Octave Key Post Repair

spysaxophone

New Member
4
Hi everyone,

Recently, I became unable to play in the lower octave on my saxophone. I believe that this was due to a lack of space between the neck octave ring and the post which extends from the body. This resulted in a leak in the neck. I brought it in to my local repair shop, and they had to use pliers to bend the post back. Is this proper procedure? At this point, the bent post is driving me insane. Every other part on the horn is essentially in brand new, perfect condition.

Is/was there any other way to fix the problem I was having? If so, is there a way to order a replacement pole?

Thanks
 
Sounds a bit crude to me. Depending on what's wrong, if bending is needed, better to bend the neck key. Can be done with hands, and done properly is unnoticeable. Pliers probably marked/damaged the post as well.

Where are you, we may be able to recommend someone reliable.

Where
 
Sounds a bit crude to me. Depending on what's wrong, if bending is needed, better to bend the neck key. Can be done with hands, and done properly is unnoticeable. Pliers probably marked/damaged the post as well.

Where are you, we may be able to recommend someone reliable.

Where

Thanks for your reply. At this point, I would feel a LOT more comfortable making the repair myself. I read this post by jbtsax on another thread:
jbtsax said:
If the instrument will not play in the lower octave
Check to see that there is at least a 1/16" gap between the neck octave key ring and the post extending from the body. Place your thumb between the ring and the body of the neck and then gently push down on the octave key. Then test the octave key adjustment (below). Should you go too far, place a pad slick or tongue depressor under the pad and carefully push back on the ring until the desired gap is achieved.

I suppose I could've done this and avoided damaging my instrument. At the moment, I'm more concerned with repairing the damage than sending it to another repair shop. Is it normal for a repair shop to do something like this, damaging the instrument? The pliers did indeed mark the post. At this point, I'm fairly certain the only way I can bend it straight upwards again is with pliers. Is there any way to order a stock replacement post? Or at this point do I just have to live with the bent and marked post?


Thanks for your help.
 
I agree with Kev. The standard procedure is to bend the ring, and not the post that extends from the saxophone. The post can be carefully bent back to its original position using smooth flat nose pliers. Below are instructions on how to do this yourself.

Check to see that there is at least a 1/16" gap between the neck octave key ring and the post extending from the body. If there is not, place your thumb between the ring and the body of the neck and then gently push down on the octave key to bend the ring out slightly. Should you go too far and the neck octave key does not open or open enough, place a pad slick or tongue depressor under the pad and carefully push back on the ring until the desired gap is achieved.
 
All I can add to this is that the gap should still be there when you turn the neck. If the neck ring is off centre this won't be the case.

And you can wrap the pliers with thick card or similar to avoid marking the neck more.

I guess you won't use this abuser again.
 
What is the make and model of your saxophone? For some brands like Yamaha, parts (spares) are readily available. Other brands, not so much. It is also possible to file and sand the marks out and then re-buff the part to look like new. It can then be relacquered or replated depending upon the finish. This is done on vintage saxes all the time.
 
What is the make and model of your saxophone? For some brands like Yamaha, parts (spares) are readily available. Other brands, not so much. It is also possible to file and sand the marks out and then re-buff the part to look like new. It can then be relacquered or replated depending upon the finish. This is done on vintage saxes all the time.

My saxophone is the Selmer STS280 La Voix II.
 
A good repairman in your area is Mike Nye. I went to the Conn-Selmer sight and found the part you need. The good news is that the list price is only $10.50. The bad news is that it is out of stock, and with Conn-Selmer that could be a long, long, long, long time from personal experience.
 
I must admit that I have an uneasy feeling about a company, yet alone a saxophone techician who would casually bend a octave casually ring neck with pliers, if that was the correct way to mend it i the first place, it should not of been done in front of the customer and the tech shoulf of moved heven and earth to make sure no sign was left that allowed a customer to be able to tell that pliers where used.


Nomad
 
I must admit that I have an uneasy feeling about a company, yet alone a saxophone techician who would casually bend a octave casually ring neck with pliers, if that was the correct way to mend it i the first place, it should not of been done in front of the customer and the tech shoulf of moved heven and earth to make sure no sign was left that allowed a customer to be able to tell that pliers where used.


Nomad
I think you'll find you misread the first post.
 
Doing something that rough to a customers intrument is one thing, doing it in front on them is another, there are certain things in life that should remain mysteries. And not getting rid of the plier marks was either plan lazy setting upto work, or plan lazy finishing up work.


Nomad
 
Doing something that rough to a customers intrument is one thing, doing it in front on them is another, there are certain things in life that should remain mysteries. And not getting rid of the plier marks was either plan lazy setting upto work, or plan lazy finishing up work.


Nomad
The plier marks shouldn't have been made. And it's a lot of work to remove them when the post is lacquered.
 
A good repairman in your area is Mike Nye. I went to the Conn-Selmer sight and found the part you need. The good news is that the list price is only $10.50. The bad news is that it is out of stock, and with Conn-Selmer that could be a long, long, long, long time from personal experience.
.@spysaxophone Take a recommendation from jbtsax seriously. He's an experienced tech with very high standards.
 
Hi everyone,
Recently, I became unable to play in the lower octave on my saxophone. I believe that this was due to a lack of space between the neck octave ring and the post which extends from the body. This resulted in a leak in the neck. I brought it in to my local repair shop, and they had to use pliers to bend the post back. Is this proper procedure? At this point, the bent post is driving me insane. Every other part on the horn is essentially in brand new, perfect condition.

Is/was there any other way to fix the problem I was having? If so, is there a way to order a replacement pole?

I would be concerned as to whether you are causing the problem with neck pulldown. i.e. pressing down on the mouthpiece can bend the neck which creates a gap between the octave key and the pip.
If it was sorted and is happening again you may be pressing down too much.
 

Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

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