A stuffy when going from middle G to A

[pkreli]

Hi

When going from middle G to A, the neck octave pad just trembles and does not rise fully, hence A is difficult to produce and is very stuffy and low volume.

But if I play the middle A directly then the octave pad rises fully and A plays OK. But soon after keying the middle G, going back to A is troublesome.

Is it something I can adjust myself or do I have to take it to a tech ?

 

[griff136]

sounds like you probably need to take it to your repairer.

you could try to put some small drops of key oil (using a needle) on the octave mechanism where the seperate parts of the mechanism are held together usually with one rod/axle.

make sure that the springs are securely on thier latches including the G key and the octave arm spring and the one on the crook

check the flat sping on the crook is not catching/snagging in its saddle ( the lttle guide the spring sits in on the body of the sax. A drop of oil here isnt a bad idea either.

 

[Pete Thomas]

And he's not just saying that because he's a repairer.

It's easy to get in a complete mess with octave mechs unless it is as simple as a drop of oil. The springing has to be very carefully balanced.

The most I would do is disassemble, clean (with some lighter fluid) and reassemble with a light oiling - even then I wouldn't do it unless I was well rested and sober.

 

[Pjonah]

".....The most I would do is disassemble, clean (with some lighter fluid) and reassemble with a light oiling - even then I wouldn't do it unless I was well rested and sober."

That counts me out then.

 

[pkreli]

The instruction given here worked out for me :

http://www.banddirector.com/article/pg-band-instrument-repair/adjusting-the-saxophone-neck-octave-key?productguide=503

Only very slight adjustment was necessary.