{"id":8607,"date":"2016-01-03T15:58:29","date_gmt":"2016-01-03T22:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/?page_id=8607"},"modified":"2021-01-02T10:33:55","modified_gmt":"2021-01-02T12:33:55","slug":"dave-guardala","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/modern-saxes\/vogtlandische-musikinstrumentenfabrik-gmbh-markneukirchen-vmi\/dave-guardala\/","title":{"rendered":"Dave Guardala"},"content":{"rendered":"
Looking at buying a particular Dave Guardala sax? Make sure that it indeed the real deal and not one from the ROC. Here’s an article<\/a> on how to spot the differences.<\/h5>\n
\"Dave<\/a>
Dave Guardala Model, Earth Tone Series Source: Dave Kessler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To aid in navigation, I\u2019ve added some links here for you to the various sections of this page. (Just click the \u201cBack\u201d button on your browser to bring you back to this set of boxes.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Dave Guardala The Man<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Dealer Description<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Models & Finish Options<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Artist Series<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Egs. Of Finishes & Engraving<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Pro Custom Series<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Eg. of Finish & Engraving<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New York Series<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Eg. Of Finish & Engraving<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Earthtone Series<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Eg. Of A Minty Earthtone Tenor<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
General Comments & Thoughts<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
\u00a0Sources<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In 1992, only a year after VMI had entered the big-leagues<\/em> with its Series 2001<\/a>, their close working relationship with Dave Guardala paid off big time when they introduced the Guardala Model to the North American market. This sax was really a variation of the Series 2001<\/a>, and was available in a variety of series\u2014all with rich, hand engraving. Production on the various Guardala Models continued until the early 2000s.1<\/a><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Who is Dave Guardala, anyway?<\/h2>\n

Dave Guardala is a name that carries a lot of baggage today, but back in the early 1990s, his name was well-recognized in the North American saxophone world as a primo, custom saxophone mouthpiece maker. Guardala mouthpieces were used by some of the world’s most talented saxophonists. Even today, some of Guardala’s vintage custom pieces from the 1980s will fetch close to $2000.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Dave Guardala got himself into some legal trouble, and ended up with a four-year prison sentence when he plead guilty to one count of wire fraud 2<\/sup><\/a>. His crimes were much more serious however: he had defrauded fellow saxophonists out of thousands of dollars. As a matter of fact, reference was made to the “millions of dollars” he had gotten from “dozens of people”.3<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Today there are so many brands of mouthpieces carrying the Dave Guardala name that it is hard to keep them all straight. They are made\u2014or were made\u2014by different companies.<\/p>\n

But back when B&S forged their partnership with Dave Guardala he was not yet a convicted criminal, and his name was still well reputed within the North American saxophone community. It was this good reputation that allowed B&S to gain some traction in the US and Canadian marketplaces.<\/a><\/p>\n

How the horn was described by a dealer<\/h2>\n

While researching these B&S horns I hit serious hurdles in uncovering information about the models and finish options available. Then I was lucky enough to come across some archived copies of saxophones.co.uk’s Dave Guardala page. This is how saxophones.co.uk described these lovely B&S stencil horns at the time:<\/p>\n

Designed and made to the specification of US sax guru Dave Guardala. Produced in the heart of Germany’s renowned musical instrument district, an area famous for exceptional manufacturing. Technically engineered and handcrafted beyond the ordinary<\/strong>. By fulfilling the artists highest demands, these saxes achieve optimal response, superior intonation and tonal richness across all ranges. As a result they have found their way into the hands of professional musicians worldwide. Their popularity is due in part to their excellent acoustical properties, ease of performance, flawless mechanical quality and impeccable beauty<\/strong> – all resulting from decades of incomparable manufacturing processes, meticulous workmanship, continuous research and development, artist input, and the personal pride of each tradesman. Dave Guardala saxes are reminiscent of horns produced in an era when materials and craftsmanship were never compromised<\/strong>. A manufacturing philosophy that has long given way to mass production and bottom lines only to leave the purist empty. Dave Guardala saxes recapture that full, American sound of old, and create a better sound for tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Source: https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20040605092118\/http:\/\/www.saxophones.co.uk\/Dave%20Guardala%20saxes.htm<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Endorsing shown artists included: Branford Marsalis, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum, and Michael Brecker.<\/a><\/p>\n

Models and finish options<\/h2>\n

Dave Guardala saxophones (DG) were only available in alto, tenor and some baritone versions. (The baritones were not particularly well received, nor marketed.) However, there were quite a few variations of the altos and tenors for players to choose from.4<\/a> <\/sup><\/p>\n

Artist Series<\/h2>\n

NB: the tenor was developed in conjunction with Michael Brecker & Tom Scott.5<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Specs<\/h3>\n