I think I have shopped in every music store in Vancouver that sells saxophone supplies for professional players. This week I wanted to pick up a couple of Protec Pro Pac saxophone cases, so I went to the store that I knew had very fair prices (better than the two big Canadian chain stores that have super stores here in town), and where the owner himself is usually one of the people helping you: Massullo Music.
Massullo’s is one of those rare birds that still dots the retail landscape: an independent music store that hasn’t been squeezed out of existence by big box stores or by Internet sales. As a person who actually likes to support local business and the local economy, I’m very happy about that. I like to know that local people are benefiting from the money that I spend in their shop.
Massullo Music has is owned by Sandro Massullo, and has been a fixture on the Vancouver musical landscape since 2001. Prior to opening his own shop, Sandro already had a solid reputation with Vancouver musicians for his workmanship and service.
If you like vintage saxophones, you’ll likely not find a larger selection of vintage saxophones to try out than those at Massullo Music. When I was there on Wednesday, I saw no less than about 12, and those were just those in their display cabinet. Among the notable ones were an interesting Super 20 tenor with a sterling silver neck, a Mark VI tenor, and a Grassi bari (didn’t see any model name engraved on it). Sorry, I didn’t pay attention to the makes and models of the altos and sopranos, the bigger horns always attract my attention. 😉
As I mentioned at the outset though, what I really went to Sandro’s shop to buy were a couple of Protec Pro Pac cases. I have been wanting a tenor case for my Hohner president for quite some time. While its original case is minty as the horn is, as I’ve noted in my description of the gear, the original cases are crap, and don’t protect the horn worth a damn. Also, one of the short screws that holds the handle into the flimsy case is loose. I figure it’s only a matter of time before the handle breaks away and the case falls—and with my luck, the horn will be in it. 
Sandro had exactly what I wanted, so I picked up a Contoured Tenor Sax Pro Pac Case.
I also wanted to get a new case for my Martin Committee III bari. I’ve been keeping it in a first generation Protec case—one of the trapezoidal-shaped cases. (I believe they were called Pro Pac Standard.) I just find the case a bit too cumbersome to pack around however, and really wanted to get a Contoured Baritone Sax Pro Pac Case.
Massullo Music had one of these in stock, so I picked it up for my new Martin. Something to note though for all you The Martin Baritone players looking for replacement cases: there is just a little too much wiggle room in the Pro Pac case. The case accommodates a longer bari, so you’ll have to make up for the room at the top (or bottom) with a bit of filler. It also really helps if you have an end plug. (Sorry no pics of my horn in its new case. It’s too early in the day, and the sun is shining in the room still. I’ll take a few pics sometime and add them.)
These two Protec Pro Pac cases are not the first saxophone cases that I’ve bought at Massullo Music. Almost three years ago to the day I bought a J.W. Eastman tenor case from Sandro’s shop. It was then that I discovered how reasonable their prices were.
If you’re in the Vancouver region and you haven’t visited Massullo Music, what are you waiting for? Stop in and see what Sandro and his staff have. (BTW, the shop also has a nice selection of vintage mouthpieces to try out. That’s where my Brilhart Level Air tenor came from.)
Oh, and if you’re looking for new horns—BTW, why are you reading my website? 😉 —Massullo’s is also the North American distributor for Trevor James saxophones. I didn’t have any mouthpieces with me when I was the shop on Wednesday, so I’ll have to try out a couple of the horns the next time I’m in. I am curious about them, because so many of my colleagues from the other side of the pond seem to really like theirs.
Helen, I am MontyMac’s daughter. It is with great sadness that I write this to tell you that my dad, the man that has been posting as MontyMac has passed away. I know that he enjoyed your blog and the interactions he has had on your sight. He has even turned me on to the website.
Hi there.
I was very sorry to hear about your dad’s sudden passing. He seemed like a very kind soul, and I always enjoyed exchanging emails with him. He was always willing to lend a hand, offer his opinion, and provide his insight when it came to his favourite brand of saxophone: Grassi.
When I recently saw the Grassi bari at Massullo Music, I really did think of your dad as I was standing in the shop. I was thinking too bad that I don’t have my bari mouthpiece with me, because I’m sure Monty will have a boatload of questions for me about what it plays like; looks like, etc, etc. I was planning on going back and trying it out so that that I could report back to him.
