- The Saxophone is dismantled
- Pads, and keys are cleaned
- The crook and body are washed through with our Saxophone cleaning bath
- Tone-holes are checked for imperfections
- The solder joints on the guards, and crook receiver are checked for damage
- Pillars are checked to ensure that they are securely attached to the body
How much does it cost to repair a saxophone?
It usually costs $15-$25 to get it done, and usually while you wait, about 20 minutes or so, most of which is watching contact cement dry.
How to tune a saxophone properly?
- Straight baffles are known for their steady sound. ...
- Roll-over baffles, which are popular with jazz players, add a bit of a bang with growl effects and a suggestion of brightness at the beginning of a note, while still ...
- Step baffles may be the easiest barrel to work with. ...
How to sound more professional on saxophone?
The Best Professional Alto Saxophones | Our Top Ten Picks
- JazzFuel Top Pick. Any saxophone on this list would be a great choice for a professional saxophonist looking to up their game, but we’ve chosen the Yamaha YAS 62 as ...
- Yanagisawa AWO20U. ...
- Selmer Paris Reference 54. ...
- Yamaha YAS 62. ...
- Yamaha YAS-875. ...
- Yamaha YAS 82Z. ...
- Eastman 52nd street. ...
- Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz. ...
- Selmer Paris series III. ...
- Yanagisawa AWO37. ...
How to know if a saxophone reed is too hard?
There are ways of predicting which reeds will play best.
- Discoloration of the grain
- One side is thicker or thinner than the other (look at the blunt end, not the tip)
- Fluctuating widths of grain
- Rougher than normal grain on the cut side of the reed
How much does it cost to repair a sax?
Saxophone RepairSAXOPHONESAverage for Playing Condition*RepadStudent B Flat Soprano$80.00$490.00E Flat Alto$80.00$490.00B Flat Tenor/ C Melody$90.00$500.00E Flat Baritone**$125.00$630.00
Why is my saxophone not playing?
If notes won't play (or require a lot of air to play) it's almost always due to an air leak. The leather pads located under the keys are supposed to seal the air from the tone holes, but if the pad doesn't seal well the saxophonist will find themselves blowing harder or squeezing the key until it seals.
How do you fix a leak in a saxophone?
2:026:23Saxophone (Questionable) Repair Topic: Quik 'N Easy Leak DetectorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA surgical glove. And it needs to be latex or nitrile a you know glove that you use for washingMoreA surgical glove. And it needs to be latex or nitrile a you know glove that you use for washing dishes is not going to work stretch it over the Bell stretch. Like the wrists opening. Over the Bell.
What can I do with an old saxophone?
Sell it. Take the sax to the most reputable repair shop near you and have them appraise it. This is a fast and simple way to learn what the sax is worth. They may have consignment options or offer to buy it from you directly.
How long does a saxophone last?
But, you should keep this point in mind: these saxophones are most likely disposable, meaning they'll probably only last 2-5 years.
How long does it take to repair a saxophone?
It usually takes around between 30 to 40 hours to do a total refurb this includes total stripdown getting the silver plate finish up to scratch, re-padding & re-corking the whole works including some spring replacement ... it's hards work & can be done ....
How do you tell if you have a leak in your saxophone?
Leaks. A leak happens when something on the saxophone such as pad closing is not an airtight seal. The symptoms are squeaking or notes not sounding properly and generally a feeling of resistance. A good indication of a leaking saxophone is when you suddenly find you can no longer play a low note pianissimo.
How do you check for saxophone leaks?
4:339:31Saxophone Leaks... they're the WORST - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFrom there what you'll do is just use light pressure to press down the keys as you normally wouldMoreFrom there what you'll do is just use light pressure to press down the keys as you normally would looking carefully to see if you notice any light escaping from the edges of the tone hole.
How do I know if my saxophone needs new pads?
3:269:19Saxophone Repair Topic: New vs. Used Pads - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut the pad seat has worn into impressions where that like dirt and junk used to be and it's noMoreBut the pad seat has worn into impressions where that like dirt and junk used to be and it's no longer there you're gonna have pinhole leaks.
Are old saxophones worth anything?
Gold-plated examples dating from the '40s are worth $1,000, silver-plated ones about $800, and brass ones around $650, says Dr. Rick and Terry Dean, who buy, sell and appraise old saxophones, flutes, clarinets and related odd or unusual instruments. Those dating from the '50s would be worth less, they say.
Should you leave saxophone stand?
There is nothing wrong with leaving it on the stand while you're not practicing as long as the mouthpiece is off of the neck and the reed is dry and off of the mouthpiece, and you have a clean pad saver in the horn. Note that this is only when you're at home.
Do saxophones need to be serviced?
Daily saxophone maintenance is the most effective way to prevent mechanical problems from occurring quickly and frequently. There are some small problems you can fix yourself, but there are some issues that require a professional woodwind repairman. This can be expensive.
Why is my alto sax out of tune?
1:012:24Is your saxophone in tune? Why does my sax sound dull ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf it sounds like a little bit dull that's flat. So your instrument a bit too big too low. So youMoreIf it sounds like a little bit dull that's flat. So your instrument a bit too big too low. So you want to make it smaller think of the food you want to go smaller.
How do you make a sound come out of a saxophone?
1:213:13Making Your First Saxophone Sounds - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver your bottom teeth just a little just a little and. Now we're gonna make a big loud honkingMoreOver your bottom teeth just a little just a little and. Now we're gonna make a big loud honking sound on low D one two three on each hand one two three you.
