Saxophone Maintenance Tips
Paul R. Coats
1. Examine all pads for splits
and seating, including octave key pads. Replace as necessary.
2. Check operation of the octave
key. Finger G and operate the octave key. The pad on the neck vent
should remain closed, the pad on the body vent should open and close.
Finger A and operate the octave key. The pad on the neck vent should
open and close, the pad on the body vent should remain closed. Lubricate
if needed. If it still does not work correctly, consult a repairman.
3. Finger middle finger C. Check
that the little pad just above the first finger of the left hand
closes. On Yamaha saxes adjust the left stack screw. On other makes
a repairman must shim with cork or felt.
4. Finger 1-4 and 1-5 Bb. Check
for proper adjustment by depressing the Bis Key. Adjust at the setscrew
just above the F pad.
5. Finger D and work the G# key.
The G# pad should remain closed and the tone should not change.
If the G# pad opens even slightly it will prevent low C#, B, and
Bb from speaking and prevent proper use of articulated G# fingerings.
Adjust the G# setscrew.
6. For advanced players: Check
intonation of low Eb, D, C#, C, and B. Adjust the felt bumpers.
Use a good tuner for this!
7. If all else is O.K., doping
the pads helps even on new pads! Old stiff pads are sometimes softened
with pad dopes. Use the Lavoz "Pad Saver" swab. These two steps
will greatly extend pad life, more than paying for the cost of the
pad dope and swab.
8. Lube the neck cork with cork
grease, Chap Stick, or Vaseline. I use Singer Sewing Machine Oil
on keys. Oiling the keys twice a year is adequate.
9. Wipe the sax several times
a week with a damp cloth and buff dry. Wax with Pledge several times
a year, or spray with Runyon Lacquer Life. Silver colored keys on
student line saxes are nickel plated and need no special care, just
wipe clean.
10. Never leave the reed and
ligature on the mouthpiece when the instrument is stored. Wash the
mouthpiece daily with lukewarm (never hot) water. At the very least,
wipe dry with a tissue or cloth after playing. Use a brush if necessary--a
Gerber baby bottle nipple brush works well. Soaking the mouthpiece
overnight in vinegar will remove saliva stains. Keep a minimum of
4--8 reeds at all times. Keep reeds in a good reed holder such as
Vito or Lavoz Reedguard VI. Never store your reeds in the plastic
"Novapack" containers that reeds come packaged in. Never play the
same reed two days in a row. Play reeds on a rotation schedule and
they will last much longer. Wrap the mouthpiece and neck in soft
cloths (old gym socks work well) or commercial neck and mouthpiece
bags. Do not allow them to rattle around loose in the accessory
compartment of the case. Mouthpieces are often damaged beyond repair
this way.
11. When transporting your instrument
on the bus (or shipping) place bubble wrap in the case around the
sax and accessories. Do not use a "Gig Bag" unless you are willing
to hand carry your instrument at all times and hold it in your lap
for trips. Compact "Flight Cases" are available that have minimum
size and the strength necessary to protect your instrument. I can
recommend the SKB Contoured Pro Sax Cases (my personal choice),
the Winter Flight Cases, Pro Pac Contoured Cases by Pro Tec, and
the Selmer Walt Johnson Gig Cases (used by the Air Force's Airmen
of Note). These are all truly "roadworthy".
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