Grafton saxophone

The Grafton saxophone was an injection moulded, cream-coloured plastic alto saxophone manufactured by the Grafton company, and later by 'John Dallas Ltd'. They have a plangent, rather brittle sound. Only Grafton altos were ever made, due to the technical challenges in making larger models such as the tenor. Production commenced in 1950 and ended after approximately ten years. However, a few last examples were assembled from residual parts circa 1967. All tools, machinery and jigs required to manufacture the Grafton were sold for scrap and subsequently destroyed in 1968.

Designed by an Italian, Hector Sommaruga, Grafton saxophones have a very distinctive appearance due to their 1950s Italian style. The mechanical action of Graftons has an unusual "spongy" feel to it, without the quick, "snappy", positive feel of other more conventional saxophone actions. The plastic technology used in the Grafton dates from the late 1940s and is therefore not as robust as the injection moulded plastics used in the 21st century. The Grafton's unique plastic construction is brittle and component parts can easily crack or snap. As a result, Graftons are very challenging to overhaul and repair when compared to saxophones made entirely of metal e.g. Selmer or Conn. For these reasons, and their comparative rarity, 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.

The instruments' most notable player was probably 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 upon from whom one receives the story) asked Parker to use a Grafton for a Massey Hall gig in May of 1953. Although Parker was under exclusive contract to use only one type of saxophone whilst gigging in the United States, outside the U.S.A. he was free to use any sax he wished, including this Grafton. The recording of Parker (credited as Charlie Chan due to contract issues) can be heard on the CD "Jazz at Massey Hall - Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Max Roach." 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.

Ornette Coleman also plays one, originally because it was the cheapest saxophone he could replace his first tenor with after it was stolen. In the late fifties and early sixties, Coleman was sometimes known as "the man with the plastic horn".

External links

• Review of the Grafton alto saxophone
• Additional information regarding the Grafton
• Video of Charlie Parker's Grafton saxophone at Christie's auction house - (played by Peter King)