Updated July 2026
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 (link coming) on how to spot the differences.
NB: You will notice some of the links below still go to the old website. As the contents gets updated and moved to The New Bassic Sax, the links will be updated.
Intro
In 1992, only a year after VMI had entered the big-leagues with its Series 2001, 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, and was available in a variety of series—all with rich, hand engraving. Production on the various Guardala Models continued until the early 2000s.1
Who is Dave Guardala, anyway?
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.
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. 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
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—or were made—by different companies.
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.
How Dave Guardala® saxes were described by a dealer
While researching these B&S horns I initially 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:
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. 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 – 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. 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.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20040605092118/http://www.saxophones.co.uk/Dave%20Guardala%20saxes.htm
Endorsing shown artists included: Branford Marsalis, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum, and Michael Brecker.
Models and finish options
Dave Guardala® saxophones (DG) were only available in alto, tenor and baritone versions.
While researching the updates for this page, I discovered that I had an undated DG saxophone brochure undated filed in a backup drive from years ago. This brochure is not dated, but is from a period of time when DG had his horns distributed through LA Sax (post-January 1, 2000). This brochure is the real info I have found about the Artist Series bari, which will be discussed separately below.
Notwithstanding the DG baritones, there were quite a few variations of the altos and tenors for players to choose from.4
Artist Series
NB: the tenor was developed in conjunction with Michael Brecker & Tom Scott.5
Specs
- Model level: professional.
- Composition: 72% formulated Copper alloy yellow brass.
- Construction: hand-made, with full rib post construction, and a hand-hammered bell.
- All rods are solid nickel silver with stainless steel screws; springs are tempered blue steel; and authentic Mother of Pearl key buttons are used throughout.
- Came standard with: custom hand-made French pads, by Chanu, with metal resonators.
- Hand engraving.
- Keyed to high F#.
- Extensive fine tuning key adjustment screws at all critical points.
- Classic Paris gold lacquer finish.
- Upper and lower key stacks are ergonomically designed for smooth, accurate and positive feel under the fingers.
Finish options
- Classic Paris gold lacquer finish.
- Black nickel plate with keys, key cups, key guards and all other moving parts in triple silver plate. Engraving on the bell is seen in bright brass highlights—as is the custom, hand carved engraving through the black nickel surface.
- Hand engraving over the body, bell and neck in the same extensive floral style typical of Guardala saxophones.
Artist Series models
Some examples of finishes and engraving
The floral engraving on the Dave Guardala® Artist Series horns was not all identical. The following examples give you an idea of how beautiful, but different, some of the hand engraving was.
I don’t know how many different styles of engraving there were, or for that matter if custom engraving was available from B&S.
Alto DG-400BN # 012XXX – black nickel with silver plated keys
Tenor DG-500GL # 0038X – gold lacquer
- Not sure about the serial #. This is what Chadd provided, but it doesn’t make sense. This tenor is from the first year of production—like the silver plated one below—but still would have a 6-digit serial. I am pretty sure the the 0038 is correct, but after that?
Tenor DG-500SP # 00382X – silver plate
- Although not listed on the saxophones.co.uk web archive page, this finish was clearly available.
- Not sure about this model #. Chadd provided it. I haven’t seen it listed anywhere. In the original print materials from Dave Guardala®, it is simply listed as DGTSSP.
Tenor DG-500GP Serial # Unknown – Gold plate
- This finish was also not listed on the saxophones.co.uk web archives page, but was available—likely by special order.
Dave Guardala® Baritone Saxophones – Artist Series
- On Jan. 1, 2000, LA Sax took over the worldwide distribution of DG saxophones. There may have been baris before this, but I have not seen any printed materials that include reference to the horn.
- An undated Dave Guardala® saxophone brochure showing LA Sax as its distributor, lists the DG 600GL & DG 600BN baritones.
- I have only seen 4 DG baris in all my years of researching the brand.
