Sell or not?

[Ralf1958]

I have a Ida Marie Grassie “Majestic” Intermediate Alto Saxophone. It was made in Italy in 1965 (I was told by the original owner). The serial number is 10783.

Although old, it looks (and plays) like it is brand new. It was completely torn down and rebuilt (including re-plated) in October 2005 by Independent Music Service of Sherwood Arkansas. I bought a new case and accessories, and it has been in the case ever since, waiting for someone to play it. I simply never had time. It's beautiful, I'm attached to it, know its historical ins and outs... but don't play at all. Isn't that strange? (I'm a guitarist).

I've let a friend play it, and noticed it holds low C with authority and an excellent timber. He told me it plays much better than his Yamaha. The 24k gold plate-over silver Otto Link Super Tonemaster mouthpiece gives it a different tone. It’s not normally matched to an Alto, I'm told... but paired to the Majestic, it produces a rich, lusty tone that sounds good for jazz.

The Otto Link is one is a rare-ish early ‘80s, “long-body” #7. I also have a black rubber mouthpiece (It’s a Meyer #4) that renders a useful, full tone also... but does not carry the punch of the gold Otto.

I'm torn. Should I sell the thing, or learn to play?
What's it worth?

Ralf :?

[Mick Stuppguy]

Shoot, take a couple of hours and have your friend give you a quick lesson on tone production and some basic fingerings. Then Learn a chorus of a simple song like "What a Wonderful World" and see if the horn gets under your skin.

Two year ago I tried sax on a whim and it really stuck to me, much to the detriment of my keyboard playing and the chagrine of my band-mates. But it's so worth it. Sax is very much like singing for me, only I have the ability to use a different, very powerful voice.

And if it does nothing for you, just let me know and I'll buy that old clunker off you for, oh, say $100 or so. How's that sound?

(Kidding, of course, unless you're in a particularly charitable mood.) In any case, have a little fun with it. Who knows . . .

[SearjeantSax]

yep! enjoy it and play it! simple as that.

[Ralf1958]

As they say in football: "On further review of the play..."

I'm going to have to sell it to pay for a college class. I'll be listing it in the sell area soon, for what I have in it.

Ralph