Tech/maintenance Renovation

[djarossens]

I decided I didn't want to use a patch as I wanted the surface to the flush so I chose to use brass rod and silver solder this through and then file, sand and polish it back flat. first image is a test piece to check my idea and technique!

 

[djarossens]

final result - I tried to keep as mush lacquer as possible, maybe one day I'll change my mind and strip the whole instrument. Amazing there was any left really!

 

[djarossens]

My baritone S80 mouthpiece fitted my Weltklang easily. It also fits my current baritone, as did a Yamaha C5.

My tenor Soloist mouthpiece won't fit the baritone cork, even slightly. The mouthpiece is too small.

The baritone S80 is very loose on the tenor neck.

A Yam C5 is relatively inexpensive and plays quite well on a Weltklang baritone.

So you got me thinking...
I used 1.6mm cork on my first attempt and assumed it was enough - just about for a tenor mouthpiece, maybe but still loose.
I decided to search around any measure up all I could get me hands on and the attached file shows the results: it is way small - right down in the alto range and even then has a tiny opening.
I will certainly try and recork it with some super thick material (I think I have some 2.4 which seems to be in the right range) as I agree from play testing that it needs the length of a bari mouthpiece to get the tuning right.

Thanks to all who have followed this project and helped along the way with comments!

 

[djarossens]

So rolling forward a year - I was able to strip it with paint stripper and acetone for the gold metallic paint. Silver soldered some brass rod into the holes, filed it back flat, re soldered on the posts, replaced the main hinge rod on the lower stack which was bent beyond repair (after I cut it in two to get it off the instrument, dents knocked out, hole holes relevelled, new pads, lots of pad fitting and regulation and it has been playing happily for the last 6 months. I haven't had to have another go at any of the pads but did have to work a lot on the low keys (it has a thumb key below the octave and a secondary key for the left little finger below b flat.
Thank s for all the hints, tips and encouragement along the way. Onto the next project! Any ideas? anyone got an old bass sax in desperate need of restoring?

 

[JayeNM]

Those are absolute BEASTS of a Low A horn. To bring it back to top form = act of sax love.

I have always felt strongly that Weltklang's best sax efforts were their Sopranos and Baritones. They just got those right.

I tip my hat to you....

 

[Grumpikins]

Sounds like it may not be worth spending time and effort on it. The paint is easy, aircraft paint remover, that's what they use on planes, will do the trick and it is really easy and fast but the fumes are nasty. If you have a DIY car wash nearby, I'd soak everything in the paint stripper (apply with a brush) and then power-hose it down (those places are outside so you don't have to worry too much about the fumes). I'd use a big plastic tub to transport it or maybe even a heavy duty contractor's garbage bag but those are usually black and it'll be a lot easier if you have something clear.

The holes, beats me why anyone would do something like that but you can patch them.

Somebody painted it up and mounted it to a wall or a signpost for decoration, turned into a lamp. I see stuff like that a lot in antique shops. Its extremely frustrating to see repairable instruments treated this way.

 

[LostCircuits]

Somebody painted it up and mounted it to a wall or a signpost for decoration, turned into a lamp. I see stuff like that a lot in antique shops. Its extremely frustrating to see repairable instruments treated this way.

That's how I got my main tenor. took a bit of work to restore it but for once, it was done the right way!