Martin Saxes and Selective Galvanic Corrosion.

[stephen_howard]

Best of luck with that one - it might turn out to be quite a project.

You'd first have to ask people if they knew they didn't have the problem. It can be pretty hard to spot a cracked joint - though my article gives a few hints and tips as to how to go about it.

I don't believe I've ever bothered to count how many times I've found iffy tone hole joints - but I would consider myself remiss not to thoroughly check such horns for the problem...just as I'd check Keilwerth SX0R horns for warped tone holes and Yamaha 275 altos for offline bells.
It crops up often enough to have made it worthwhile writing an article about it.

I think if you're about to shell out half a grand for a fine old Martin you'd have to be particularly daft not to check the tone holes.

Regards,

 

[thomsax]

I think it's good that Stephen Howard is pointing out this problem. As he says; if you're going to buy an expensive "vintage" Martin have a look at the toneholes. If you're going to buy a Martin make sure is a good one.

As I said earlier in this topic I have four "The Martin ... " (as, two ts, bs) and one Martin HC -38 tenor and one Martin Comm II alto -40, that I use regularly, and I've checked the toneholes joint and they seems to be good. Even my Martin stencils seems to be fine. Over the years I havent resoldered a singel tonehole and I think I sold about 20 Martins when I was importing old American saxes in the 80's and 90's.

Linky, Phil, Lori, Pete .... who are blowing Martin are lucky to have saxes with the toneholes still there. I know lot's of players, from pros to amatuers, who are playing old Martin saxes ... .

As Martin players we should keep our saxes, toneholes and pads dry. I use swab, Pad Saver, pad swab/paper. This will help to keep our lovely Martins in fine shape.

Both Stephen Howard and Griff has been resoldering Martin toneholes so it's really no big problem. More a matter of money. If you pay a large amount for a Martin and have to resolder toneholses ... the sax would probaly cost you more than a new pro saxophone .....

I like the Martins because....

.... one of best necks that has ever been built
.... fine quaility of the brass
.... solid nickel-silver keys on some models
.... impressive sound, the low tones are outstanding
.... thickwall body
.... soldered on toneholes gives broader pad seats that seals good
.... fine Rock 'n' Roll and R&B horns

So keep honkin' on your Martin saxes, even if they're more or less suffering from selective galvanic corrosion. I have never thought that this could happen!!!!!

Thomas