- Compare the features in the horns below to the Medusa baritone 3259. Unfortunately I have not seen any Series 2001 baritones to compare them too. However, according to a B&S dealer, there was really not much difference between the Series 2001 & 2006. And when it comes to the bari, it’s likely that there is almost zero difference anyway.
The undated DG saxophone brochure post-January 1,2000, describes the DG 600GL & BN like this:
Ideal for professional artists. Has LOW “A” feature. Critical key cups have double strutted key arms to guarantee positive feel and action in all registers. Controlled Resistance™ assures open/free blowing at all voumes. Virtually flawless intonation from one register to next.
Baritone DG-600 BN # 013266 – black nickel with silver plated keys
Baritone DG-600 GL # unknown – Gold Lacquer
- Note the peg. This looks original to the instrument. However, this is the only B&S bari I have ever seen with a floor peg. Custom order perhaps?
Baritone DG-600 GL # unknown – Gold Lacquer
Pro Custom Series
NB: the tenor was developed in conjunction with Michael Brecker & Tom Scott.6
I discovered that I had an undated DG saxophone brochure filed in a backup drive from years ago. This is how this series was described in it:
This series of Dave Guardala® saxophones represent the next step in design and tone quality. By changing the saxophone’s Copper content from 72% to 85%, the Pro-Custom Series offers more brilliance, crispness and Controlled Resistance™ throughout all tonal ranges. In addition, improved beauty and aesthetics played an important role in development. So we created a special clear lacquer formula to enhance their richness and visual appeal. Silver-plated keys add the finishing touches to these masterpieces.
Specs
- Model level: professional.
- Composition: 85% copper alloy (goldbrass), which B&S claimed offered more “brilliance, crispness and controlled resistance throughout all tonal ranges“.
- Construction: mechanical and design specifications are similar to the DG-400 and 500.
- Ostensibly the gold brass gave the Pro Custom a marginally brighter sound than the Artist Series.
Finish Options
- Clear lacquer over goldbrass with triple silver plated keys.
- Black nickel plate over goldbrass with triple silver plated keys.
- Hand engraved.
Pro Custom Series models
These Pro Custom Series, goldbrass horns were stamped as such by the right thumb rest. Note that there were differences in the floral engraving on the bell and bow.
DG-501BN #003102 – Black nickel plated goldbrass
DG-501 BN #005393 – Black nickel plated goldbrass
New York Series™
These very spectacular horns remain arguably the most sought-after of the Dave Guardala® series of B&S saxophones. They were described like this on the dealer’s website:
This very special series of Alto and Tenor Saxophones represents the epitome of aesthetic design, mechanical genius and advanced brass alloy treatment. Once the player gets beyond the optimal sound performance of this instrument, he or she will be overwhelmed with the European hand craftsmanship that goes into each and every instrument. As the series title states, “NEW YORK”, each instrument is painstakingly hand engraved with traditional and historic pictorials of famous N.Y.C. landmarks. The Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and NYC Skyline are just a few of the scenes depicted on each instrument. Keys, bell, neck, body (back and front) are meticulously hand engraved to reflect NYC in an art form never before available on a musical instrument.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20040605092118/http://www.saxophones.co.uk/Dave%20Guardala%20saxes.htm
I also discovered that I had an undated DG saxophone brochure filed in a backup drive from years ago. This is how this series was described in it:
The New York Series™ is the height of musical artistry an design. With a tonal palette so rich, you can’t help but experience their improved resonance, clarity and dynamics. The result of a unique process known as HI-PULSE™ annealing, which is performed on the brass alloy to create a smooth, symmetric, harmonic plateau. This combination of specially engineered components and engraving offers a sound that begs your all and feeds your soul. Experience their sonic performance in two distinct styles: black nickel plating with silver-plated keys; or silver plating with gold-plated keys.
Specs
- Model level: professional.
- Composition: B&S claimed that they used a “special brass…in this series [that] is a result of ‘HI-PULSE’™ annealing, which delivers an instrument possessing the most advanced harmonic purity in all registers.” 7
- Construction: mechanical and design features were similar to previously noted Dave Guardala® models.
