Tech/maintenance Got an MK VI tenor in today for an overhaul.

[Vlad]

Is that based on his ‘net reputation or has he done work for you in the past? I am curious as to how his prices compare to equally skilled, but less “famous”, technicians.

FWIW, I am not against seeking the best and paying top dollar for an overhaul of my #1 horn. I have done that a couple times.

Not had anything done by him myself, I just think I'd trust him to do it properly and not 'bodge' it

 

[Dr G]

Not had anything done by him myself, I just think I'd trust him to do it properly and not 'bodge' it

That’s a low bar for a potentially expensive service. Are there no other techs in your area? I like to find good techs that have the time to hear me out regarding my interests, concerns, and needs.

Regardless, happiness is having your favorite horn in top fettle.

 

[Vlad]

That’s a low bar for a potentially expensive service. Are there no other techs in your area? I like to find good techs that have the time to hear me out regarding my interests, concerns, and needs.

Regardless, happiness is having your favorite horn in top fettle.

Well I'm very cautious as I've heard lots of tales of very bad careless work, that have also been very expensive !

 

[LostCircuits]

You need the Blues Brothers chicken wire fence in front of the stage. 😉

Actually, it was a band member, specifically the drummer who has a bit of a social distance issue who walked up to me with a bottle of beer in her hand and toasted against my bell. She's done that twice in the past on separate occasions and I am now trying to keep a 6 ft buffer zone between her and me. She's one of those folks who in their own eyes never do anything wrong and when you point out the obvious, you get that blank stare and she does it again next time.

 

[Woodpad]

I also have a baritone I'd like (needs) servicing, trouble is who to trust these days, Stephen Howard would be my favourite of course.

Good luck with that. A good service on an alto is no proof for a good service on a bari.

 

[dreadnet]

Well I'm very cautious as I've heard lots of tales of very bad careless work, that have also been very expensive !

Stephen Howard is excellent at saxophone engineering. He sorted out two saxophones for me at a reasonable price. Plus he offers good advice on repairs. A very nice fella with loads of stories to tell. I would recommended him as a repair man. Done a 100 mile round trip to see him. Well worth it.

 

[Jeanette]

Stephen Howard is excellent at sax techie. He sorted out two saxophones for me at a reasonable price. Plus he offers good advice on repairs. A very nice fella with loads of stories to tell. I would recommended him as a repair man. Done a 100 mile round trip to see him. Well worth it.

And a member here @Stephen Howard

 

[Stephen Howard]

Thanks for the mention and the comps!

Some good points raised here.

"Internet fame" is worthless. I too have have made the mistake of recommending someone based on what's I've read. Having subsequently seen the work carried out I've realised that I can only recommend based on what I've actually seen.
Some of this work can be seen in The Black Museum section on my website.
And as regards fame - I don't need it. I always describe myself as a 'jobbing repairer'. If folks want to refer to me as some sort of guru I'll admit it's very flattering but it's really not my sort of thing. I just do what I do, and I try to do the best that I can. That's what makes me happy, as does making my clients happy.

There is some truth that a good service on an alto may not translate to a good service on a bari - but this would be largely down to experience rather than a new set of techniques.

Being cautious is a good approach.
I have a 'little black book'. Actually it's a folder on my computer. It contains names, photos and descriptions of work that's been carried out by other repairers and subsequently brought to me to put right. It's not a small list.
Clients who bring such horns into me often, after being shown what's wrong, ask "Why did they leave it like that??" and my answer is always "I dunno, I've never been able to figure that out". I'm also often asked "What makes a good repairer" - to which the answer is "Giving a damn".

Here's what I do when I'm looking for someone to carry out some work for me, be it a car repair, a kitchen fit, a stove installation etc.
I put a post on a relevant forum and ask for recommendations. I then contact the people who made recommendations to ask if they'd mind elaborating on their experience. You tend to get more detail like this, plus a more personal picture.

 

[ghostler]

I'm also often asked "What makes a good repairer" - to which the answer is "Giving a damn".

