[saxmsy]

I have this G2, G#2 issue on my SA80-II for a while and would like to ask if anyone knows the root cause. Simply put, usually after 15 to 20 minutes warm up playing, the G2 tend to speak a sound mixed of G2 and G1 (mixed with the note one octave lower), and same issue goes for G#2. I did some search and found that it could be spit accumulated at the octave pipe hole. I think it may make sense as I did some test: when the issue occurs, I swab the horn and neck, wipe the mouthpiece and play again, then the issue will be largely alleviated. Or, I can also do a strong tonguing (something like spitting) on G2 note a few times, then when I play G2 and G2#, it will turn better, but only temporarily.


I did mention this issue to different techs during the service time, and all of them didn't experience the issue when they test play my horn, and therefore they could not find the cause for it either (apparently they would not play my horn like 20 minutes awaiting for the issue). Therefore I suspect that it could be the octave hole on body is smaller than standard size, and when spit is accumulated around the hole, the G2 and G#2 notes will be affected.

 

[bruce bailey]

It sounds like the octave pip on the body that opens for D2 up to G#2. Possibly water on the pad, plugged hole, weak spring on that key, sticking pad, etc. I would take that key off and swab out the hole and clean the pad a bit.

 

[pknight]

Occasionally I have had similar (not identical) issues to what you describe, and have cleared moisture from the octave pip on the neck by holding the key open and blowing firmly across the pip a few times. This seems to work well, and does not require dismantling the sax.

 

[KeithL]

I owned a SA 80 Series II alto for several years and had this problem. For many players the body octave vent is not large enough and needs to be drilled out. I had mine done about two years after I got the horn after I went through the trouble of sending it back to Selmer who kept it for months and told me the "vent was within spec". There were a few threads here at SOTW and other forums discussing this many years ago. It's a fairly well known issue to techs that have been around a long time. Randy Jones at Tenor Madness and Mark Rakita at USA Horn are two that have done this on many modern Selmers. I found it was usually most apparent when approaching the G2 or G#2 from below especially intervals from below D2 where the vent isn't already open.

Here's one of the old threads;
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...mer-G-2-problems-Help-Please!&highlight=drill

 

[saxmsy]

Thanks everyone for the valuable advices and information! It is pretty clear to me now what causes the issues.

 

[Guto]

I had a similar on a soprano and found some build up in the octave pip from years of playing was the culprit. Cleaning it up with vinegar and water resolved it.