- This model came with blue steel needle springs; Chanu French pads; authentic mother of pearl key button inlays; and solid nickel silver rods.
Finish options
- Black nickel plated with silver plated keys.
- Silver plated with all key work in gold plate.
- Hand engraving on keys, bell, neck, as well as the front and back of the body with New York City landmarks.
New York Series models
To give you a better idea of what the engraving on these Dave Guardala® New York Series horns looked like, here are a couple of examples.
Alto DG-402BN # 010XXX
- It sports engraving of the Twin Towers on its bell.
Tenor DG-502SP # ?
- It has the Statue of Liberty proudly engraved on its bell.
Earth Tone Series™
NB: This series was developed in conjunction with Michael Brecker & Tom Scott.8
I discovered that I had an undated DG saxophone brochure filed in a backup drive from years ago. This is how this series was described in it:
The Earth Tone Series™ embodies a unique blend of the New York Series’ advanced HI-PULSE™ annealing process which yields exceptional resonance and increased tonal palette and ease through register changes. Renowned artists Michael Brecker and Tom Scott collaborated in the research and development of these masterpieces. Featuring a special glass bead and fine sand textured surface, these rare instruments offer remarkable resonance, beauty and artistic expression.
Specs
- Model level: professional.
- Composition: B&S used an advanced HI-PULSE brass annealing process on the Dave Guardala® Earthtone Series™.
- Construction: The company claimed that there was an improved smoothness and ease of register changes. The glass bead and fine sand texture were supposed to add resonance.
- Designed to the same high standards as the New York Series of Dave Guardala® horns, but with a sound reminiscent of a 1950s saxophone. (Or so B&S claimed.)
Finish
- Matt gold finish with gold lacquer inner bell.
- The finish is protected by a newly developed clear lacquer that cures to a fine matte finish.
- Extensively hand engraved on body, bell, bow, neck, and inner bell with the same extensive floral style typical of Guardala saxophones.
Earth Tone Series™ models
DG-503ET # 015149
- Here is an example of a stunning Dave Guardala® Earth Tone Series™ tenor that Dave Kessler’s shop sold as a used horn. It does not look like it was played at all. Very few used horns fall into the true “minty” category; this horn however, does.
Some general comments about the Dave Guardala® saxophones by B&S
Unlike the Series 2001 that they were based upon, the DG horns did not seem to improve markedly over their production run. While there may have been very subtle changes that did not get noted on the dealer’s website, we know for a fact that the Dave Guardala® saxophones did not get any of the obvious improvements we saw over the Series 2001’s production run. Improvements such as: adjustable left palm keys, or an anti-stick G# key.
Nonetheless, the Dave Guardala® saxophones still have a loyal following, and some—especially the New York Series with the Twin Towers engraving—have maintained their value quite well. These were lovely instruments that were built extremely well.
Why Stephen Howard speaks so poorly of the one he play-tested is a bit of mystery. (But then remember, this is the same fellow who complains about 100% of JK’s tone hole rings being an epic fail on horns he’s worked on, when no one else does. 
)
On the other hand, remember Steve, AKA “Sarge” Stransky from World Wide Sax, owned two, and he only collected the best saxophones for his personal collection.
1 In Saxophone: Ein Kompendium, by Uwe Ladwig, Second edition 2012, p. 150, the author states production of these horns ended in 2000. Some conflicting information can be found on an archived copy of saxophones.co.uk’s Dave Guardala® saxophone page however. On an August 5, 2004 screen grab it states that DG production has now ceased.
2 September 18, 2009: Guardala Receives Four-Year Sentence in Music inc.
undated An undated Dave Guardala® saxophone brochure that shows LA Sax as its distributor. According to a Dec. 13, 1999, Press Release, LA Sax was taking over as worldwide distributor for all models of DG saxophones and MPs effective January 1, 2000.
4 The following model and finish information (as well as photos, unless cited differently) all come from archived saxophones.co.uk webpages.
5 Archived saxophones.co.uk webpage.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
