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CafeSaxophone Forum
Tech/maintenance Self service
I have been doing a lot of reading recently and one of the things I've read is Stephen Howards very informative web site. On another thread I've pointed out that I'm in the market for a pro model horn at the moment. This brought me to thinking about the condition of my present horn. I've owned it for about four and a half years and I know, from contacting Amati, that it was made in 1960. Now not knowing it's history, I had it serviced at Sax.co when I first got it, but I've played it hard since I've owned it, gigging most weekends and going to jams most weeks as well. Could this be a good time for a deep clean and service? Why not I thought.
So armed with a couple of screwdrivers, a packet of pipe cleaners, several cloths, a tub of good quality engine oil and several tooth picks, I booted up the lap top, logged on to Stephens website and started to strip the sax down to the tube. I had already decided that stripping them all off at once might not be such a good idea, but deal with them in clusters instead.
I was surprised at how dirty everything was. Its only when you get the rods and keys off the sax that you actually see all the grime! It was not very pretty, I can tell you. Old oil had oozed from the rods and dribbled down the posts gathering dust and grime over the years. (I always thought that giving it an occasional clean was sufficient) Finger prints had hardened in places that I though were impossible to touch, and the rods appeared to have been lubricated with a weak mud/tar solution!
As I said, I decided to remove the keys in groups so as to make putting it back together again a little easier. Whilst the keys were off, I took the opportunity to give the pads and the tone holes a quick wipe with a very mild solution of warm soapy water. I then removed the point screws, cleaned and replaced them, and then I gave the rod screws a good clean. Removing the old grime was easy. I then ran a pipe cleaner through the barrel (the shaft down the inside of the key) to clear out the grime from there too. Then, using a tooth pick, I dribbled a small amount of oil down the inside of the barrel, and gave the rod a quick smear as well. As I replaced them, I was very careful to wipe any excess oil off as I went. I then dabbed a small amount of oil on the point screws as well.
Well, it took me most of the day. (I'm sure that if you know what your doing it must be so much quicker) but at the end of it I had a great feeling of satisfaction. I had even cleaned the crook using the warm vinegar method mentioned by Stephen. Now that was disgusting! 😱
The best part was taking it back upstairs to my practice room (Ok then spare bed room ;}) and giving it a good blow! Did it make a difference? Could I feel the improvement? Damn right it did! I think the keys definitely feel a lot quicker, a little less resistant and without the stickiness that I was starting to notice. As for the sound? Well I think there is a noticeable improvement. I'm sure it sounds a little brighter, somewhat more resonant and slightly easier to play!
Is this all in my head? Could it be just my imagination? I mean after so much hard work it should have made a difference. Shouldn't it?
Try it for yourself! Go on, you know you want to!
:thankyou::thankyou:
So armed with a couple of screwdrivers, a packet of pipe cleaners, several cloths, a tub of good quality engine oil and several tooth picks, I booted up the lap top, logged on to Stephens website and started to strip the sax down to the tube. I had already decided that stripping them all off at once might not be such a good idea, but deal with them in clusters instead.
I was surprised at how dirty everything was. Its only when you get the rods and keys off the sax that you actually see all the grime! It was not very pretty, I can tell you. Old oil had oozed from the rods and dribbled down the posts gathering dust and grime over the years. (I always thought that giving it an occasional clean was sufficient) Finger prints had hardened in places that I though were impossible to touch, and the rods appeared to have been lubricated with a weak mud/tar solution!
As I said, I decided to remove the keys in groups so as to make putting it back together again a little easier. Whilst the keys were off, I took the opportunity to give the pads and the tone holes a quick wipe with a very mild solution of warm soapy water. I then removed the point screws, cleaned and replaced them, and then I gave the rod screws a good clean. Removing the old grime was easy. I then ran a pipe cleaner through the barrel (the shaft down the inside of the key) to clear out the grime from there too. Then, using a tooth pick, I dribbled a small amount of oil down the inside of the barrel, and gave the rod a quick smear as well. As I replaced them, I was very careful to wipe any excess oil off as I went. I then dabbed a small amount of oil on the point screws as well.
