Leaking Pads

[peter_fitton]

I'm fairly certain that both of my saxes have developed leaking pads. In the case of my alto - a cheap but quite nice Selmer Prelude - the G# sharp pad is definitely not air-tight. This is fairly obvious even to the naked eye.

My TJ Classic tenor seems to have a leaking G pad. Or at least G is prone to screeches and the like, especially when played with the octave key and particularly when coming down to a G from the palm key notes.

My question is this: is there anything that I can do to adjust the pads and stop the leaks, or is it something that has to be entrusted to a good repairer?

Cheers

Peter

 

[Linky Lee]

If the G note is having problems it will be the next pad down that has the leak.

The G# on your alto could be to do with a weak spring, changing this may cure it, and should also help the 'sticky G# syndrome'.
You should be able to do this yourself if you feel confident enough.

On the other sax, the G is part of the top stack so the adjustments are quite different from other key's. I wouldn't recommend giving it a go as your first time. Try some other keys that don't belong to a stack first.

Maybe you want to go to a local repairer, pay there minimum fee and get them to do both, it won't take that long at all, they'll probably spot some other leaks to and sort those out whilst they're at it.

 

[frankb]

For the G# pad, have a look at the left-hand little-finger table keys. If one of these is lower than it should be it can prevent the pad from fully closing.

 

[peter_fitton]

Thanks Linky & Frank.

I've had a look at the alto's table keys but nothing appears to be untoward.

I think I'll take the saxes into my local music shop at the weekend. They have a leak-light there but I don't think they can do repairs in house. Still, I'll see what they say.

Peter

 

[frankb]

Please let us know how you get on. I'd be interested in the root causes of your woes and what is done to solve them.

Best of luck,

Frank

 

[griff136]

Re your G# having a leak or not closing properly - check the cork (some saxes have felt or rubber)behind the arm that closes the G#pad


also check the spring to make sure it is on its latch and has enough tension to keep the key closed.

 

[peter_fitton]

Thanks Griff. I've just checked the arm for the G# and the spring that appears to operate to open & close the G# pad. Unfortunately, to my untrained eye, everything appears to be in order with no obvious adjustments to be made 🙁

Cheers

Peter

 

[griff136]

Peter,

To check if the spring is operating , hold down the G# pad with your right hand and operate the G# key with your left hand - the key should return to its "normal" position ie flush with with your other left hand pinky keys ( C#/B) make sure the key is not getting snagged on these two keys.

To check if the cork is ok on the key arm place a piece of folded paper under the key arm and then check to see if this has eliminated the leak.