Grafton Alto Saxophone

Presented In Perfect Working Condition. Stored in collectors temperature controlled music room for 40 years.

One owner.

Original Case and original strap from the late 50's.

One of the last few remaining Grafton Alto Saxophones available in working order.

The following information from Wikipedia as follows:

The Grafton saxophone is an injection moulded, cream-coloured acrylic plastic alto saxophone with metal keys, manufactured in London, England by the Grafton company, and later by 'John E. Dallas & Sons Ltd'. Grafton made only altos, owing to the manufacturing challenges presented by larger models (e.g., the tenor) with 1950s plastic technologies. Production commenced in 1950 and ended after approximately ten years. However, a few last examples were assembled from residual parts circa 1967.

Charlie Parker

The most notable player of a Grafton saxophone was Charlie Parker. While in Toronto, Charlie Parker and "the quintet" were scheduled to perform at Massey Hall, but Parker had pawned his saxophone - some sources^[ say to buy heroin. A sales representative for Grafton (or the owner of the company, depending on the source) asked Parker to use a Grafton for a Massey Hall gig in May 1953. Although Parker was under exclusive contract to use only one type of saxophone while gigging in the United States, outside the U.S. he was free to use any sax he wished. Parker (credited as Charlie Chan due to contract issues) can be heard playing this Grafton on the album Jazz at Massey Hall with Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus and Max Roach, albeit through a low fidelity recording.

The Grafton saxophone that Parker used (serial number 10265) was sold at the Christie's auction house in London in September 1994 for £93,500 sterling.

The buyer was the American Jazz Museum, located in Parker's home town of Kansas City, Missouri.

Legacy

^{The Grafton saxophone remains a historical curiosity and a footnote to the careers of Charlie Parker and Ornette Coleman among jazz buffs.}

The plastic body and bell of the Grafton creates a sound very similar to a conventional brass saxophone, as the sound of a saxophone is created by the player, mouthpiece and cone of air, the body material having no influence on tone. The Grafton was used for artistic effect by Ornette Coleman on his album, The Shape of Jazz to Come.

It is unusual to see a Grafton being played by performers in the 21st century. As a general rule, Graftons are now regarded purely as collectors' items i.e. for display purposes only.