[Gary59]

I have a Kohlert 709 soprano sax that I picked up cheap. It is a Viet Nam sax, and though it appears well made, it has a significant problem. The lower register keys (right hand) all cause fluttering, motorboating when you play it. The only way to remedy this is to push the mouthpiece (Metalite) in all the way on the cork. Then the horn is way out of tune. Does anyone know of any way to fix this problem, other then making a lamp out of the horn?:dontknow:
Thanks
Gary

 

[Stephen Howard]

Have you checked for leaks?

This article might help: http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/HandyHints/LeakyPads.htm

Regards,

 

[saxmaam]

I've had that happen on a tenor when the mouthpiece was too loose on the cork. IE - there was a leak at that juncture. Solution is new cork. Temporary solution -- wrap some paper around it, then put the mouthpiece on.

 

[Gary59]

Have you checked for leaks?

This article might help: http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/HandyHints/LeakyPads.htm

Regards,

I put a leak light down it, but noticed nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[Gary59]

I've had that happen on a tenor when the mouthpiece was too loose on the cork. IE - there was a leak at that juncture. Solution is new cork. Temporary solution -- wrap some paper around it, then put the mouthpiece on.

The mouthpiece fits snug,but I'll wrap some teflon tape around the cork to see if that helps.

 

[milandro]

it is possible that you need to push the mouthpiece further down, try that while you relax your embouchure, often times people pinch their embouchure so that they bend the notes so much that it looks like they are in tune with a mouthpiece position that is not optimal and if you bring it to the optimal position that is out out tune because your embouchure is too tense.

 

[crashkahuna]

I have same sax and it does play well now after fixing leaks and timing (a high intensity leak light is a lifesaver like the mm nova led light). Have you played soprano a while? When I first took up sop I got those odd sounds too - had to change a lot compared to alto and tenor.

 

[Buck Laughlin]

Your horn may well be in need of some adjusting, but in the meantime, does taking more mouthpiece into your mouth help alleviate the problem? You could also try relaxing your embouchure to see if too much tension is exacerbating the problem.

 

[Dave Dolson]

I agree with all of the above. However, it has been my experience that low end problems may be caused by high-end leaks. In addition to all the other advice, I'd spend some time closely examining all of the interconnected mechanisms to ensure that various tone holes are being completely closed when they are supposed to close. A leak light alone may not catch those issues where the human eye can detect the slightest movement. Look at the G# to see if it is rising even slightly. Look at the bisBb and forked Bb operation, and look to see the octave mechanism is moving - or not. AND, examine all the tone holes to see if some foreign material (like a small hair or dust) maybe on a tone-hole lip. DAVE

 

[Gary59]

Thanks for all the replies! I will check the sax over better. Taking more of the mouthpiece in my mouth doesn't seem to make much difference. I only started playing Soprano a couple months ago. definately different then alto!
Thanks
Gary

 

[kymarto]

It's rather tedious, but checking for pad seating can be done with a thin strip of cigarette paper--insert it in various positions around each tone hole chimney, close the key normally and pull it out. Tension should be equal all around the cup. You might also have a break or uneven spot in the leather of one or more pads, leading to one or more micro leaks. They can add up. If this sop has a removable neck the tenon might be leaking as well.

 

[Gary59]

This horn doesn't have a removable neck-I will recheck the pads and see if there are any nicks on them, or uneven spots. I haven't had this sax for too long, so I am still trying to get used to soprano, which doesn't help matters,I'm afraid-