Can anyone help

paulsax · Dec 3, 2006

I am having major problems with my Hanson alto, I can no longer play D#2 unless I play down into it and then only with great difficulty. I had this problem recently but cleaning the body octave tube overcame the difficulty but not this time. The problem is not specific to any mouthpiece reed combination and at present the sax is virtually unplayable, does anyone have any ideas. I know I can send it back to Hanson but simply ca'nt afford to at this time due to being jobless, I've even considered selling but would'nt feel comfortable doing so due to this problem.

Bobby G · Dec 3, 2006

Hi Paul. Until an expert like Griff comes along, have you checked that no pads are sticking or sealing badly? I occasionally have a probelem on my soprano where the octave pad on the crook fails to lift when it gets a bit sticky, which makes for some horrible-sounding notes. There are other threads devoted to curing stickipad, a lot of people seem to favour using a bit of lighter fluid on the pads (a wipe with a cloth with a drop or two on it should be enough) which works for me. Also a small amount of oil on the bearings can work wonders.

I hope you can get this fixed and that it's not expensive, it sounds as if you're getting a bit frustrated there. Good luck.

Cheers, Bob

chris_ · Dec 3, 2006

Have you checked your octave key vents? If the top vent is opening when you play G2, thats an issue.

griff136 · Dec 4, 2006

I would first check that the octave mech is working correctly - ie the vent on the crook opens when it should and the body vent is fully closed. and vice versa. The body vent should open when the G key is pressed and for any other note that has the G key down.

you should also check that there is a small gap between the crook octave arm ring and the linkage arm which protrudes up from the octave mechanism.

paulsax · Dec 4, 2006

Everything seems to be working correctly, both octave pads shut and open as they should, the tubes seem clear, nothing is sticking, I'm at a total loss. One thing which may help - when I can manage to play down into the note it is not clear, there seems to ba a vibration, not an accurate description but hard to define, and the it's almost as if 2 notes are trying to come out neither very clearly. Nothing else is affected only D2, all other notes are clear and in tune and easy to play, fortunatley I have my C mel so I'm not totally bereft. Thanks everyone.

lee_ · Dec 5, 2006

You need to get the horn looked at by a tech. It should be only an adjustment problem, unless something has come unsoldered. Maybe you can trade some work, sweeping or whatever, for the minor repair. Also, you might find a good "amateur" tech who might be able to help you. Sometimes school band directors are knowledgeable.

I saw one horn recently that appeared to have a leaking octave mechanism. Everything was working properly, but it was discovered that the little "pip" thingie wasn't adequately soldered on and was moving around a little, causing the leak.

paulsax · Dec 5, 2006

I think I'll just have to put it in a cupboard until I can afford to get it back to Hanson. My tech would probably check it for free, he owes me having had my c soprano for nearly 6 months, but this would probably invalidate the 5 yr service offered by Hanson. All in all patience is probably the best course of action.

THANKS EVERYONE

Bobby G · Dec 5, 2006

I'd say let your tech at least look at it - he may be able to see the problem, and if it is just an adjustment rather than a repair you should come out of it with a good horn, if he's careful. I'm sure you'd be kicking yourself it it did prove to be something quick and simple.

Otherwise it could be the cupboard for a while 🙁

Good luck with it.

Cheers, Bob

ken · Dec 5, 2006

Paul,

Have you asked Hanson for their opinion???

It is somewhat confusing, but you may be able to get it back to them (if needed) free or at the most for a charge of 14.50GBP.

According to their website:-

"If the instrument need to be returned for repair you can either send it to us via an appropriate method, or we can arrange collection for you using our couriers. If you would like us to collect we ask you to cover the cost which is presently ?14.50

Repairs are free. Parts are free. Labour is free. If your instrument has a genuine manufacture fault then we collect and deliver for free too. If your instrument has been damaged or has 'wear and tear' all we ask you to cover is collection and delivery."