How true, there is no merit in slipshod work. Thus far I have found that the those who "give a hoot" don't need to do a lot of advertising, they are always busy, most business is from word of mouth by satisfied customers.

Here's what I do when I'm looking for someone to carry out some work for me, be it a car repair, a kitchen fit, a stove installation etc. I put a post on a relevant forum and ask for recommendations. I then contact the people who made recommendations to ask if they'd mind elaborating on their experience. You tend to get more detail like this, plus a more personal picture.

Concur, I have found this to be the best way of getting the services I need.

"Internet fame" is worthless.

Unfortunately there appears persistent Internet folklore regarding saxes, even to the venerable yet well regarded Mark VI's. I found a decent treatise provided by Pete Hale on a site he sold, SaxPics:

The Selmer Mark VI :: SaxPics.com

saxpics.com

He gets into the nitty gritty, exposes wives tales, etc. The Mark VI can be appreciated as a no nonsense solid workhorse, beautiful in tone, still loved for this very reason, still holds its own even today, why a good number of pros still cleave to it and various others seek it.

Pete Hale is now the proprietor of:

Suspended Domain

 

[Grumps]

"Internet fame" is worthless.

I would disagree, as it put plenty of folks on the map who made small fortunes; although perhaps not deservedly so. In that vein I have to tell you that about a half dozen years ago I found myself sitting in the parlor of one such infamous individual. One I'm sure is no stranger to you. Wonderfully odd experience in a sort of Nixon goes to China way. But in New Orleans...

 

[Targa]

I would disagree, as it put plenty of folks on the map who made small fortunes; although perhaps not deservedly so. In that vein I have to tell you that about a half dozen years ago I found myself sitting in the parlor of one such infamous individual. One I'm sure is no stranger to you. Wonderfully odd experience in a sort of Nixon goes to China way. But in New Orleans...

He'd certainly be a stranger to me as are the rest of the sort I think you are talking about and happy for them to stay that way.

 

[Grumps]

He'd certainly be a stranger to me as are the rest of the sort I think you are talking about and happy for them to stay that way.

You want to keep a rogue at arm's length, but that doesn't mean they can't otherwise be interesting.

 

[Targa]

You want to keep a rogue at arm's length, but that doesn't mean they can't otherwise be interesting.

When you wrote 'One I'm sure is no stranger to you' I assumed you meant 'we' would probably recognise his name.
If he is merely 'internet famous' I'm fairly certain I will never have heard of him.

 

[skeller047]

You want to keep a rogue at arm's length, but that doesn't mean they can't otherwise be interesting.

I believe I know of the individual you refer to. I have always thought he’d be a good hang, but he’s the kind that gives snake oil a good name!

 

[Grumps]

When you wrote 'One I'm sure is no stranger to you' I assumed you meant 'we' would probably recognise his name.
If he is merely 'internet famous' I'm fairly certain I will never have heard of him.

The "you" was someone else. But whether or not you know who the who is, he was last seen with Anthony Bourdain. A good ride despite nonimportance in your book.

 

[Targa]

The "you" was someone else. But whether or not you know who the who is, he was last seen with Anthony Bourdain. A good ride despite nonimportance in your book.

Then again I have no idea who Anthony Bourdain is.

 

[PigSquealer]

And as regards fame - I don't need it. I always describe myself as a 'jobbing repairer'. If folks want to refer to me as some sort of guru I'll admit it's very flattering but it's really not my sort of thing. I just do what I do, and I try to do the best that I can. That's what makes me happy, as does making my clients happy.

Like you I get up every day a try my best. I share my experiences. Upon more than one occasion. I’ve let people know I’m just an average guy who fixes stuff. Cars, Motorcycles, watches, saxophone or anything else that needs fixing. I’m happy when everything works best I can do.

Yeah, we see things.

 

[PigSquealer]

Then again I have no idea who Anthony Bourdain is.

Search the name along with “Raw Craft” see episode #3