Problem With New Sax.

[Bobby G]

Hi Jambo, it sounds like your reeds are probably ok, maybe the new lig will sort things out. Having said that, I bought a Selmer mpc with Rovner lig for the sop and wondered aloud if it would fit my metal alto mpc. I was advised in the shop that I needed the next size up, but I tried the sop lig on the alto mpc and it works fine, so unless the mpc is huge I would expect the lig to be ok, even if it's only a copy, as long as it holds the reed without strangling it.

Have you tried something mentioned earlier i.e. blowing the mpc on its own, then with just the crook attached? This could narrow down where the fault is locared, pointing towards the mpc or crook as the cause, or the main body of the horn.

Good luck with it...

Cheers, Bob

 

[jambo]

There is no way the lig will fit. Its crap.

As for your suggestion, I did that (put the mp on crook and blew it) and it worked fine.

I thinks its either that the horn doesnt like the mp, or the horn is busted

 

[Linky Lee]

Have you got a leak light?

If not you can use a small torch but it's very fiddly and not quite as good. I doubt the horn is busted if it's just been to Steven (I think I remember you saying that somewhere).

 

[tris]

Try the MP with a reed and just "rubber band" it on... like in the olde days!

 

[pauloalto]

I might try that myself later just to see what it's like.

 

[jambo]

Hello Everyone. Here is the Update.

I got the reed on securly with a metal lig by just using the bottom screw. I blew the mouthpiece (got sound) then I put the mp ont he crook and that also blew fine.

When the crook goes onto the sax, I can play middle C & B, and high
C & B, but when I go down to both G's the sax squeaks. All the nots below both G's sound like breath and a but of growling.

I am sure that its either that the sax dont like the mp, or the sax is busted! 🙁

 

[Bobby G]

It sounds like a leak to me Jambo. As I understand it, an incompatible mouthpiece gives intonation etc problems rather than total failure below a certain place. It does sound to me as if you have a chunky bit of mouthpiece there if three different ligatures don't fit it properly. How big is the tip opening? Apart from the fact the mpc fits on the crook it almost sounds like you have a tenor piece there!

Time for the torch or fag-paper test, or whip it down to Allegro I reckon. Whereabouts in Oxfordshire are you?

Cheers, Bob

 

[jambo]

Cheers Ken.


Hi Bob.
I live in Witney (not that far from Oxford). I will probple take the sax down to Allegro.

As for the mouthpiece, I dont think its really over-sized (or at least it doesnt seem any bigger to how I remember my other mp). Maybe its a bit chunky. A real Rovner should fit it though

 

[robaldo]

Sounds like a simple leak, or a bit of linkage not working properly.

Check that the G# pad is properly sealed (normally closed) and the same with the two side keys (C trill key and Bb side key). Try pressing really hard on the G key and see if that makes any difference.

Moving from the higher A to G needs the octave pad to close (the one on the crook). Check whether this is closing ok and that it isn't bent - this is the most susceptible part of the instrument, the most damaging if it's buggered, and the easiest to fix!

I always start at the top of the instrument, and play down the notes until I lose the sound; that gives you a good idea of where the leak is.

I've come across this G problem a few times; sometimes suddenly in the middle of a gig.

Don't chuck it out just yet, Jambo... and just cos your lig doesn't fit, it doesn't make it crap! If you don't want it then I'll happily take it off your hands (I'm desperately in search of a Rovner imitation); send us a PM and I'll give you my address.

 

[jambo]

Hi Rodaldo.

I did what you said and puched the octave mechanism down a bit.
The sax playes much better, byt I think there might be a leak to do with the G key.

I will take it to a tech later in the week and get it looked at. At least the mp is ok.

As for the lig, the company might send me a Tenor one insted to see if that fits. If not, you can proble have my lig from me.

 

[robaldo]

Don't get too pissed off with it; it could just be something really simple and five minutes with a screwdriver will have you playing the best sax there is.

Bring on the lig...

 

[jambo]

I hope that is the case 😛

 

[Bobby G]

A thought occured while I was adjusting my springs earlier - if you have a leak, it could be a spring problem, caused by a spring sitting against the wrong side of its post, resulting in a flappy or badly-sealing pad. It's just possible a spring was disturbed during packing or transit.

Cheers, Bob

 

[jambo]

Cheers Bob.

Hopefully it is something as simple as that.

I will see what the Techs say tomoz 🙂

 

[Bobby G]

Going to Allegro? It's either going to be something minor, or a git seller on ebay. Hopefully the former.

I've been trying to get work to send me for one of my periodic trips to Oxford area so I could come and have a look at it! No luck, it's been knacked ATM's all round Luton lately 🙁

Let's hope it's a quick and cheap fix

Cheers, Bob

 

[jambo]

Thanks Bob!!! 😛

All tell yuo the news later!

 

[tris]

Good luck!

 

[robaldo]

Just taught a lesson where some obscure needle spring at the top popped off the guy's saxophone. His C/C# didn't work til we'd spent five minutes figuring out what had gone wrong.

All part of life as a sax player.

 

[robaldo]

here

 

[jambo]

Allegro Music have taken the sax in to be looked at. They said it will hopefully be done by the end of the week.

I will write revies ect when I get it and its playing nicely! 🙂