Why does my saxophone sound airy?
If the reed size is too big and the reed is too hard, it can make the sound appear to be “more air” and “less music”. Do you have some size 1.5 or maybe size 2 reeds ? Similar to 1 above, the mouthpiece itself can have the same effect. A large bore mouthpiece can also produce an airy or breathy sound.
Why won't my alto saxophone play low notes?
First off, your sax needs to be in good working order. This means that all the pads need to be sealing well. If they're not, you need to visit a repair technician and have your horn looked at. So assuming that your instrument is in good shape, the key to getting low notes out is all about how you use your air.
What to do if your saxophone has a dent?
If your saxophone has a dent, take it to a repair technician right away. Because this is a repair that must be done very carefully, make sure that the musical instrument repair technician has prior experience repairing saxophones. These repairs may not be uncommon, but not every technician is qualified to handle them.
What are the problems with a saxophone?
Fortunately, problems with saxophones typically fall into one of the below categories: broken or missing neck cork, air leaks, stuck keys, and dents. Generally, these problems are easily addressed by a qualified repair technician.
Why won't my saxophone play?
Air Leaks. If notes won’t play (or require a lot of air to play) it’s almost always due to an air leak. The leather pads located under the keys are supposed to seal the air from the tone holes, but if the pad doesn’t seal well the saxophonist will find themselves blowing harder or squeezing the key until it seals.
Why do my saxophone keys stick?
Another very common saxophone problem is stuck keys. Keys sometimes stick because of frozen pivot screws or rods, but in most cases they’ve just been bent out of position during play, transport, or storage. During the repair, the technician will bend them back into position and align them so they can move freely.
Can a saxophone be repaired?
Common Repairs for the Saxophone. Not only can saxophone repairs be costly, but some issues can take some time to fix–cutting away from valuable practice time that’s crucial to your progress and success. As with any instrument, it’s important to be aware of some common issues you might experience, and have a proper understanding ...
Can you replace a stiff saxophone pad?
Unfortunately, when one pad has deteriorated, the others are close behind, so replacing one stiff pad won’t fix the problem for long. For this reason, replacing all the pads is recommended. It’s never a welcome expense, but you’ll be surprised by how well the saxophone plays with new pads.
DIY Saxophone Repairs ?
If you’ve ever wanted to try repairing your own saxophone, here are 4 common, quick and easy DIY saxophone repairs you can do yourself.
Disclaimer
I’m not showing you all of these repairs so you can stop going to your repair technician. When you can, it’s always better to let the professional handle your instrument.
Fitting the Neck Cork
If you have a neck cork that is too tight for your mouthpiece, with two little pieces of sandpaper and a little bit of cork grease you can fix this in a matter of minutes.
Fitting the Neck Tenon
When I got this saxophone, I noticed that the neck tenon did not have a very good fit. But after a few quick adjustments I was able to make this problem go away.
Reattaching a Fallen Key Pearl
Another quick and easy DIY saxophone repair is reattaching a fallen key pearl. This usually happens when you’re dealing with a cheaply made saxophone, such as this one.
Replacing a Key Cork
Again, this often happens with these lesser expensive saxophones. To start, you’ll need a screwdriver to help you get the key you’re working with off of your saxophone (It’s not as scary as it sounds, I promise).
Tools & Materials
The tools I used for these repairs are all very affordable and easy to find. You might even have many of these materials at your house already.
How to use a razor for a pipe?
You’ll use the end of the pipe as the guide for your razor. Viewing the neck from the end of the tube, use the razor to mark the overlap where the two ends will join. Now tip the neck so that you can see the other end of the joint and make a similar mark.
How to remove glue from a neck?
Once the neck has cooled, remove any remaining traces of adhesive and cork with an adhesive remover.
Can you reglue a saxophone neck?
Even if you generally shouldn’t reglue things, neck corks can be quite a bit expensive, and a saxophone neck takes more cork than clarinet joints. So if every other bit of the cork is okay, except where it’s broken or come undone due to insufficient glue, for instance, I can see how you might want to save it.
Re: How can one learn to repair and restore saxes?
Get the repair manuals that are out there. Years ago a company (now gone) Eric brand had a good but date general manual. get others as well. A library of about a dozen is a start. Vids are good to. And buy the right tools. I use to buy and fix up clarinets as a hobby. Not hard but not in the same class as Saxes. Try that first too.
Re: How can one learn to repair and restore saxes?
Speaking as an untrained veteran of DIY maintenance and light repair projects and an occasional repair customer...... With a little basic knowledge, the right attitude (patience!), and a few inexpensive tools, it's not difficult to do a better job than most garden variety music store techs on routine maintenance and adjustment tasks.
Re: How can one learn to repair and restore saxes?
I would like to start a new hobby too!! Where could I learn brain surgery. Is there a kit I can get?? I don't want to spend too much time with it. I want to keep it simple......Kelsey
Re: How can one learn to repair and restore saxes?
My bad, I thought a saxaphone forum dedicated to saxaphone repair would have people who know how to repair saxes and could offer decent advice, not just a bunch of crotchety douchebags.
Re: How can one learn to repair and restore saxes?
silly you and i take offence to "chotchety douchebag" .... im a young douchebag.
Re: How can one learn to repair and restore saxes?
Someone who calls itself Kittenslayer called me a name??? I love all animals and I have ho sense of humor when it comes to joking around about hurting little kittens. Repairing a vintage horn requires special knowledge and talents that I feel is better left to regular instrument repair folks.