In the 20+ years I've been playing tenor sax, I've noticed very few playing problems that (finally) prompted me to take my sax in for checking/adjustment/maintenance. If my sax didn't sound like I really wanted it to, my initial assumption has been that the main cause was probably me (too little practice, too little breath control, voicing, etc.) or a dodgy reed. On the few occasions I've taken the sax in to be checked out, it turned out that some adjustments were necessary (though it's not always been clear which ones 😉). If I'd had my sax checked out more regularly, it probably would have been in better condition more often!
Recently, I've had the feeling that I've had to work harder than usual to hit low notes with a stable tone. Last weekend, while recording for the BOTM, I decided that something was really off. Low F and below were harder to play, required more breath and tended to easily octavate. Switching mpc's and reeds didn't make much difference. So I took in in. Within 2 mins my (new, preferred) local repairer discovered 3 pads that were leaking due to age (cracks) or damage. She's now repairing these and I'm picking up the sax tomorrow. I don't yet know what the bill will be.
My gut feeling is that if these 3 pads are cracked/damaged, others might soon cause similar problems. So - although my budget is tight - I'm considering 'bundling' this quick 'problem repair' with an annual maintenance agreement. This agreement includes cleaning, checking/replacing all pads and making any and all adjustments to keep the sax in 'Top Form' throughout the year.
So my question to you is: does my gut feeling about the general condition of my pads (based on the current 3 replacements) ring true in your experience? I can choose to have pads replaced on a 'problem by problem' basis or - under the maintenance agreement - have my sax checked out from top to bottom and 'pro-actively' prevent problems. With an unlimited budget, I would definately choose the second option. I will of course ask my repairer for her advice (and payment options) but I'd be grateful for your feedback too. Wait until a problem (perhaps) appears from time to time or pay up front for an annual maintentance contract?
For me, my sax is a complicated thing and I much prefer to let 'specialists' fix/adjust things rather than attempt it myself. There may come a day when I'll take a cheap sax apart to figure out how a sax works🙂.
Mike
Recently, I've had the feeling that I've had to work harder than usual to hit low notes with a stable tone. Last weekend, while recording for the BOTM, I decided that something was really off. Low F and below were harder to play, required more breath and tended to easily octavate. Switching mpc's and reeds didn't make much difference. So I took in in. Within 2 mins my (new, preferred) local repairer discovered 3 pads that were leaking due to age (cracks) or damage. She's now repairing these and I'm picking up the sax tomorrow. I don't yet know what the bill will be.
My gut feeling is that if these 3 pads are cracked/damaged, others might soon cause similar problems. So - although my budget is tight - I'm considering 'bundling' this quick 'problem repair' with an annual maintenance agreement. This agreement includes cleaning, checking/replacing all pads and making any and all adjustments to keep the sax in 'Top Form' throughout the year.
So my question to you is: does my gut feeling about the general condition of my pads (based on the current 3 replacements) ring true in your experience? I can choose to have pads replaced on a 'problem by problem' basis or - under the maintenance agreement - have my sax checked out from top to bottom and 'pro-actively' prevent problems. With an unlimited budget, I would definately choose the second option. I will of course ask my repairer for her advice (and payment options) but I'd be grateful for your feedback too. Wait until a problem (perhaps) appears from time to time or pay up front for an annual maintentance contract?
For me, my sax is a complicated thing and I much prefer to let 'specialists' fix/adjust things rather than attempt it myself. There may come a day when I'll take a cheap sax apart to figure out how a sax works🙂.
Mike