I know your dad was very proud of you, and your love of the saxophone. He and I spoke of what it was like to share such an important love with one’s daughter.
Please know that you are in my thoughts. I wish you, your mom, and those grieving Monty’s passing, some peace during this difficult period…helen
Well, if it was not for the veil of obscurity that has become The History of I.M.Grassi, I would be required to “Eat My Crow”, preferably with dumplings, concerning my assertions of the existence of a “student line of Grassis. They were indeed made in the mid to late ’80s and named Concertino.
Manlio even came upon some pics of an alto and tenor currently for sale. He’s appended them to his Grassi article on Cafe Saxophone
http://cafesaxophone.com/threads/grassi-saxophones.13245/page-2#post-179647
It seems I’m not the only one who (obsessed is such a Strong Word for this) deeply admires The Lady Ida’s sassofoni.
I stand corrected.
Thank you MontyMac for all this info re: the Grassi horns. It was very interesting. FWIW, I have heard of a Concertino model before—but interestingly enough, it was a student line from another Italian brand: Orsi.
Based on the pics you provided, to the best of my recollection, the bari at Massullo’s would be a Concertino model. That said, I am expecting a call from the store about an order I placed, so now I am going to ask them about the sax. Also, if it is still there when I go in the next time, I’m going to take a snap shot of it, or perhaps even give it a blow.
One additional pic for future identification purposes.
This picture comes from Proel’s current catalog.
http://www.proel.com/catalog/view/theme/default/download/catalogues/grassi_catalogue.pdf
The only bari made is considered ‘Intermediate’ As you had related, no bell engraving, just the Grassi Logo stamp. And for future reference, the new Proel logo only says “Italy” just below “Grassi”, not “Made In Italy” as those made in Quarna Sotto. The other defining feature of Original Grassis that most overlook is the bow connector rings, and in the case of the Bari even the upper bow, that have a Laurel pattern embossed in to them. The new Grassi simply swedges the tubing into overlapping the joint like every other Eastern made sax. In fact, in searching the web for over 2 years for saxophone pictures, and I’m OCD enough to go to page 20 on a google search, I’ve Never seen another Mark that uses that design.
This bow ring Laurel Pattern is how I know that my La Monte Superior and A. Cassini Tenors are mid ’60s Grassi stencils.
There was a posting on the Grassi (Old) facebook page from a gentleman who has owned and played the Proel saxes, that the first gen New Grassis were pretty good, but the latest ones are, well, Not so good.
I attempted to respond the other day while the server was on DEFCON 1 but it thought I was a spambot.
If the beasty only had the I.M.Grassi stamp on the bell with No engraving it is most likely a Proel Taiwanese horn.
In approximately 1994 the Lady Ida wanted to retire and none of her children wanted anything to do with the business. She sold the brand and logo to an Italian “gentleman” who shortly thereafter sold it to Proel, who imports Everything.
Attached is a circa 1975-6 Low A Grassi.
No, not a “student model” either. Grassi only made alto and soprano “band” models but I’ve never seen one.
A GGGGGRASSI BARI? :drooling:
Is it a Jade? No piccies? :groan:
And you didn’t test play it? 😯
Well, come to think of of it, good thing you didn’t. I’m pretty sure “someone” would be a little miffed when you brought “another one?” home with you. :devil1:
Figured that Grassi bari reference would get your attention MontyMac! 😉 I was thinking of you when I looked at it actually.
Sorry, no pics. I had no camera; no mouthpieces with me, and apparently no attention to detail either, since I failed to note if it had green rollers. (I thought I should be looking for those, but someone forgot to register the answer in my brain.) :duh:
I can tell you that the bell had nothing other than the typical Grassi logo engraved on it. I’m not familiar enough (at all really) with Grassi to know by sight what it was, but it looked very plain in construction. I would have pegged it as a student model. They did make them, didn’t they?
Oh, no danger of me bringing another sax home. My G.A.S. is currently totally under control, but looking is always fun… :devil2: (I just have to remember to stay off Craigslist. That’s where I run into the greatest temptations.)