It should be noted that depending on the amount of bending you want to do and depending on the make/model (design) of the instrument, you may need to use a key bending tool or even remove the key in order to make the adjustment.
In this case, the twisting of the hinge tube (which is what happens on a key like this one where the key arm and the key foot are separated on the key and individually attached to the hinge tube a little distance apart, unlike say some old Conns where the key foot and the key arm are the same piece with then hinge tube running through the center) made it bind between the posts just a tiiiiiiny bit, so I took a teensy weensy beensy (tech term) bit off the end with a hinge tube facer. (see more about hinge tube facing here: www.stohrermusic.com/2014/01/understanding-key-fitting-hinge-tube-and-post-facing/ ) Often though if you bend the key on the sax and it binds, the culprit is a slightly bent rod or even bent hinge tube. You can sometimes avoid this by bending the key off the horn using an assortment of specialized tools like bending arms, parallel pliers, machinist vise etc. if you would rather, but that is no guarantee.
Thanks Mat. As a new player, I have a couple of cheep sax's, that are not worth the cost of a pro service. However, I hate throwing them in the trash. Also, I'm really enjoying the machanical "black art" of fixing them. I'm retired, but used to be a metal worker working to 5 thousands of an inch tolerance. So this is like old school befor we had CNC
Thanks so much! I am a beginning saxophonist but I am pretty good with simple machinery like the keys of wind instruments. When I fingered An F sharp, the E key was not closing the F sharp pad properly and when I watched your video and heard you mention bending the keys, I immediately went to bend the key and it worked! Thank you so much!
Matt, this is a really simple, yet very useful piece of information. I have a couple of projects waiting for action on my part and I will use that to check all keys prior to replacing the pads. Thanks for posting this!
Hello Mr. Stohrer! This is a great video - I just have a quick question. What specifically did you do to the key when you refit it? Thank you! Edit: just saw you answered this in the pin haha. Thanks again!
matt, I enjoy your knowledge and expertise , I've got a question on my alto sax for your, my question is my lower register b natural has a different tone than my middle b natural , what would cause this would really appreciate your opinion, thanks
Hi Matt. I recently purchased a new saxophone (Selmer TS711 Prelude). I'm admittedly not an experienced player but In my opinion the F,E,D and D# sound a bit muffled when the octave key is pressed. Is there an adjustment for this?
nice video :). I wanted to ask: is it possible to set all the pads closer, near to the tone holes? , so that when pressing the keys the distance between the pads and tone holes is less, therefore making the pressing easier and give a little more speed to get the note or to close the tone hole?
It will affect response and intonation. Depending on the design of the horn, mouthpiece selection, and what the player desires there is a small bit of variation allowed where things still work and intonate properly, but there are limits.
Hello. I have a Yanagisawa T991. The low B voices a B flat. The B flat key works fine. Anything I can check?I live 2.5 hours away from the nearest repairman.
check that the spring hasn't popped off the Bb. if it has, the B spring will hold it open when the B is open but it'll flop closed when you depress the B.
It should be noted that depending on the amount of bending you want to do and depending on the make/model (design) of the instrument, you may need to use a key bending tool or even remove the key in order to make the adjustment.
What was the quick adjustment that freed up the F?
In this case, the twisting of the hinge tube (which is what happens on a key like this one where the key arm and the key foot are separated on the key and individually attached to the hinge tube a little distance apart, unlike say some old Conns where the key foot and the key arm are the same piece with then hinge tube running through the center) made it bind between the posts just a tiiiiiiny bit, so I took a teensy weensy beensy (tech term) bit off the end with a hinge tube facer. (see more about hinge tube facing here: www.stohrermusic.com/2014/01/understanding-key-fitting-hinge-tube-and-post-facing/ )
Often though if you bend the key on the sax and it binds, the culprit is a slightly bent rod or even bent hinge tube. You can sometimes avoid this by bending the key off the horn using an assortment of specialized tools like bending arms, parallel pliers, machinist vise etc. if you would rather, but that is no guarantee.
Well it couldn't have been more than a teensy weensy beensy bit if it was only five seconds.
Matt, really love your videos. I'm apprenticing at a shop and I've gotten so much out of watching all of your stuff. Thank you!
Thanks Mat. As a new player, I have a couple of cheep sax's, that are not worth the cost of a pro service. However, I hate throwing them in the trash. Also, I'm really enjoying the machanical "black art" of fixing them. I'm retired, but used to be a metal worker working to 5 thousands of an inch tolerance. So this is like old school befor we had CNC
Thanks so much! I am a beginning saxophonist but I am pretty good with simple machinery like the keys of wind instruments. When I fingered An F sharp, the E key was not closing the F sharp pad properly and when I watched your video and heard you mention bending the keys, I immediately went to bend the key and it worked! Thank you so much!
Thank you very much...this hrlped alot.....God bless you 🫶
Matt, this is a really simple, yet very useful piece of information. I have a couple of projects waiting for action on my part and I will use that to check all keys prior to replacing the pads. Thanks for posting this!
Thanks for the tip! Appreciate that!
Hello Mr. Stohrer! This is a great video - I just have a quick question. What specifically did you do to the key when you refit it?
Thank you!
Edit: just saw you answered this in the pin haha. Thanks again!
That is a very long answer! I suggest you buy the Reg Thorp repair manual and read the chapter on key fitting.
@@StohrerMusic Will do! These videos are super helpful. Thanks!
in alto sax, if we press which keys together with the octave key, the octave crook key does not go up?
I ordered a vintage Bari and I’m going to be repairing, I’m hoping for any guidance and any full drawn out video 😊
Thank you. If a secondary key needs is too up how can I lower it to prevent air leaking? Thanks.
matt, I enjoy your knowledge and expertise , I've got a question on my alto sax for your, my question is my lower register b natural has a different tone than my middle b natural , what would cause this would really appreciate your opinion, thanks
Very good....and dthe upper stack?
Hi Matt. I recently purchased a new saxophone (Selmer TS711 Prelude). I'm admittedly not an experienced player but In my opinion the F,E,D and D# sound a bit muffled when the octave key is pressed. Is there an adjustment for this?
Thank you for that. One question:
Where would I got to buy a set of pads for a 1920 Buescher C Melody?
Awesome as always, Bro!! :0)
nice video :). I wanted to ask: is it possible to set all the pads closer, near to the tone holes? , so that when pressing the keys the distance between the pads and tone holes is less, therefore making the pressing easier and give a little more speed to get the note or to close the tone hole?
It will affect response and intonation. Depending on the design of the horn, mouthpiece selection, and what the player desires there is a small bit of variation allowed where things still work and intonate properly, but there are limits.
Thank you so much for your videos, I am Isingoma Deus from Uganda. I have an Alto sax with problems, how can I get your services
Kudos Sir.. I am Nelson by name. I have an issue with my Alto saxophone. The Key G is no longer sounding as G But G sharp.. HOW do I fix this problem?
Hello nelson. My daughter is having this same issue now and I e discovered the problem. Are you still having issues?
Hello. I have a Yanagisawa T991. The low B voices a B flat. The B flat key works fine. Anything I can check?I live 2.5 hours away from the nearest repairman.
check that the spring hasn't popped off the Bb. if it has, the B spring will hold it open when the B is open but it'll flop closed when you depress the B.
Stohrer Music Thankyou.. finally found the problematic spring.. fixed!
HI STOHRER I WOULD IKE TO KNOW WHERE U ARE LOCATED ARE U IN THE STATES OR IN EUROPE? THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER ALL THE BEST DENNIS
hes is on the eastcoast of the United States