Hi Vickie,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

The brand is named after Robert Giardinelli (born Jan 23 1914, in Catania, Italy; died Oct 1 1996 in NYC). He emigrated to the U.S., served in the Army in WWII, and in 1946 opened a repair shop in the Bronx, later relocating to 151 W. 46th St., Manhattan. Giardinelli began primarily as a repair and mouthpiece-manufacturing business: he made custom mouthpieces for brass/winds and built a strong reputation among musicians. Over time, the “Giardinelli” name was extended to a line of instruments (saxophones, clarinets, flutes, brass) via branding/contract manufacture rather than being fully vertically integrated.

According to a historical summary: “circa 1950, Giardinelli starts making brass mouthpieces… 1984 the business is sold … in the 1990s mouthpieces purchased by Musician’s Friend. … trumpets and mouthpieces today made in the Czech Republic and marketed to students."

The GS812T (tenor) features a body and bell made of German nickel silver, with a black nickel-plated finish. It also had silver-plated keys, with black pearl key-buttons and came with two necks: one black-nickel plated neck, and one rose-brass neck with silver-plate finish. Both necks were usually serial-matched to the instrument. The use of nickel-silver body and dual necks gave it a more premium feel and flexibility in tone (depending on which neck you choose); most reviewers note that the rose-brass neck provides a warmer tonal color.

You have a tenor sax but in case you're interested, the alto version (GS812A) also shows similar luxury finishing: German nickel silver body, black nickel plating, elaborate hand engraving.

According to an online search, the serial number of 365182 appears to have been made around 2012 but these online databases are not 100% reliable so if you purchased this new more than 3 years before/after that date, please let me know as that may impact the value.

While refurbished ones can be acquired currently between $3,000 and $3,500 retail, ones of comparable age and in "as-is" condition usually bring between $700 and $1,000 at auction.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A modern Giardinelli GS812 tenor saxophone
Made in the Czech Republic, circa 2012
standard size in a lined hard case
CONDITION: This saxophone appears to be in generally good cosmetic condition. Playing condition not warranted.
PROVENANCE: inherited
$ 700-1,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia