Accessories Pad savers, or not?

dave 645

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I have read differing opinions on whether or not to use these. I am talking about the big fluffy feather duster type thing that goes inside of the main body of the sax. I used to store my sax with a pad saver inside, but read, that leaving the pad saver in creates more dust and extra sticky pads. Any ideas/ experiences.

Thanks, and Happy holidays
 
Dave, I've got one but very rarely use it. There have been previous discussions on here about the value of pad savers. I believe the theory is that the saver absorbs moisture, but I recall someone commenting that it must go somewhere and if the saver stays in your sax, so does the moisture. Personally I prefer now to use a pull through at least twice as soon after playing as practical and then leave the sax out to dry naturally on a stand - usually for several hours. I try to keep the pads clean in the usual way, with a cigarette paper drawn through. The Eb on alto is the only one I find gets a bit sticky sometimes. Having said that, the ex-pro who runs my ensemble always keeps pad savers in both alto and tenor.....
YC
 
My alto came with one and I use it, after swabbing. No problems with sticking pads.
I don't have one for the teno and never saw the need, but my bottom D# tends to stck after the instruments been in the case for a couple of days. I may try one, not sure.
 
I use a pull through with all my saxophones throughout the day and when I've finished for the day. Then I insert a Pad saver and leave it on a stand.

Just to find out if moisture is present, I have removed the Pad Saver after five minutes to find it quite damp despite the pull through being used. However, left in over night I have removed it dry so the moisture must be evaporating whilst in the sax. I also use a bell brush which I leave in too.

I will say that if I immediately place the sax into the case the Pad Saver is a little damp when I take it out the next morning. So I actually stopped storing my sax's in their cases and only use them for transporting them.
 
I tend to use a swab/pull-through, but then leave a pad saver in.
Unless I'm not out and about with the instrument, in which case I do both but leave the sax on a stand, having removed the pad saver again!
I do also tend to (carefully!) put a loop of my sling under the low C# pad, which opens both that and the tricky sticky G#. This way they dry out too, though both would normally be closed when 'at rest'.

And then when it all sticks a used fiver helps to clean the pads...

Nick
 
I have been using pad savers since I got my horns. I live in a very dry climate. 6000 feet in Arizona, US. High altitudes are not a problem with moisture staying very long in our horns. I do a pull through then put the pad saver in with some twists and leave it. I do leave my horns on stands. Never in the case right after using them. I use key clamps also. My teacher has bee using them for some time and has no problem with them. Tim
 

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

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