Moisture Removal

[impulse]

I`m concerned with the amount of moisture left in the sax after playing and I can`t help thinking a couple of pull thru`s or a "Pad Saver" accomplishes anything. I seem to recall somewhere a post on the use of a hair drier and this would certainly get under each pad when lifted. Any thoughts on this or anyone tried it? Perhaps you would need to reduce the heat.

 

[Bobby G]

Personally, I use a combination of a pull-through after playing, a thing like a small pad-saver to dry the crook and the mouthpiece, and I store the horn in its case with a pad saver.

Having said that, if my horns were left out on stands when not in use, I wouldn't bother with the pad-saver.

Some people use blotting paper or similar under pads which are sprung shut. Most people remove the mpc from the crook, and the reed from the mpc.

I've never used a hair-dryer on my horn, I would think the time taken to remove all the moisture, even on a low setting and after using a pull-through, could damage the horn, possibly drying/shrinking the pads.

Cheers, Bob

 

[tcavanagh]

[No message]

 

[jersey_mike]

I've been told by my tech that leaving it on a stand is just fine as long as you still go through the cleaning/swabbing procedures after playing it. The local climate requires a good swabbing, even to the point of drying the swab off on your pants for another go at it as humidity and mold is a big problem. I've had mold on my reeds when I didn't wipe them properly and let them sit awhile. A couple techs around here have told me to not leave the swab in the sax for that reason.

 

[Linky Lee]

The basic principal is to absorb as much moisture as you can, then seperate the wet or damp items from everything else, it's a good idea to let your saxophone air dry over a couple hours if you have that possibility. I place the cork grease tube between the case so it doesn't shut and let it air for a few hours with the damp items somewhere else. On a stand is fine though it's likely to get knocked more.

When swabbing, do it slowly and a few times. but don't put a wet swab down the sax, it will achieve nothing!

gig's are the worst places as you can't leave the case open for a few hours, if they have a back room or somewhere secure and dry leave it there propped open whilst you moisturise your stomach!

 

[impulse]

Yes folks further to this moisture post. I don`t see a lot of harm in some moisture left in the bell if the horn is not stored away as mine isn`t I find any moisture quickly dries out. The pads are another thing and if these are closed there`s no way they are going to dry. Perhaps(?) a change is required here. Tip any condensed moisture from the bell, clean the MPC/reed and absorbent paper dry the closed pads and if you can store like me forget the rest. (??)

 

[Linky Lee]

the pads will dry if air is passing through the saxophone, just make sure there isn't any water trapped between the pad and tone hole. you could dry that of with some rizzla or something.

 

[Bobby G]

Something as fine as a Rizla would probably disintegrate as soon as it got a bit damp. I like the blotting paper idea, initially suggested I think by Ken.

Why is the dried-on stuff round the top of a tone-hole always bright green?

Cheers, Bob

 

[tris]

Bobby G wrote:

Why is the dried-on stuff round the top of a tone-hole always bright green?

Cheers, Bob

Verde-green (brass rust!)

 

[griff136]

i used to use a swab and then got lazy - for the last 6 or so years I have just tipped my saxes (2 x mk 6's upside down and give it a firm shake to get any excess moisture out. then it goes in the case

I do use my saxes regularly - daily and i have not had any detrimental effects.

 

[Simon]

I'm with Griff136 on this - I used to use a swab, cigarette paper under the palm keys etc. Now, tip it and forget it. I rinse the neck and clean out the mouthpiece once in a while though...

2 points I've learnt: avoid those PadSaver fluffies and put a piece of cork or rubber under the Low B/Bb guard when not playing (eespecially on alto) - this opens the G# and stops it sticking.

Simon

 

[Lisa]

Hi,

You might find this thread handy to look at:

http://www.breakfastroom.co.uk/index.cgi?fid=01&topic_id=1155581035&highlight=Cleaning%20the%20Beast

I use a little brush (like a mini pad saver thing,) for my mouthpiece and a little pull through for the crook, then a big pull through on the horn (maybe 3 or 4 times through.) I always remove the mouthpiece and leave the rest assembled on its stand so it can air when I've finished playing.

It tends to get a bit dusty but I love shining it, so I don't mind! Plus, I get to look at it when it's out of its box. Gorgeous thang.

I went to buy a pad saver a while ago and the man in the shop told me he'd played sax for 13 years and never used anything to dry his sax... I'd have thought that'd make a horn a bit smelly though! 😱

I saw a thread on here ages ago from someone asking if it was safe to wash a horn under a shower.

Lisa
x

 

[Bobby G]

Well, I'm tempted now to stop using my pad savers and go back to just the pull-through, or even the out-the-window tip-up. I haven't used anything to keep the G# open, and even though I don't suffer from G# stickipad it seems like a good idea. Perhaps my G# doesn't stick because I play every day?

Cheers, Bob

 

[tris]

I am just tipping.. have been doing so for the last six weeks. I can't say i have noticed anything detrimental happening as the sax lives on it's stand in a toddler free environment!

I just do not have the time to keep pulling through and swabbing... my life is hectic as is and if i can grab 20 mins I do.

 

[Simon]

Yeah Bob, go the tip-up. Even out the window if yer can, esp if its open. The G# pad thing applies to alto - common prob.
Simon

Bobby G wrote:
Well, I'm tempted now to stop using my pad savers and go back to just the pull-through, or even the out-the-window tip-up. I haven't used anything to keep the G# open, and even though I don't suffer from G# stickipad it seems like a good idea. Perhaps my G# doesn't stick because I play every day?

Cheers, Bob

 

[Bobby G]

If I go the tipping route, how long would it take to fill a milk bottle?

Mine is an alto! I guess lack of stickIpad must be down to how regularly it gets played. On the other hand, my soprano palm key pads occasionally have to be prised off the body, as sometimes it doesn't get played for a couple of weeks.

Incidentally (and following on from another thread), this is why I see myself as primarily an alto player - I have the chance to play any of my horns every day, and alto is the only one I do play every day. Even when I'm into my tenor or soprano, I'm still playing alto as well.

There's a definite shortage of bands needing sax around these parts 🙁 The search must continue.

Cheers, Bob