Ken.

paulsax · Dec 6, 2006

Ken - yes I've spoken to Hanson previously when the problem first appeared but when it seemed to correct itself and I got back to them and agreed to send it back next year for it's service. I still intend to do this and in the meanwhile will just stick to my c melody, which is no real hardship.

Again thanks to everyone.

Rogerb · Dec 6, 2006

Just FWIW, I find that the hardest note to play 'cleanly' on my SA5, especially as the C below it is so clear.
It's always been a bit 'stuffy'.

paulsax · Dec 6, 2006

Interesting development - prior to putting my poor sax away I decided to try an old woodwind & company mouthpiece I picked up on ebay some time ago and guess what - no problem D2 clear and easy, so ok for now seemingly. It still doe'nt explain why my other pieces, which I had no previuos difficulty with, are currently unusable, still just thankful for small mercies.

Bobby G · Dec 6, 2006

Your mpc hasn't got a crack or a lump knocked out of it has it Paul? It seems unlikely, but you never know.

Cheers, Bob

ken · Dec 7, 2006

PaulSax wrote:
Interesting development -

Paul, I'm no expert, but it seems to say to me that it's possible to be more of a mpc/reed combination thing. Perhaps your other mpc has a different tip opening/lay/baffle and plays better with your choice of reed strength.

2c

[e] or dare I say... a duff reed (or batch)!!... dunno

Ken.

peter_fitton · Dec 7, 2006

I've only been playing sax for about 4 months and am a bit confused about this business of numbering notes. I see lots of references to D2, D3, G2, G3 etc in this forum.

I'd assumed that low D, say, would be D1 and then if you use the octave key it becomes D2, and if you played D with the palm key and octave key it would be D3.

However, this thread and one or two other things I've read seem to indicate otherwise. Is low D actually D2? Can somebody explain this numbering system to me? Sorry if I'm being a bit dim here :erm:

Had a problem on one of my saxes with low D playing an octave up. I could play it in the correct register when running down or up to it quite quickly, but on its own it was almost impossible to play it correctly. Then I removed the rather thick mouthpiece patch that was on the sax when I got it...and the problem completely disappeared. Hmmm....

Peter

ken · Dec 9, 2006

Peter,

I prompted in another thread for you to get answer... without much success 🙁 So perhaps you'll put up with me 😉

If I understand your question correctly, you have it about right except for one thing... start at "0" instead of "1". ie normal Low D (example)would be D0 not D1. D1 = + octave key. D2 = palm key.

If I'm wrong there be tons of responses to follow 8)

Ken.

paulsax · Dec 9, 2006

Thats very helpful as previously I have always started from 1, maybe explains why people have'nt understood what I meant, mind you people seldom do whatever I'm talking about.

ken · Dec 9, 2006

Nic, Paul,

A Windows progam I personally found very useful... Sax Tutor.

Mentioned in this thread:- Previous thread - Sax Tutor

Ken.

peter_fitton · Dec 9, 2006

Ken wrote:
Peter,

I prompted in another thread for you to get answer... without much success 🙁 So perhaps you'll put up with me 😉

If I understand your question correctly, you have it about right except for one thing... start at "0" instead of "1". ie normal Low D (example)would be D0 not D1. D1 = + octave key. D2 = palm key.

If I'm wrong there be tons of responses to follow 8)

Ken.

Ken, many thanks for your reply and for drawing atention to my query in the Beginners Section thread.

I've now downloaded that saxtutor program, which looks excellent and will be a great help generally.

Cheers

peter

maria · Dec 12, 2006

PaulSax wrote:
Interesting development - prior to putting my poor sax away I decided to try an old woodwind & company mouthpiece I picked up on ebay some time ago and guess what - no problem D2 clear and easy, so ok for now seemingly. It still doe'nt explain why my other pieces, which I had no previuos difficulty with, are currently unusable, still just thankful for small mercies.

Hi Paul,
This is Maria from Hanson. Have just seen your entry on the forum. We try and help all our customers and if you call Alastair or Chris in the work shop on 01484 841546 they will be more than happy to help you out, either talking it over on the phone or using our DHL account (at discounted rate) to have it checked over.