[jazzbari]

:banghead: I have a 1947 martin "The Martin" Alto sax. its in great playing conditon and has great intonation. it was just repadded and theres no leaks and no faults (i've sent it to the shop 4 times this year and no one knows whats wrong with it). the problem is; it takes FOREVER to warm up. it takes like 20-30 minutes of constant longtones and scales before i can play anything lower than A. :space2: but after the time it takes to warm up all the low notes are easily played and they sound wonderful.

anyone know whats wrong with my sax??
i use vandoren ZZ size 3 and 5 with a meyer 5 mpc. i used to use a selmer c*

:banghead: :banghead: :?

 

[ZephyrSax]

Are you sure it's not your reed not being warmed up and moist enough yet...?

 

[Martin Williams]

Yeah, they another reed, maybe a half step lower

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

99.999% sure it's NOT the horn, but the reed as others have mentioned.

 

[jazzbari]

im almost positive its not my reed because I've tried moistening them before I play. (even tried moistening them in a bowl of warm and cool water for a good 30 seconds).

 

[Martin Williams]

You say you had this problem on the Meyer, what about on the C*?

 

[bruce bailey]

Does the neck fit on tightly?

 

[jazzbari]

You say you had this problem on the Meyer, what about on the C*?

yes same problem

 

[Martin Williams]

well then Bruce's question? lol

I really dont know what might cause a horn to take that long to warm up consistantly. Try a softer reed, or a different brand for starters, but get another player to play your horn straight from the case and see if they have it happen as well.

 

[bruce bailey]

I mention the neck as condensation can seal a leak at times. Best way is to take the horn cold to another player and see what happens for him/her.

 

[davevillajr]

I'm no metallurgist (I don't even know if I spelled it correctly) but, could the problem be an ill-fitting neck/body connection?

Could the neck tenon expand "enough" to seal a leak - warmed by only the breath of the player?

Farfetched I'm thinking. But just maybe?

I concur about finding a friend to play your horn "out of the box" to see if the problem is you or the sax.

dv

 

[Swampcabbage]

Sometimes you can also get very small leaks in the soldered joints of the toneholes to the body (unlikely). Or, you may have a pad that's leaking just slightly and is sealing better with the pads. The fact that the repair person has sent this horn home with you and noticed the problem is possibly due to 1) he didn't pla test the horn, 2) he did and it works fine for him (in which case it is you and/or your setup), or 3) he doesn't really care.

If it is one or three then get a new repairman NOW. My "G" tonehole on my alto had to be resoldered and after that it was fine.