Well, it took me most of the day. (I'm sure that if you know what your doing it must be so much quicker) but at the end of it I had a great feeling of satisfaction. I had even cleaned the crook using the warm vinegar method mentioned by Stephen. Now that was disgusting! 😱
The best part was taking it back upstairs to my practice room (Ok then spare bed room ;}) and giving it a good blow! Did it make a difference? Could I feel the improvement? Damn right it did! I think the keys definitely feel a lot quicker, a little less resistant and without the stickiness that I was starting to notice. As for the sound? Well I think there is a noticeable improvement. I'm sure it sounds a little brighter, somewhat more resonant and slightly easier to play!
Is this all in my head? Could it be just my imagination? I mean after so much hard work it should have made a difference. Shouldn't it?
Try it for yourself! Go on, you know you want to!
:thankyou::thankyou:
7 Replies
·
3552 views
Saxophones Alto for warm tone
Me again!
I'm curious to know - what alto do you think produces the warmest, most mellow tone?
No particular reason for asking just pure curiosity........
I'm curious to know - what alto do you think produces the warmest, most mellow tone?
No particular reason for asking just pure curiosity........
36 Replies
·
544 views
I'm wondering if anyone's noticed a change in the consistency of Vandoren Java Red reeds recently? My last two boxes have been noticeably substandard, with the last box not having a single, decent reed in it. Resistance has increased noticeably and the sound is much less bright. I swapped in an old Red and it was great.
It feels like they've changed how they gauge the Reds, or changed the design slightly. Is it just me or has anyone had this recently?
It feels like they've changed how they gauge the Reds, or changed the design slightly. Is it just me or has anyone had this recently?
17 Replies
·
341 views
Saxophones Trying to date my Amati Kraslice Tenor
Hi everyone!
A coworker's grandma passed away and her family passed her Amati Kraslice Tenor on to me.
It looks quite old (for example: the whole thing is silber, but the inside of the bell is gold), but me and my friends didn't have any luck finding something with the serial number.
The serial number is: 43826
I've added some photos, maybe this will help 🙂
Thanks already!!
A coworker's grandma passed away and her family passed her Amati Kraslice Tenor on to me.
It looks quite old (for example: the whole thing is silber, but the inside of the bell is gold), but me and my friends didn't have any luck finding something with the serial number.
The serial number is: 43826
I've added some photos, maybe this will help 🙂
Thanks already!!
17 Replies
·
9957 views
I found this ancient Otto Langey Saxophone Fingering Chart, circa 1890, inside the case of a 1921 C Melody sax. The condition is poor, but it's still a cool find. I gather it's a fingering chart for those transitioning from the "older" 12-key saxophone to the "newer" 15-key layout. I don't see a date on this anywhere, so the 1890 guess came from the PC.
14 Replies
·
292 views
Tech/maintenance Super glued pads - a cry for help
Hello, folks. Many of you may know me from that other site.
A while back, I bought a nice, shiny purple logo Yts-32 from a guy in Japan. It arrived unplayable due to leaks. No prob, I think. I'll fix 'er right up. Wrong again.
The pads are glued in with ca glue. Lots of it, filling the cups. It is very hard and thick. I have scraped out a couple of pad cups. It was a long, tedious drudge. Acetone barely softens the surface.
Is there a better way?
A while back, I bought a nice, shiny purple logo Yts-32 from a guy in Japan. It arrived unplayable due to leaks. No prob, I think. I'll fix 'er right up. Wrong again.
The pads are glued in with ca glue. Lots of it, filling the cups. It is very hard and thick. I have scraped out a couple of pad cups. It was a long, tedious drudge. Acetone barely softens the surface.
Is there a better way?
