Tech/maintenance can clear nail polish fix a slightly loose neck tenon?

[AlonW]

Will it work to prevent leaks?

 

[Colin the Bear]

No.

It needs to go to the tech to have it fitted/resized. It's not a massive job for a tech but is beyond most home repairers

Don't be tempted to lean on the neck screw. If you look closely, only the upper section clamps, just to resist rotation. The lower section should be snug and airtight. Clamping too tight can distort the socket and make things worse.

 

[Pete Thomas]

It might just work as a one-off (temporary bodge) but so might anything that can fill up any gaps or leaks to get you through a gig or practice session. Take it to your friendly local tech.

 

[PigSquealer]

No.

 

[MarkSax]

No, plumber’s tape might be a temporary solution but it needs a tech.

 

[thomsax]

Ny brand new King Super 20 (KMI) was suffering from this. The "SML" neck didn't fit. I gave up and bought a "The Martin Magna Tenor" -59. I used plumber tape, sent the sax to Stockholm for warranty repair (twice) ..... .

 

[mark_addy]

No, plumber’s tape might be a temporary solution but it needs a tech.

I was going to suggest 'Stag' until I saw how much it now is. Ouch!

(this is a joke, in case anyone is thinking about clagging up their instrument permanently. Or unless you want your crook tenon to be OK for high pressure steam 🙂 )

 

[AlonW]

it made a big mess . Flakes everywhere

 

[JayeNM]

Ny brand new King Super 20 (KMI) was suffering from this. The "SML" neck didn't fit. I gave up and bought a "The Martin Magna Tenor" -59. I used plumber tape, sent the sax to Stockholm for warranty repair (twice) ..... .

You purchased a brand new S20?

When ?

And it came with an SML neck ?

And there was a tech in Stockolm which did warranty repair on Kings ?

And you just gave up on the new S20 because a tech couldn't make the neck fit right ?

So many questions..... 😵

 

[JayeNM]

it made a big mess . Flakes everywhere

Right, people said it wouldn't work.

Go to a tech.

 

[AlonW]

Right, people said it wouldn't work.

Go to a tech.

I talked to him, he said I didn’t have to do anything. The neck fits okay and I’m overreacting. All I did was a small quick swipe with 1200 grit sandpaper, not very abrasive. According to this article this is a legitimate way to shrink a neck that’s not fitting well.

https://www.kbsax.com/my-neck-fits-too-tight/

On the positive side, I no longer have problems with it getting stuck.

 

[skeller047]

I know Kim Bock is a famous neck maker/repairman, but I disagree that sandpaper is a valid way to shrink a neck tenon, even slightly. 0000 steel wool to clean and polish, sure, but 220 or 400 grit sandpaper will leave small scratches which make it easier for gunk to get lodged and corrosion to form. I know he says to polish with higher grades, but unless you are used to doing this kind of work, you run a big risk.

The way to check if the neck fits properly is to see if the receiver will hold the neck in place with just a small turn of the screw. If you put the neck in, and lightly tighten the screw, it should be very difficult or even impossible to rotate the neck. If you have to crank on the screw to hold it in place, or if you can’t even get it tight enough, it’s too loose.

Most techs will fit the tenon properly for a very small fee. If your tech says it’s OK, but you can’t tighten it down easily, maybe find a different tech.

 

[thomsax]

You purchased a brand new S20?

When ?

And it came with an SML neck ?

And there was a tech in Stockolm which did warranty repair on Kings ?

And you just gave up on the new S20 because a tech couldn't make the neck fit right ?

So many questions..... 😵

I bought a new King Super 20 tenor in February 1983. KMI model 2416K with serial nr 871XXX. I masked the name of shop at Drottninggatan in Stockholm and the name of the guy who was in charge for the wind dept. I bought a Berg Larsen ss (straight bill/beak, M) 115/0 as well a few days later. 450.00 s e k!

When I write "SML" neck I mean a neck in the same style as SML. A friend played a SML Goldmedal II (no rolled toneholes). A SML neck and King neck (no underslung octave pipe/key) were IMO ver,very close. My S20 didn't came with a SML neck. Both neck tenon were too small on a S20 body/neck joint. A SML and mu King Super could swap necks without problem.

I gave up the S20 because I was disapponted and I was glad I found a "The Martin Magna Tenor" when the S20 was in Stockholm to have the neck cured. To be honest I didn't miss the S20 that much. I sold the S20 with a neck which didn't fit well. I was clear about that to the guy who bought it. He could live with plumber tape and to buy an almost new King Super 20 tenor for 7000.00 s e k. I bought it for 8500.00 s e k some months ealier. For ten years ago a saxplayer called me an asked me if I could take a look at his Super 20. It was suffering from a "loose neck". I was worse than the one I owned. I looked at the serial number as well and it was also a 871 XXX sax !!!! I told him to send the neck to tech for a new tenon in the right dimension. Or just to play with plumber tape! He also became a plumber tape player. Plumber tape was ok but when I wanted to adjust the neck the tape lost the function.

A 1983 KMI Super 20 was maybe just when KMI was taken over by Conn's owner? I goot some good information, March 1985, from KMI just around when UMI was formed and had started to talk to Kings owner to buy the company.

I found all the things I got when I bought my S20. I had to dig real deep!

 

[JayeNM]

interesting, so one of the very last. The s20 was discontinued by UMI, so yes it was when King, Conn, Armstrong etc were owned by Dan Henkin....

Strange that even then they would let something out of Eastlake factory with a neck that loose...

 

[JayeNM]

I talked to him, he said I didn’t have to do anything. The neck fits okay and I’m overreacting. All I did was a small quick swipe with 1200 grit sandpaper, not very abrasive. According to this article this is a legitimate way to shrink a neck that’s not fitting well.

https://www.kbsax.com/my-neck-fits-too-tight/

On the positive side, I no longer have problems with it getting stuck.

So the problem was actually the opposite of what you had implied, then.

What made you think a tight neck tenon was leaking ?

Leaking may happen when tenon is a tad loose. Thus the replies to you here were assuming that was the issue.

Why would you wanna apply nail polish to a tight neck fitting tenon ? Unless it is tight because tenon is out of round, a tight neck fit wouldn't leak.

Yes, swiping with sandpaper, uniformly...can actually make a tight fitting tenon become more agreeable. 1200grit is very fine tho, am surprised it alone did anything...but glad it did something.