resoldered and repaired, a couple of posts are pushed in to the body, the bell lip is quite warped, and I am going to do my best to remove as much of the red corrosion as I can from the exposed brass without damaging any of the existing lacquer finish.Īlong with the overhaul, we have also decided to go with a beautiful custom-sized set of Resotech domed brass resonators, which are going to look stunning, and should add a nice dark crispiness to the sound (will post a photo when these come in!). This one looks like a couple have been replaced with a brighter green material at some point, but the majority are still intact. One unique thing about these horns is the beautiful jade rollers installed on all of the pinky keys. Historical details aside, this is a well made and reasonably rare instrument that is undoubtedly modelled on the "balanced" Selmer instruments of the 1950's (as most instruments these days are). Fast forward 60 years and If you search for Grassi now, you will find Asian-made horns, which also tells us the name was sold at some point. Please contact them to ask about shipping. Grassi offers a line dedicated to beginners, it is suitable also for schools and bands that need solid, long-lasting and performing instruments. Information about this company is sparse at best, but the story goes that in the late 1950's a whole factory's worth of Italian sax makers were on strike from another manufacturer, and came to the Grassi flute (?) factory with the proposition to start up saxophone manufacture there. This seller has not set a shipping cost for Continental U.S. It reminds me a of the French tone that everyone is after. This is an Italian-made Grassi Alto Sax from right around 1970. A 'diamond in the rough' alto This little Grassi has a tone that blows us away in the shop. I have been super busy tuning up school horns and updating the shop (more info on this soon!) but I am finally back on a cool overhaul that I am pleased to share with you.