Grassi Professional 2000 Sop

[G Sharp]

I'm lead alto in my school jazz band. Recently, I found a pretty cheap used Grassi professional 2000 sop, figured it would be a good idea to have, in case we run into any pieces that call for it. So I researched it up, tried it, and ended up buying it. Finally, a month later, I brought it into class to show my director. He immidietly called it a "No-name brand, piece of crap". He's normally a pretty nice guy, so he said it in a joking way, but he still meant it. However, I've yet to find any truly bad reviews on it online. I was wondering if I could get a truly honest opinion on anyone elses expierience with this horn?

[DavyRay]

I do not have a Grassi Professional Pro sop myself, but the Grassi Professional saxophones get good reviews here.

Edit: Wanna sell it?

[G Sharp]

I've noticed the good reviews (They even helped me when deciding buying it), which is why I'm confused about his response. Though I'm positive it has a leak somewhere, cause I could never play it right, nor could he. Though he claimed he couldn't play it because of the "cheap brand". I'll be taking to get it in to see if there actually is a problem soon.

And nah, I'm definitely keeping it, whether my conductor likes it or not. Sorry!

[J.Max]

He doesn't know any better. They are FANTASTIC sopranos...I sold a Buffet SDA for one. Grassi is just not a well-known brand in the US, and more than likely, your conductor is not a saxophonist.

I'd bet that he's against all metal mouthpieces too.

[BOPITY FUNK]

I had one of these a few years back traded it against a Buescher----foolish me!no comparison. Some of the Grassi tenors are ok good sound, but that Sop.had no resonance and the intonation was all over the place. I've had a Yanagasawa for the last 7 years but for tone the Buescher beats them all.
Regards BF

[modman]

I'm first alto chair in my school jazz band. Recently, I found a pretty cheap used Grassi professional 2000 sop, figured it would be a good idea to have, in case we run into any pieces that call for it. So I researched it up, tried it, and ended up buying it. Finally, a month later, I brought it into class to show my director. He Immidietly called it a "No-name brand, piece of crap". He's normally a pretty nice guy, so he said it in a joking way, but he still meant it. However, I've yet to find any truly bad reviews on it online. I was wondering if I could get a truly honest opinion on anyone elses expierience with this horn?

I am sorry that your "director" is too much of an anti-social to understand the effect that his sarcasm has on young people.

That said, take the horn to a reputable technician and get it properly set-up, find the best mouthpiece for you, and then play it.

You are not a professional yet and the new Grassi's which are made in Mainland China for the Italian company are no worse than Venus brand which is being touted as something that is just fine for some professional use, and even better for high school.

When you are playing at Carnegie Hall you will have a professional horn and you can send an invitation to this instructor and show off your brand new pro horn.

This is one of life's small hurdles to overcome in becoming the best player you can be!

Best of Luck. B8-)

[tictactux]

I am sorry that your "director" is too much of an anti-social to understand the effect that his sarcasm has on young people.

Many people are guided by their eyes (spotting a brand name). This is the same league that would show the door to someone just because of the length of their hair, their gender or the colour of their skin - they're mere padding material, as my wife would say.

[garyinla]

I played one of these models once, i think it was a tenor. I didnt like it. Just seemed to play kind of dead.

[BOPITY FUNK]

Whatever my professional opinions on these models may be, this so called "band director" needs to learn tact and good manners. I would NEVER demean a person's equipment in such a manner. No doubt the guy is on a good salary and can afford the finest instruments. I sincerely hope Gsharp that your horn is a good one and wish you well Regards BF

[modman]

Whatever my professional opinions on these models may be, this so called "band director" needs to learn tact and good manners. I would NEVER demean a person's equipment in such a manner. No doubt the guy is on a good salary and can afford the finest instruments. I sincerely hope Gsharp that your horn is a good one and wish you well Regards BF

Agreed. and this was done to a student. a young ego still building self-esteem.

Sad state of affairs when this come from educators. B8-)

[milandro]

there's much snobism about equipment among musicians and much of it is only based on prejudice ( you see that a lot also among those who have opinions about the Asiatic products of today based , at the very best, on yesterday's knowledge or more often than not mere prejudice. Your Grassi is a very good instrument, treat it as such. It deserves a good overhaul and it will serve you well for a long time. Modern Grassi are indeed Asian horns, the " Jazzy line" is made in Taiwan and perhaps the cheaper lines in China. The Jazzy line is a very good instrument .

[garyinla]

the grassi 2000 tenor i tried was made in Italy

[milandro]

yes that model is definitely made in Italy, the other models made more recently are Asian imports, though good ones, different from the old stuff.

[G Sharp]

Wow. First off, thank you for these replies. I am very glad to know that these are good horns (For the most part, but eveyone has different experiences) with a good make (Yes, it is an original Italian one). But mostly, I am feeling so much better about this experience with my director. I'm sure his intentions were good, but the impression I got from you guys is that he should've put told me in a nicer way, and I agree. I definitely know it'll be worth my time to look for good stories on this brand, just to show him. And I'm also looking foreward to enjoying this horn in the future, now that I know how good it can be!
Thank you all!

[mattdoran2006]

I just got a Grassi 2000 Professional soprano. I like the tone and can play it in tune. once i got Bb in tune the rest of the horn fell into place. I am using a Yamaha 4c with a Rico 2- 2 1/2 I am not a pro, but I know i am the limitation not the horn. I have played bad horns-this one is not bad at all.


Best of Luck
matt

[J.Max]

I had one of these a few years back traded it against a Buescher----foolish me!no comparison. Some of the Grassi tenors are ok good sound, but that Sop.had no resonance and the intonation was all over the place. I've had a Yanagasawa for the last 7 years but for tone the Buescher beats them all.
Regards BF


See, funny thing for me is that I can't play on Bueschers for anything. Too much resistance, I have trouble keeping them in tune, and I don't like the keywork either. They do have a nice sound though. To each their own, I guess.

[MMM]

hey G Sharp,

if it can make you feel even better, I can post the original UK new price when these saxes were still made (1985/86) and they weren't cheap!

Also bear in mind that the tuning on ANY sop (other than Yani!) made until then was a bit hit and miss (have a look at the value of a MK6 sop against a MK6 tenor or alto!).

Also recently sax.co.uk had a Professional 2000 in pristine condition and if memory serves me right, they were selling it something around £700 (that's UK sterling)...about $1000 at today's rate?
For all the other comments, I believe there was a difference between the "Model 2000" and the "Professional 2000"...

Deja vu?

MMM

[J.Max]

hey G Sharp,

if it can make you feel even better, I can post the original UK new price when these saxes were still made (1985/86) and they weren't cheap!

Also bear in mind that the tuning on ANY sop (other than Yani!) made until then was a bit hit and miss (have a look at the value of a MK6 sop against a MK6 tenor or alto!).

Also recently sax.co.uk had a Professional 2000 in pristine condition and if memory serves me right, they were selling it something around £700 (that's UK sterling)...about $1000 at today's rate?
For all the other comments, I believe there was a difference between the "Model 2000" and the "Professional 2000"...

Deja vu?

MMM

There are some differences, and I've made a thread which outlines them...

[MMM]

Thanks J.Max,

that was the Deja vu!

Anyway as promised, from the 1995 Lewington Bros (London) Price List:
Grassi Soprano £1400 , Grassi Prestige (with high F#) £1690 !

Enjoy your sop and have it checked by a tech, it could make a BIG difference.

Cheers,
M.