35 Replies
·
490 views
Miscellaneous Photography - all aspects
Following various recent posts, I thought I would create a thread specifically for photography. Somewhere to talk about equipment, experiences, processing...
To start off, I was a Nikon user for over 40 years, but had to 'down size' as handling full-frame cameras and lenses was getting to be too much like hard work and giving me shoulder issues. My current digital camera is a mirrorless Fuji X-T5.
For film cameras, I have a Pentax MX, Mamiya RB67, and a Sinar F2.
To start off, I was a Nikon user for over 40 years, but had to 'down size' as handling full-frame cameras and lenses was getting to be too much like hard work and giving me shoulder issues. My current digital camera is a mirrorless Fuji X-T5.
For film cameras, I have a Pentax MX, Mamiya RB67, and a Sinar F2.
426 Replies
·
16495 views
Saxophones The Alphabet of Tone
The Alphabet of Tone
words often encountered when one discusses or expresses an instruments tone....
Bright
Warm
Rich
Dark
Lush
Centered / Focused
Spread
what else have YOU heard?
words often encountered when one discusses or expresses an instruments tone....
Bright
Warm
Rich
Dark
Lush
Centered / Focused
Spread
what else have YOU heard?
4 Replies
·
79 views
Cafe Moderator
Café Supporter
Miscellaneous Daily Check In
Good morning,
We thought it might be good to have a thread where you can just come and say hi, tell us what you are doing today, have a moan, share an idea that you wouldn't necessarily start a thread for ( we can always create a new thread from posts here if it became a substantial discussion).
It doesn't have to be sax related🙂
Basically an easy way to connect on a daily basis.
So to kick us off, I am writing this whilst prepping a casserole for the slo cooker as I am playing sax today with café sax and need a quick easy tea when I get home.
I am still suffering with a cough which will impact my playing today and I am worried as we are playing our first care home gig next Sunday!!
Have a lovely Sunday
Jx
We thought it might be good to have a thread where you can just come and say hi, tell us what you are doing today, have a moan, share an idea that you wouldn't necessarily start a thread for ( we can always create a new thread from posts here if it became a substantial discussion).
It doesn't have to be sax related🙂
Basically an easy way to connect on a daily basis.
So to kick us off, I am writing this whilst prepping a casserole for the slo cooker as I am playing sax today with café sax and need a quick easy tea when I get home.
I am still suffering with a cough which will impact my playing today and I am worried as we are playing our first care home gig next Sunday!!
Have a lovely Sunday
Jx
2987 Replies
·
96175 views
Cafe Moderator
Cafe Announcements 📣 Testing new feature: Social Feed
As some of you have noticed we are testing a new forum feature that may or may not be made permanent. It is still under development so any critique, bug reports are welcome.
This is a different way of viewing recent posts, in a social media type view. This is never going to replace the existing traditional forum / subforum and new posts view, rather it's an alternative if you like that kind of view. So we don't need need an opinion on the feature itself. In fact I don't really like it myself. The reason is to make the forum more familiar and hopefully less perplexing for new users who may be used to this type of view but not the traditional forum format.
Currently the access to Social Feed is a sub menu item of New (along with the various different New views). You can also switch back and forth between the SF view and trad view via a link at the top of each thread. Social Feeds shows the latest started or replied to threads showing the first post and latest two or three replies. The Load More Replies link opens up each thread to show all replies (but we may reduce that to 10 or so at a time)
If you reply to a post in SF format it will show as "nested" but when viewing the same post in traditional view it will have the post it is replying to as a quote. (or rather, it should do with any luck)
Please supply any comments in this thread, so not interrupt normal threads with comments about the Social Feeds system.
Again: this is totally optional and will not replace any current view so we won't be taking a poll on whether you like/want it or not.
What will be most useful is if those of you who are used to this kind of feed with social media can comment in this thread which may be sticky for a while
This is a different way of viewing recent posts, in a social media type view. This is never going to replace the existing traditional forum / subforum and new posts view, rather it's an alternative if you like that kind of view. So we don't need need an opinion on the feature itself. In fact I don't really like it myself. The reason is to make the forum more familiar and hopefully less perplexing for new users who may be used to this type of view but not the traditional forum format.
