Saxophones Do you have a backup sax - how often do you play it?

[dexdex]

Could it be that backup is an outdated concept ?
We have a NAS in our home network. 2 hard drives, setup to work in RAID. Redundant Array of Independent Drives.
I consider my horns to be a RAIH.
Voilà.

 

[cappers]

Your tenors called me to say that they have misgivings about the alto in your household. Something about commitment issues and trust.

The alto was so upset at being ignored all this time she refused to play nice; wailed and screeched at me! So I've dropped her off for a proper pampering. Strip down, wash, clean and polish, new pads where needed etc, oil and adjust.

The alto is my first love, the tenors accept that. They don't mind me flirting with the alto as long as I keep playing them and taking them out to gigs 😉

 

[Zasterz]

On the other hand the guy who has two altos a Selmer mark 6 and a King Super 20, probably gets rather different things from each, and I wouldn't call that "backup".

I have a 6m and a VI. Sure the VI is a “backup,” even though they’re pretty different, obviously. If my 6m springs an issue, I won’t have to scrounge around for another horn for that week’s gig or rehearsal. I won’t have to fit a trip to the shop into my schedule. Just cause it’s a super-nice and different horn, doesn’t mean it can’t do all the possible backup jobs.

 

[mizmar]

Could it be that backup is an outdated concept ?
We have a NAS in our home network. 2 hard drives, setup to work in RAID. Redundant Array of Independent Drives.
I consider my horns to be a RAIH.
Voilà.

So, your claim is that Rahsaan Roland Kirk played several horns at once, just to guarantee an uninterrupted solo should one fail?

 

[Ivan]

however as we all know (maybe) it's not good practice to leave a sax out all the time.

I'm a leaver-outer too

If I leave my Bauhaus bari too long between blows (many weeks) the regulation is off for the first few minutes of play... I'm guessing that an upper pad or two might dry out and stop sealing

A build up of condensation seems to restore normality and with regular playing the problem goes away altogether

I don't know if storing the bari in a case rather than leaving on a stand would keep the pads more pliant?

 

[dexdex]

So, your claim is that Rahsaan Roland Kirk played several horns at once, just to guarantee an uninterrupted solo should one fail?

A real pioneer. Could it be that he inspired the concept to the IT industry ? 🎷😉

 

[Targa]

A real pioneer. Could it be that he inspired the concept to the IT industry ? 🎷😉

IT industry?
I’ve got a problem with my saxophone.
Have you tried switching it off and on again?

 

[dexdex]

IT industry?
I’ve got a problem with my saxophone.
Have you tried switching it off and on again?

Don’t forget the latest (reed) update ! 😇

 

[Pete Thomas]

Have you tried switching it off and on again?

That doesn't work, you have to switch it on and off again.

 

[Targa]

That doesn't work, you have to switch it on and off again.

Isn’t that after it’s been turned into a lamp stand?

 

[turf3]

I'm a leaver-outer too

If I leave my Bauhaus bari too long between blows (many weeks) the regulation is off for the first few minutes of play... I'm guessing that an upper pad or two might dry out and stop sealing

A build up of condensation seems to restore normality and with regular playing the problem goes away altogether

I don't know if storing the bari in a case rather than leaving on a stand would keep the pads more pliant?

That's why despite the warnings of doom from a sector of the technician population, I cork up my pads when I put my horns away. They retain regulation far better. The purported "excessive deepening of pad seats" may be happening, but it's sure taking a heck of a long time given that I've been doing this for more than 30 years.

 

[Ivan]

I cork up my pads when I put my horns away

What does that involve?

 

[thomsax]

I had a back-up tenor to my "The Martin Magna Tenor" -59. My "The Martin Tenor" -55 was close to the Magna. I was just playing for my own pleasure so why a back-up sax? A more mainstream (tone and sound) sax, like Yani T-880 or YTS 25, was better when I played in a hornsection. As sax owner I was professional .... .