From my correspondence with the owner, it appears that the prototypes
here are Orsi model instruments. All Orsi instruments are made by
hand. For instruments like the sarrusophone, they first make a model
or prototype to get the exact bore dimensions and positions of all
the pads: this involves making holes to a first approximation,
testing the instrument for intonation, and then repositioning some or
all of the tone holes. The process reiterates until the intonation
is satisfactory. The sarrusophones in question apparently show signs
of the process, with multiple patches where tone holes have been
closed and repositioned. As they were not meant to be commercial
products, the sarrusophones are all in raw brass, without lacquer or
other finish (except for the soprano, which was apparently made in
1981, not a model, and has a nickel finish). At this point, I would
expect the brass to be very dark. His opinion is that the old
prototypes play better than more recent Orsi instruments, and that
the old factory management and workers did a better job.

Enjoy!

Grant

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Grant Green gdgreen@...
http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
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