[Beginner] Restoring neck/mpc cork size.

ken · Mar 28, 2006

As I'm not playing and going through some maintenance, I've come across something I'd like to resolve, if possible.

Anyone know if there is a method/trick to swell the neck/mpc cork ?

My tutor has a habit of pushing the mpc further on the neck than suits me (I still get the right pitch) and now the cork has been compressed and is not quiet tight enough for my likeing.

Any ideas... Thanks.

Ken.

Pete Thomas · Mar 28, 2006

At 1:57:45 PM 28/03/06, Ken wrote:
As I'm not playing and going through some maintenance, I've come across something I'd like to resolve, if possible.

Anyone know if there is a method/trick to swell the neck/mpc cork ?

My tutor has a habit of pushing the mpc further on the neck than suits me (I still get the right pitch) and now the cork has been compressed and is not quiet tight enough for my likeing.

Any ideas... Thanks.

Ken.

A temporary fix is to heat the cork. You can use a gas flame (carefully and not to close) or steam from a kettle. It will compress again. If your tutor is using a his/her own mouthpiece (recommended) then yes it may need to be in a different position, or it may have a norrower boar.

ken · Mar 28, 2006

Thanks Pete,

Thinks I'll try the steam first.

Is re-corking a neck a diy job or best left to a pro?

Ken.

rebellion117 · Apr 13, 2006

I know that, at least over here in the US, they sell synthetic, self-adhesive diy cork replacement. I've never tried it, personally, though.

It's available from the Woodwind and Brasswind (http://www.wwbw.com).

Cory

ken · Apr 13, 2006

Thanks for the link Cory.

Cork is (I guess) hardly a consitent material, so perhaps synthetic would work just as well.

Ken.

spike · Apr 24, 2006

soakin' in hot water and cig papers are a temporary solution, but a new cork job should take a good sax doc less than ten minutes, which is why I've never ever done it myself, good tip is to take your regular mpc with and get a custom fit that way it "should" last longer, keepin' it greased from day one also helps.

griff136 · Apr 24, 2006

At 7:10:31 PM 13/04/06, Ken wrote:
Thanks for the link Cory.

Cork is (I guess) hardly a consitent material, so perhaps synthetic would work just as well.

Ken.

As a repairer I prefer using cork as it sands down easier than the synthetic stuff and tends to absorb some of the cork grease whereas the grease just sits on top of the synthetic stuff.

Its not a difficult job and with the right tools, adhesive and the right cork it doesnt take long to perfect.

Griff

www.dg-music.co.uk

ken · Apr 25, 2006

At 7:34:12 PM 24/04/06, spike wrote:..... but a new cork job should take a good sax doc less than ten minutes, which is why I've never ever done it myself

I'd also prefer it to be done by a sax tech., but unfortunately (in my area) they are in the yellow pages next to the poultry dentists.

I have some cork on the way... so possible disaster pending
:cry:

spike · Apr 25, 2006

yes I don't think I'd want a poultry dentist messin' around with my neck either . . .

. . . there's quite a lot of "how to do a cork job" pages in the 'net maybe someone can give you some good links.

griff136 · Apr 25, 2006

I have some cork on the way... so possible disaster pending
:cry:

I will send you some info on how to cork your neck.

Griff
www.dg-music.co.uk

ken · Apr 25, 2006

At 8:08:40 PM 25/04/06, griff136 wrote:

I will send you some info on how to cork your neck.

Thanks Griff... would be very handy.

Rogerb · Apr 27, 2006

QUOTE: ".....it may have a norrower boar. "

That would, I guess, be a real pog to play, Pete 😀

Bobby G · Apr 27, 2006

I did a marvellous cork job on my old Buescher alto once, thus;

1. Cork came away with mpc when mpc removed.

2. Scratched head, as I really wanted to play some more.

3. Aha! A roll of duct tape! Black, too, although I think the silver will do in a pinch.

4. Wind said tape exactly 5 1/2 times around neck (no, of the sax you fool) *note 6 1/2 times for Otto Link mpc.

5. Instal mouthpiece. Plats ok, doesn't it? Cork Shmork.

6. Take to local repairer for proper cork job.

griff136 · May 7, 2006

Hi Ken.

have you done your cork yet?

I couldnt come up with anything as good as this as far as instruction goes:

http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/HandyHints/Recorking_crooks.htm

theres some other good tips on there too inclusing making a spring hook etc

let us know how you get on.

ken · May 8, 2006

At 8:10:42 PM 07/05/06, griff136 wrote:
Hi Ken.

have you done your cork yet?

Griff, Still waiting for the cork and the rod spacers to come from the UK. When it all arrives I'll have a go and let you know the results.

Thanks for the link.

Ken.

griff136 · May 8, 2006

your'e welcome mate.

brucemacdonald · May 8, 2006

Ken, I did it and used the instructions from Stephen Howard's website. I did not get the contact adhesive quite right but I managed to get the cork on in the end. It really is not that difficult. I managed it and I had no experience of repairing saxophones.

Bruce

ken · May 8, 2006

Bruce, thanks for the encouragement, I'll give it a go once the parts turn up.

BTW: (just in case) where would you buy good quality cork?

Ken.

griff136 · May 9, 2006

At 00:14:52 AM 09/05/06, Ken wrote:
Bruce, thanks for the encouragement, I'll give it a go once the parts turn up.

BTW: (just in case) where would you buy good quality cork?

Ken.

I get mine from:

www.windcraft.co.uk

www.musicmedic.com

both have online sites that you can order from

Curt at musicmedic is a great guy and they despatch quickly.
windcraft sometimes out of stock.

If you get desperate I'll send you a sheet!