Production and serial numbers become more approximateĪt first I tried to keep some chronological order on the models, however I soon realised that production was very erratic: for example the “no name” models (which I will call “Standard” from now on.
The Grassi saxophone production starts in the 1960s with serial number 1000.įrom 1000 to 27395 serials produced between 19 Grassi” logo on the side of the bell).įollowing is the only known source of serial numbers: this list will allow you to find out when your sax was produced. So far I have found the following to have very striking resemblance to the Grassi instruments: Mogar (unconfirmed), Martin Busine (unconfirmed), Majestic and “La Marque” (the La Marque saxes are Jade Rollers with the “La Marque” logon engraved just above the “I.M. Grassi did produce saxes under other names, mostly for the US market. I suggest checking a well known online auction site and other online ads to get a rough idea of value. Prices vary greatly, this year (2011) I have seen them ranging from 150 euros for a “Standard” alto to 1500 euros for a “Prestige” Tenor. I couldn’t give precise indication of the value of any instrument, it depends so much on the condition and playability of the instrument itself. I have removed the last 2 sometimes 3 digits from all the serial numbers quoted to prevent this info being used by Internet scammers, however if you recognise a photo which belongs to your instrument and you feel strongly about it appearing here, please get in touch and I’ll remove it from this document. Please note: I have no financial gain in reporting the info and photos below, it would have been very difficult (if not impossible!) to quote every source. If I have missed any models (like the Concertino!), please get in touch and I’ll add to this document, prior photographic proof! Like any other make, sound quality can vary whichever the model tested.Īll the models contained in this guide have been either spotted on various internet sites, owned by SAXFORUM.IT and Café Saxophone users (a big Thank You!) and the very few owned by myself. It would be very difficult (and maybe unfair) to give my opinion of the qualities of these instruments, as, like any other make, it depends so much on individual samples, their playing conditions, mouthpiece setup, the player, etc. I should also add, that what follows is purely based on mechanical differences and will limit itself only to the Made in Italy production. So what follows is simply a guide to recognising the different models produced in Italy. It was my intention to provide some details around the Grassi production (exact production years, rationale behind the models, etc.) and around its history, but so far found very little. Grassi logo and started producing saxes in the Far East with model names identical to the defunct Italian production.Īn easy way to recognise these saxes is to check the logo printed on the bell: it is no hand engraved, but laser engraved and it now shows “Ida Maria Grassi – Italy” instead of the old “Ida Maria Grassi – Made in Italy” logo.