How often do you get your sax serviced?

[Lloyd]

I've been struggling with bottom B, Bb and C# for a little while now. It's only when I notice that a screw was missing on the right hand stack did I decide to give it the once over. Graham de Vere White of Prozone Music in Chesham charged me £53 for a check over, adjusting the action and replacing the screw. Plays like a dream now. And there was me thinking I was c**p.

Should have gone earlier, I suppose.

 

[Chris98]

I aim for once a year, give or take a month or two and I give my sax a good clean and oil every 4-6 months. Which reminds me, I think I'm over due my yearly visit, but having just paid out for a service, MOT, insurance and roadside assistance for my car, I might limp on for a little while more.

All the best,

Chris

 

[Nick Wyver]

When they need it. Or rather, about 6 months after they need it.

 

[kevgermany]

Get Stephen Howard's book and do it yourself. Even if you give some of the work out, checking for leaks, checking the regulation and oiling is easy for most people to do.

 

[zootsaxenberger]

generally when they wont play any more or i run out of laccy bands!

 

[Justin Chune]

When I think there's a problem, then in they go. I put my clarinet in for a service and re pad fifteen years ago, and it's been playing great ever since. £53. sounds like money well spent.

Jim.

 

[stefank]

When something stops working that I can't fix myself!

 

[half diminished]

I've not yet had a sax for 2 years but it would be my intention do get a pro job once a year. I've been tweaking and minor adjusting and oiling the 66RUL as it needs it since I got Stephen Howard's great book which I can recommend. It get's oiled every couple of months or so.

The big thing for me that I can't even attempt is regulation so that will be left to the experts!

 

[Morgan Fry]

I've not yet had a sax for 2 years but it would be my intention do get a pro job once a year.

Shouldn't need to be this often, really. If the horn has been set up properly, it should hold regulation for a long time. My tenor took a knock a couple of years ago and hasn't been consistently right since (just cheap quick fix never last very long). But my alto I had overhauled 6 years ago, it hasn't seen the inside of a shop since, played it between 1 and 6 hours nearly every day since then. Still plays perfect. My point is, a good horn in excellent condition, a proper setup, should last years.

That said, not all horns are equal. Some are softer keywork and don't hold regulation for very long. Every pro I know just plays it every day and gets it worked on when something is wrong. How wrong depends on the player. I have a pretty low tolerance for leaks but I've seen guys gigging on horns I would have considered unplayable.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Reassuring comment from Morgan....! I was beginning to feel guilty that I have not had one for 4 years, but seriously don't notice anything problematic thus far. I can now get on with my trumpet practice..........;}

Kind regards
Tom