Sad news and a repairer recommendation.

[aldevis]

Not sure about the section, but I'd like this public.

The music shop in North Ealing, Michael White, will be closed by the end of the month.

It has been an important place for years, mostly thanks to the eccentric Mr. White (that sold to Chimes a couple of years ago) and the great repairer/refacer, legend Bill Wrathall.

Mr. Wrathall's bench neighbour, the wonderful James Bradley, will have to start his own workshop, in Clapham, and he deserves the maximum support. Nice guy, patient, with that magic touch that special technicians have.
http://www.bradleywoodwind.co.uk

I also like to wish all the best to all the MW staff, past and present.

 

[Jeanette]

Such a shame when businesses have to close.

Good luck to James with his own workshop

Jx

 

[Ads]

Is Bill starting his own workshop (or has he) , I`ve never been able to find any contact details for him

 

[aldevis]

Is Bill starting his own workshop (or has he) , I`ve never been able to find any contact details for him

Bill just returned to MW after some health issues, to find the shop closing down.
Very, very sad. I will update the forum about him.

(I took years to convince him to do some mouthpiece works for me: not easy)

 

[David Roach]

Such a shame. I was a regular there during the 80s when I lived in Acton and knew the White family well: I bought a lot of reeds, mouthpieces and a few saxes there. Mike's brother Dave is an excellent sax and clarinet player, a session regular during the 80s and 90s. Their Dad, Ted White, is a fine arranger in the 50s/60s 'light music' style of rampant chromaticism.

You know how sometimes a particular building or person holds a special place in your heart, even though you don't visit them any more? That's how it is for me and Mike White's shop; his Basil Faulty impression was priceless!

 

[Tenor Viol]

Sad to hear - it is extremely difficult for small music businesses to survive in the weird the world that is the UK high street

 

[MMM]

Real shame: bought my first sop there in the late 80's and the Meyer tenor piece I still have. Also a company with vision: from what I can recall, they were the first in the uk to start importing Chinese saxes under their own name (the awful MWs!).
M.

 

[Saxlicker]

his Basil Faulty impression was priceless!

You mean that was deliberate?

It was quite a squeeze to do a round trip by car to Michael's, Don Mackrill's, John Myatt, Howarth and Lewington's in one round trip from the south coast but we always started at Michaels. I bought a couple of horns from him at reasonable prices and he absolutely hated the fact that I wanted "one of those" ROC Britone mouthpieces in the yellow and black box.
He begrudgingly took my £8 (at a time when a yamaha mouthpiece was about £15 and a super tone master was about £75 ) and he assured me I wasted my money.
I agree with his reasoning.
But incidentally we were wrong in the money sense. Curiosity of rare items does funny things to the mind. So I had people fighting overing it for 10 times that price when the internet auction site took off.

Shame about the demise since his retirement and even in the later years.

 

[saxendd]

Sad news indeed. I would like to add my voice in heartfelt appreciation for all the support they have given me over the past two years. I wish all associated with it continued success in their future ventures.

regards
saxendd

 

[aldevis]

Getting worst:
Ritz Music in Putney is going too...

 

[Jeanette]

Oh no, what a shame..........

 

[MMM]

Oh no, what a shame..........

That is a shame, I thought they had picked up most of the business from Richmond Music (which closed down a few years ago). Where will Mr Garnett go next?

 

[aldevis]

Ritz music is keeping the Richmond shop, but it seems without the legendary Mr. Garnett.

 

[Soupy]

One thing I'm learning, as I delve into the world of Saxophones, is that most players develop very intimate and trusting relationships with a local Technician.

What does that tell me about the Saxophone? That unlike the guitar (which I've played for forty years plus) which truly doesn't need much repair work with any consistency, (Polish, changing strings, Tuning), and for the most part, can be maintained by its owner; a Saxophone is a delicately-balanced instrument that can EASILY have technical issues, and requires the careful touch and comprehension of a well-trained person to keep the instrument in check.

No wonder (I observe) Saxophone players have "more than one horn" as I've learned. I'm beginning to think that it is not so much that they like having a variety, as much as it is variety AND availability. If your Alto is out of whack, and you have a performance coming up, you grab your OTHER Alto, or Tenor. It's about how easily your instrument can be out of tune, damaged, whatever. Am I beginning to understand the reality of the world of the Saxophone player/owner?

To be a Saxophone player/owner, is starting to reveal itself as a thing that is likely best kept in the world of the fairly well off. On the other hand, I see the street performers (over the years) who are out there. THEY manage to keep their instruments sounding right. Perhaps they are not as "Vagabond" as they appear?! Either that, or my fears of the Saxophone's fragility are mis-informed, and mis-guided.

-Soupy

 

[aldevis]

A saxophone needs definitely some love and care, but do not underestimate the pleasure of listening to the amount of anecdotes, jokes and sometimes BS that many repairers keep warm for you.
Also that pleasant feeling of having the best instrument in the world when they perform that magic is something a guitarist can hardly experience.

 

[Nick Wyver]

To be a Saxophone player/owner, is starting to reveal itself as a thing that is likely best kept in the world of the fairly well off.

 

[aldevis]

To be a Saxophone player/owner, is starting to reveal itself as a thing that is likely best kept in the world of the fairly well off.

I oversaw this one.
Looking forward to tell it to all the chaps down the old yacht club.
I hope they wont spill the Champagne on the oysters, though.

(How do you tell if a saxophone player is knocking at your door? He has a PizzaHut hat)

 

[Soupy]

............... that pleasant feeling of having the best instrument in the world when they perform that magic is something a guitarist can hardly experience.

As an appreciator of music in general, and from a performers point of view, I will tell you that a sweet sounding instrument, (guitar, trombone, saxophone, trumpet, ukulele.............or whatever) is never missed by its owner.

With regard to wealth.......obviously I'm not saying that every Saxophone player is rich, but rather that the costs involved, and the delicacy of the instrument, are becoming more and more apparent as I read what is said about the instrument in here. You could drive yourself to the "poor farm" trying to maintain these instruments (it seems like). Especially when I read folks statements about the "hundreds" of accessory items they buy (mouthpieces, etc). Not to even mention the upkeep of the instrument itself, to get back to my original observation.

-Soupy

 

[ProfJames]

Soupy I think that most of the comments from forum members to new players are erring on the safe side! We all want new players to go into playing sax with their eyes wide open. It's learning from the mistakes that the members have made that allow them to offer good advice.

When I first started to learn I never knew of this site. I bought a £250 horn off eBay and booked a lesson! It came with a reasonable mouthpiece, sling and a couple of reeds. That was plenty for couple off months and gave me a good grounding. It was then my decision to but more mpcs, reeds, horns, etc. It is a passion!

But there are many members who only have one sax because that is their wish and passion. Each to their own, it doesn't have to be expensive.

 

[Soupy]

Soupy I think that most of the comments from forum members to new players are erring on the safe side! We all want new players to go into playing sax with their eyes wide open. It's learning from the mistakes that the members have made that allow them to offer good advice.

When I first started to learn I never knew of this site. I bought a £250 horn off eBay and booked a lesson! It came with a reasonable mouthpiece, sling and a couple of reeds. That was plenty for couple off months and gave me a good grounding. It was then my decision to but more mpcs, reeds, horns, etc. It is a passion!

But there are many members who only have one sax because that is their wish and passion. Each to their own, it doesn't have to be expensive.

Totally understand, and totally agree.

-Soupy