Saxophones Pork Tales: Saxophone Repair DIY Adventures.

Life around the barn.

Tales from a pig that likes to stick his nose into everything.

Paint that S. How difficult could it be ?

1) Search the net.
2) Find the color.
3) Order color.
4) Study task on University of YouTube, aka; For destruction by DYI presented by pro tech.

Do the cleaning & prep.

Paint and cleanup / detail the edges with hard cotton swabs. Sounds easy……

Yeah tha guy Matt makes it look easy.
Anyone remember your first experience cooking bacon crispy while still in the frying pan !

 

[Tuppertn]

Warranties are never based on durability tests. They're a statement that represents the manufacturer's confidence in the quality of their materials and processes. A 50-year warranty is an over-the-top way for the company to say "this horn is perfectly built and we give you 50 years to find any mistakes"

They're also making a statement about how strong the company is by assuming they'll be around in 50 years to back the warranty. That bit didn't quite pan out in this case.

 

[Woodpad]

I’ve yet to find ANY production flaw in a Martin saxophone. The craftsmanship quality is amazing.
I’ve yet to find a Conn without any flaws. Sometimes I wonder if the company allowed drinking alcohol on the job.

For me Martin saxophones have this quality vibe I associate with German factories. Strangely enough it is allowed to drink beer in German factory canteens.

 

[saxismyaxe]

For me Martin saxophones have this quality vibe I associate with German factories. Strangely enough it is allowed to drink beer in German factory canteens.

That would make sense, as the founding Martin family came to the U.S. from Germany.

 

[kamak]

Warranties are never based on durability tests. They're a statement that represents the manufacturer's confidence in the quality of their materials and processes. A 50-year warranty is an over-the-top way for the company to say "this horn is perfectly built and we give you 50 years to find any mistakes"

They're also making a statement about how strong the company is by assuming they'll be around in 50 years to back the warranty. That bit didn't quite pan out in this case.

Exactly.

 

[Tuppertn]

FWIW, this was case candy that came with my CommIII alto...

 

[PigSquealer]

FWIW, this was case candy that came with my CommIII alto...

View attachment 34559

Lucky you ! I didn’t know that you have an alto too. I can’t make out what the finish is ?

 

[Tuppertn]

Lucky you ! I didn’t know that you have an alto too. I can’t make out what the finish is ?

As best I can tell it says "one". There were 3 finishes available in 1953: lacquered brass, silver with gold bell, and gold plate. The price lists around that time don't refer to them as finishes 1, 2 and 3, but I think that was the idea.

Finish "one" = lacquered brass

Also, I would have thought "Instrument" would be Sax and "Model" would be Alto, but whatever. Whoever filled out the card 73 years ago has long since moved on.

 

[PigSquealer]

@turf3 by coincidence I have a late 50’s Conn 16m & 41 Martin Comm II on my bench at the moment. Say less than twenty years apart. As a mechanical engineer do you see a refined engineering difference in just the hardware ? The 16m is not really different than a 10m of 1941. Basically the same hardware engineering of a 1940 10m. Any correlation between hardware use and refined Engineering? Like the Conm upper stack hinge rod is so long it’s out of view. A mass of bits fit on one hinge.
Martin has more parts that require single components to be individually fitted.
Both the matching quality is of high precision. Final assembly is greatly different. Conn metals are quite softer. Martins are of very hard metals.

The Conn on left / dark block. (Note; some of the pivot points are below view inside the block holder), Martin on right / larger block.

 

[PigSquealer]

As best I can tell it says "one". There were 3 finishes available in 1953: lacquered brass, silver with gold bell, and gold plate. The price lists around that time don't refer to them as finishes 1, 2 and 3, but I think that was the idea.

Finish "one" = lacquered brass

Also, I would have thought "Instrument" would be Sax and "Model" would be Alto, but whatever. Whoever filled out the card 73 years ago has long since moved on.

SN 186xxx ? A 1953 “The Martin” alto Comm III ?

I’m still moving 🤣

 

[PigSquealer]

@ 21:50 (9:50pm) today two more Selmers arrived. A 159xxx T & 55xxx A. Didn’t look at what was in the cases for a few hours.

Attached note asking if I can have ready / done in two weeks?
No problem .
With 27 Grammys he well used his tools. None ever abused. Spot oiled & regulation work only for years. Maybe a closed pad replaced.
Some know how to be gentle on machines.
This is the tenor

The player worked hard at his musical craft for many years. It wasn’t always easy street. I completely understand.

 

[PigSquealer]

The alto is in better condition

Not sure if I should paint the “S” ?

 

[PigSquealer]

@Stephen Howard for reciever mass studies…

 

[Stephen Howard]

@Stephen Howard for reciever mass studies…

Good grief! Madness...utter madness.

 

[PigSquealer]

Good grief! Madness...utter madness.

I’m hesitant to clean or polish the bit. Doing so may make the unit play brighter 😬
I don’t care to take part in a news broadcast
Any recommendations are appreciated.
Also, do you have any articles on removing hair of any/ all types ? The hair residue looks to be from various mammals. Although no beaver is witnessed yet. This below and above posts to be observed for proper cure if possible.
Thank you in advance.

 

[skeller047]

Are you doing a full repad? If so, Dawn will get the hair off. If not, then a good wipe with Pledge sprayed on a cloth will do. You will have to completely disassemble, right? Dawn for the body, and Pledge for the keys. Fresh oil everywhere.

I just did that to my tenor, in one day. I had planned to take 2 or 3 days, but got a call for a gig the next afternoon after the palm keys, octave key, LH stack and RH side keys had come off, so I stayed up till 2:30 cleaning, fussing, reseating a couple pads, regulating and oiling. Plays good now, but no bath for the body, just Pledge.

 

[thomsax]

That's why a new Martin came with a 50-year factory warranty--50 years! No manufacturer in today's world would even consider such a thing.

When I say a Marin Handcraft Comm II and some other saes from that era are the peak I mean the quality of material and the quqlity of the work. My "The Martin" saxes have a more modern tone compared to Comm II and Handcraft (Committee).

The Martin Band Instrument Company had 40 years warranty but what about warranty when RMC and Wurlitser took over the production? I have 3 "The Martin" saxes from Martin Band Instrument era and one from the RMC ownership. My The Marins are more than 50 years old. Leblanc took over Martin in 1971? I wonder if they had Martin warranty in 2020 or 2021????😉

 

[thomsax]

Double

 

[turf3]

PS, I think that alto octave key may be off a Grassi.

 

[PigSquealer]

PS, I think that alto octave key may be off a Grassi.

Grassi on the left.

 

[Woodpad]

I’m hesitant to clean or polish the bit. Doing so may make the unit play brighter 😬
I don’t care to take part in a news broadcast
Any recommendations are appreciated.
Also, do you have any articles on removing hair of any/ all types ? The hair residue looks to be from various mammals. Although no beaver is witnessed yet. This below and above posts to be observed for proper cure if possible.
Thank you in advance.

Green gobler industrial gel strength? works as industrial cleaner, no known use on saxophones.