Comparison of Model 2000/Professional 2000 Sopranos

[J.Max]

Here are some comparison pics from my two Grassi 2000 sopranos. The first one is the "Model 2000" and the second is the "Professional 2000":

Full shot:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Model%202000/grassi1.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Pro%202000/pro20001.jpg


Right hand pinky keys:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Model%202000/grassi2.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Pro%202000/pro20002.jpg


Left hand keys:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Model%202000/grassi3.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Pro%202000/pro20003.jpg


Left hand pinky cluster:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Model%202000/grassi4.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Pro%202000/pro20004.jpg


Model names:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Model%202000/grassi5.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/DarthViolence/Pro%202000/pro20005.jpg

[J.Max]

Here are the differences:

1. The left-hand pinky cluster. On the Professional 2000, the G# key is articulated, on the Model 2000, the G# is not. The Model 2000 is nearly identical to the Buffet SDA in this respect, while the Professional 2000 is similar to a Selmer SA-80.

2. The Professional 2000 is keyed to high F#, the Model 2000 is keyed to high F.

3. The Professional 2000 has a slightly less flared bore - it's a slightly more gradual flare and slightly longer horn. It's also a little darker, but not by much.

4. The side F is smaller on the Model 2000, again very similar to a Buffet.

5. The Professional 2000 doesn't have a lyre post. EDIT: this is incorrect...it does have a lyre post, but it's shorter.

6. The lacquer is different...the Model 2000 is more "yellow" if that makes sense. Reminds me of the Yamaha YAS-52 lacquer.

7. The case on the Professional 2000 is...well...not very good.

Both have excellent snappy action, excellent intonation, and a rich nice medium dark sound. (Not as dark as a Buescher, not as bright as a Yamaha.)

The odd thing is that I've also compared the Model 2000 and Professional 2000 altos and tenors, and they are identical other than different lacquer. The biggest differences in the sopranos are the articulated G# key, and the high F# key, which are present and accounted for on both the Model 2000 and Professional 2000 altos and tenors.

Any questions?

[pc1234]

Thanks very much for posting - I've got a Model 2000 and never understood what the differences were, if any, in comparison to a Pro 2000.

Did either of yours come with a mouthpiece? Mine didn't, at least I don't remember one, and I bought it new from a store back in 1989. Bought a Bilger-Morgan to go with it at the time.

[Rackety Sax]

...Any questions?
Yes. Which one is for sale? :twisted:

[J.Max]

Yes. Which one is for sale? :twisted:

The Model 2000 will be for sale soon, for no other reason other than I like the left hand pinky cluster better on the Professional 2000. It'll break up my pretty matched set though. (Well, kind of...)

Oh, and neither came with an original mouthpiece. The Model 2000 came with a Yamaha 4C and the Professional 2000 came with a Morgan 7J (!).

[milandro]

And what would you say the price of your horn for sale will be? Any details dings , scratches, pads?

[J.Max]

And what would you say the price of your horn for sale will be? Any details dings , scratches, pads?


It's perfect and I wouldn't say that unless I meant it...in fact, I'm pretty sure that it's only been played a few times. I've only practiced with it for a few hours, and I got it back in September. When I got it, it actually came with the original receipt from 1990. I'm probably going to swap the cases, and I originally paid around $750 for it. If anyone wants to make me an offer...feel free. I won't put it into an official sales thread until tomorrow because I'd like for someone who will appreciate it to have it.

[milandro]

Thanks J.Max, I appreciate it. I always try to buy bigger things than mpcs locally in order to escape being skinned by couriers and customs fees. So I'll have a look around here first, I think.;) :)

[J.Max]

The Model 2000 is now for sale in this thread:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=73215

[Al 77]

Hi!

It´s great to find a forum like this in the internet!!

I´m looking for a Grassi Soprano and i found this Ida Maria Grassi Soprano Professional 2.000... but i´m not sure about it.

I attach the photos and i make you a question...

As i see in your reviews, photos and Grassi horns i know, the name Professional use to be engraved whith a beautiful letter and in this one... is a normal letter!

I don´t know if it´s really a Pro or it´s an 2.000 model "updated" to professional. :shock:

It also has the lyric hole and doesn´t have the hi F#...:doubt:

Please help me!!

5075

5076

5077

5079

5080

Thanks

Al

[J.Max]

I don't think that's a Professional 2000. There's no high F# key, and the G# key looks wrong. (The G# key should be articulated.) That's also the wrong font for the "Professional 2000" and on the Professional 2000, the left hand pinky keys are at a different angle to the body. I've also never seen a Professional 2000 soprano with nickel keywork, but I have seen altos and tenors that have silverplated keys. That looks like nickel to me. What's the serial number?

[Al 77]

Hi!

Thanks J.Max!

The serial number is 61XXX... (i don´t know the exact serial number...)

Al 77

[J.Max]

That would put it in the early Professional 2000 range, so this may be some sort of transistional model. The story I've heard is that the last Model 2000s were hastily rebadged "Professional 2000" at the end of their run, so this may be one of those...but it looks just like my old Model 2000 except with nickel keywork. If it has an articulated G# key, it's definitely some sort of transtional model, because the only Grassi sopranos with that feature are the Professional/Prestige 2000s.

It's a bit hard to tell, but the G# doesn't look articulated to me.

[J.Max]

I'm bumping this because I know someone who is looking at a Model 2000, and will need some comparison pics.