Currently the access to Social Feed is a sub menu item of New (along with the various different New views). You can also switch back and forth between the SF view and trad view via a link at the top of each thread. Social Feeds shows the latest started or replied to threads showing the first post and latest two or three replies. The Load More Replies link opens up each thread to show all replies (but we may reduce that to 10 or so at a time)
If you reply to a post in SF format it will show as "nested" but when viewing the same post in traditional view it will have the post it is replying to as a quote. (or rather, it should do with any luck)
Please supply any comments in this thread, so not interrupt normal threads with comments about the Social Feeds system.
Again: this is totally optional and will not replace any current view so we won't be taking a poll on whether you like/want it or not.
What will be most useful is if those of you who are used to this kind of feed with social media can comment in this thread which may be sticky for a while
Do you use the social feed?
10 votes total
31 Replies
·
2107 views
Saxophones Franken-sax?
My primary instrument is Tuba. Among tuba players there are quite a few who build what are called Franken-Tuba's. Basically we find old junk, sometimes buy new components, and build homemade conglomerations.
Is this a thing in the saxophone community?
Is this a thing in the saxophone community?
14 Replies
·
284 views
Saxophones Pork Tales: Saxophone Repair DIY Adventures.
Tales from a pig that likes to stick his nose into everything.
Paint that S. How difficult could it be ?
1) Search the net.
2) Find the color.
3) Order color.
4) Study task on University of YouTube, aka; For destruction by DYI presented by pro tech.
Do the cleaning & prep.
Paint and cleanup / detail the edges with hard cotton swabs. Sounds easy……
Yeah tha guy Matt makes it look easy.
Anyone remember your first experience cooking bacon crispy while still in the frying pan !
Paint that S. How difficult could it be ?
1) Search the net.
2) Find the color.
3) Order color.
4) Study task on University of YouTube, aka; For destruction by DYI presented by pro tech.
Do the cleaning & prep.
Paint and cleanup / detail the edges with hard cotton swabs. Sounds easy……
Yeah tha guy Matt makes it look easy.
Anyone remember your first experience cooking bacon crispy while still in the frying pan !
1248 Replies
·
73811 views
Recipes What's Cookin'?
This is the one for pictures of food. Time for Superbowl chili!
I make it every year for the game, whether I watch it or not. In a pot I actually won... at a chili contest.
Now how 'bout a bowl of red:
I make it every year for the game, whether I watch it or not. In a pot I actually won... at a chili contest.
Now how 'bout a bowl of red:
169 Replies
·
9548 views
Great Players Who sparked your love of Sax music
As an aside to Bobby's "first album' thread... I am curious to know which golden moment made you think "Now there's an instrument I fancy having a go at"
For me it was Tex Beneke. My parents used to play a lot of Glenn Miller when I was growing up. It was the only music I knew as a kid: big band stuff. Then I became a teenager and discovered Dick Parry's voice on Dark Side of the Moon, and thought "ok, this might be fun" After Dick it was Didier Malherbe from Gong and then my mate played me Charlie Parker and I was fully hooked!
For me it was Tex Beneke. My parents used to play a lot of Glenn Miller when I was growing up. It was the only music I knew as a kid: big band stuff. Then I became a teenager and discovered Dick Parry's voice on Dark Side of the Moon, and thought "ok, this might be fun" After Dick it was Didier Malherbe from Gong and then my mate played me Charlie Parker and I was fully hooked!
625 Replies
·
114709 views
Saxophones Galasso
Olá, meu nome é Rodrigo. Eu toco saxofone tenor. Tenho um saxofone tenor Galasso — é um modelo antigo, mas muito bom. Podemos conversar sobre o saxofone?
39 Replies
·
945 views
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