Wil Grizzle's Woodwind Shop
Lawrenceville, GA

Wil Grizzle

Master mouthpiece maker, refacer and woodwind repair technician Wil Grizzle passed in late 2024.
Anyone who knows the professional world of Saxophones and Clarinets knew Wil;
he was trained in mouthpiece design and refacing by Robert Scott, Glen Johnston and other great luthiers.
He was also trained by many great luthiers at Woodwind Instrument Repair and was an excellent technician.
He did mouthpiece and horn work for pros such as Brecker, Mintzer, Sanborn, Mallach, Feldman and others.
His own hand-made brass Grizzle mouthpieces are beautiful pieces; I play one on bari and tenor and love them.

Above all, Wil was a kind hearted man, a fair businessman, quick with his wit and willing to impart the wisdom he had learned.
I remember many stories and anecdotes from him over the years - they often make me chuckle!
He was also a good husband and God-loving family man.
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My relationship to Wil

I began studying mouthpiece refacing and reed making with Wil at age of 15, while he was still in Memphis (before he moved to Atlanta in the 90s).
At some point I decided to concentrate on playing and laid refacing aside. Wil then became my mouthpiece luthier and main repairman.
He has repaired many of my horns - including an immaculate overhaul of a 104k MkVI tenor
and he has probably refaced 100's of mouthpieces for me over the years.

I miss Wil - a lot.
I am honored to help relocate some of his tools and materials from his shop.
These proceeds will be going to his wife, Dottie.
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Inventory

Below is a rundown on what has been inventoried and photographed so far.
Dottie has many of the original receipts for these tools and supplies (as well as many cool, vintage catalogs!)
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Pricing

Used items are priced at approx. 50% of retail.
New items are priced at approx. 75% of retail.
Shop tools are priced at whatever the fair-market value is.
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Location

All items are located in Lawrenceville, GA, 30043
The lathe, the mill and the bandsaw can easily moved out of the double glass doors, just a few steps away.
The Lathe and the Mill can be broken down into separate components and carried out by hand -
there is NO NEED for a moving truck and a big hassle.
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Contact

Happy to answer any questions you may have:
Dave Bass
678-793-8606
dave@davebass.com

Lathe
South Bend Lathe Co. 9" Lathe
Model 644-A
Serial #151886

The machine was turned over on August 16th, 2025; the calibration is excellent.
The Bed Rails are smooth and even, the Chuck and Spindle spin dead center,
the Cross Slide and Tail Stock move smoothly and the lathe is mounted on four adjustable feet.

Likely date of manufacture is 1943, shipped to the dealer in '44;
See the original file purchased from South Bend (below).
Wil purchased the lathe from its previous owner in 1981.

There are MANY accessories for this Lathe -
Please see the photos of the accessory shelf and individual pictures, below.

Poland No. 1035 - one of multiple chucks

Serial 151886

Model 644-A
Date Received (i.e. built, assembled and ready for sale) 3-23-44

9" Model, 12 speed HMD (Horizontal Motor Drive)

Existing Gear box Configuration
1

Milling Machine
1984 Enco Milling & Drilling Machine
Model 91002
Manufactured 1984

This Mill is in excellent condition -
there are a good number of accessories for it (see pics below - more pics coming).
A precision machine, popular among machinists.
Wil made Sax and Clarinet mouthpieces, Clarinet barrels and instrument parts on this machine and the Lathe - all high tolerance work.

Cements and Adhesives

Scotchbrite Pads
Wil got me hooked on this stuff! Wil used the ultra-fine white for finishing work on mps;
said it will not alter the facing dimensions. He was right!
I use these pads for everything now; even cleaning stubborn pots and pans.
Just yesterday, I polished the chrome on my van with a white pad.
; )

MOUTHPIECES, LIGATURES & CAPS
There are a number of Mouthpieces, Ligatures and Caps. Most of these will be sold individually.
Mouthpieces: Metal Tenor Otto Links, Beechlers, Grizzle Clarinet mps and blanks, etc.
Ligatures: Otto Link, Beechler, Luyben, etc.
Caps: Caps galore! I haven't even sorted through this gigantic bin of them.

Please inquire if there's anything that interests you.

Assorted Ligatures I will be selling individually

MEMORABILIA
(Not for sale)

Letter from J.J. Babbitt in 1998 after Wil moved from Memphis to Lawrenceville.

Thank you for looking
Feel free to contact me with any questions:

Dave Bass
678-793-8606
dave@davebass.com