Sax on the Web Forum

Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Selmer saxes / SBA low B,Bb key problem

shazophonic
User ID: 9697893 Aug 18th 12:07 PM
hi guys and gals,
got a slight problem. my SBA's low B & Bb keys tend to close a little when i put my sax on the lap, with those keys facing up... (this means the neck will be on your left).
i think the springs are worn out etc.
how do you change the springs EXACTLY. are there any sites that show how it's done.
the sax repair guy i go to doesnt know how to change springs. he never neednt to before this :)

please help... thanks

Steve Goodson
User ID: 2129174 Aug 18th 12:11 PM
See my article on replacing springs on the main Sax On The Web site.

Gordon (NZ)
User ID: 1265504 Aug 18th 5:59 PM
And he calls himself a sax repair guy???
That is like a "car mechanic" who does not know how to change brake pads, or a cam belt!

Gordon (NZ)
User ID: 1265504 Aug 18th 6:11 PM
Usually (unless they are weakened by rust) these springs just need retensioning. Unhook the spring, bend it evenly so it has a smaller radius curve in it, and hook it back.

If it breaks during the bending you have a replacement job to do. As with all work on instruments, the unexpected is almost the norm, superbly following Murphey's law, so the technician needs the skills/equipment/stocks to deal with all those contingencies.

If the spring is iintact but too weak, even after retensioning, then replacing the spring probably willnot help unless it is a larger diameter spring, which suddenly needs more equipment, for redrilling those tiny holes, and a judgment made on how much bigger the spring should be. If the hole is drilled too large then the complications keeep growing.

I sometimes wonder if some of the people who promote significant do-it-yourself work are actually just technicians touting for business - i.e. correcting the botch-ups that are bound to happen.

MBushaw
User ID: 0310794 Aug 18th 7:03 PM
I usually adjust the low B and Bb so they will not lift when the horn is on it's side. This makes the pinky keys so much easier to play. When the horn is in normal playing position the pads should work just fine.

Bari Martin
User ID: 0986624 Aug 18th 8:14 PM
I'm with Mbushaw - it's a non-problem. But if you really need more spring tension, Gordon told you how to do it. Another thing - make sure the horn is oiled - reduces friction and allows the keys to return faster (or more fully). Also always wipe the springs down with a Q-Tip with key oil on it. The oil will seep along the spring into the post, preventing corrosion and making the spring easier to remove if it breaks.

Gordon (NZ)
User ID: 1265504 Aug 19th 3:01 AM
I'm with Mbushaw too, but aI assumed this guy was doing cartweels and attempting backsommersaults while he was playing, hence needing the keys to open while in abnormal positions.
:-)

shazophonic
User ID: 9697893 Aug 19th 1:37 PM
ok guys. all of you have been so helpful. thanks man

Bari Martin
User ID: 9746563 Aug 19th 5:09 PM
You mean everybody doesn't play sax lying on their left side? I usually end the night like that. "Thought I was dancing 'til somebody stepped on my hand"
Anyway, Shaz, what's a 'SBA'? You talking about a Super Action? There ain't no 'Super Balanced Action', although it's probably too late to stop that train.
The springs are usually worn out on these ancient Selmers, and they really need a complete action set-up by somebody that knows what they're doing. This would be part of an extended overhaul, including setting up each key and polishing and straightening all hinge screws and rods. Really, a proper overhaul almost amounts to remanufacturing the sax. A far cry from the usual 'pad job'.

Gordon (NZ)
User ID: 1265504 Aug 19th 9:42 PM
SBA = Soprano Balanced Action??
or .......!!

*what have you started here!!*

shazophonic User ID: 9697893	Aug 18th 12:07 PM hi guys and gals, got a slight problem. my SBA's low B & Bb keys tend to close a little when i put my sax on the lap, with those keys facing up... (this means the neck will be on your left). i think the springs are worn out etc. how do you change the springs EXACTLY. are there any sites that show how it's done. the sax repair guy i go to doesnt know how to change springs. he never neednt to before this :) please help... thanks
Steve Goodson User ID: 2129174	Aug 18th 12:11 PM See my article on replacing springs on the main Sax On The Web site.
Gordon (NZ) User ID: 1265504	Aug 18th 5:59 PM And he calls himself a sax repair guy??? That is like a "car mechanic" who does not know how to change brake pads, or a cam belt!
Gordon (NZ) User ID: 1265504	Aug 18th 6:11 PM Usually (unless they are weakened by rust) these springs just need retensioning. Unhook the spring, bend it evenly so it has a smaller radius curve in it, and hook it back. If it breaks during the bending you have a replacement job to do. As with all work on instruments, the unexpected is almost the norm, superbly following Murphey's law, so the technician needs the skills/equipment/stocks to deal with all those contingencies. If the spring is iintact but too weak, even after retensioning, then replacing the spring probably willnot help unless it is a larger diameter spring, which suddenly needs more equipment, for redrilling those tiny holes, and a judgment made on how much bigger the spring should be. If the hole is drilled too large then the complications keeep growing. I sometimes wonder if some of the people who promote significant do-it-yourself work are actually just technicians touting for business - i.e. correcting the botch-ups that are bound to happen.
MBushaw User ID: 0310794	Aug 18th 7:03 PM I usually adjust the low B and Bb so they will not lift when the horn is on it's side. This makes the pinky keys so much easier to play. When the horn is in normal playing position the pads should work just fine.
Bari Martin User ID: 0986624	Aug 18th 8:14 PM I'm with Mbushaw - it's a non-problem. But if you really need more spring tension, Gordon told you how to do it. Another thing - make sure the horn is oiled - reduces friction and allows the keys to return faster (or more fully). Also always wipe the springs down with a Q-Tip with key oil on it. The oil will seep along the spring into the post, preventing corrosion and making the spring easier to remove if it breaks.
Gordon (NZ) User ID: 1265504	Aug 19th 3:01 AM I'm with Mbushaw too, but aI assumed this guy was doing cartweels and attempting backsommersaults while he was playing, hence needing the keys to open while in abnormal positions. :-)
shazophonic User ID: 9697893	Aug 19th 1:37 PM ok guys. all of you have been so helpful. thanks man
Bari Martin User ID: 9746563	Aug 19th 5:09 PM You mean everybody doesn't play sax lying on their left side? I usually end the night like that. "Thought I was dancing 'til somebody stepped on my hand" Anyway, Shaz, what's a 'SBA'? You talking about a Super Action? There ain't no 'Super Balanced Action', although it's probably too late to stop that train. The springs are usually worn out on these ancient Selmers, and they really need a complete action set-up by somebody that knows what they're doing. This would be part of an extended overhaul, including setting up each key and polishing and straightening all hinge screws and rods. Really, a proper overhaul almost amounts to remanufacturing the sax. A far cry from the usual 'pad job'.
Gordon (NZ) User ID: 1265504	Aug 19th 9:42 PM SBA = Soprano Balanced Action?? or .......!! what have you started here!!