[JoAnnPeeler]

When I first received my Yany AWO10 it needed some adjustment, but since it had been 10-12 years or so since I last played I didn't know how much of the problems was the horn and how much was me. I had to find a new horn tech since the one I had used previously (do any of you guys remember Saul Fromkin?) had passed. This new guy was recommended by Facebook (I know don't ridicule) was a little sketchy. Anyways after he adjusted my horn I still noticed that low B/Bb were still very hard to play. (I know, every player has at least some problem with those notes, right?) but when I asked him to play my horn he didn't seem to have any problems. Of course he played several dB louder than I do. So I chalked it up to my out of practice chops. To make a long story short (sorry) after 6 months of practice those notes are still very hard to play. I can sometime slur down to them or if I really blow hard I can honk them out. So today I decided to shine a flashlight down my horn to see if I could see any leaks and I found that the low C# pad was not sealing! In fact the key cup was not even close to being centered over the tone hole so the tone hole was no longer seating! Maybe I did something to it since it was worked on, but since I have never had much luck with low B/Bb I'm assuming it was this way the entire time. Luckily, I have a new horn tech and I'm going to take it to him tomorrow. The best part of this story is that maybe, just possibly I don't suck as much as I thought I did.

 

[JayeLID]

Could have been the tech ...or could have been the C# got knocked sometime between then and now. C# keys are pretty 'exposed' to that sorta thang. Anyways, glad you found the problem and I'd imagine it will become much easier once the work is done...

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Could have been the tech ...or could have been the C# got knocked sometime between then and now. C# keys are pretty 'exposed' to that sorta thang. Anyways, glad you found the problem and I'd imagine it will become much easier once the work is done...

Maybe something happened to it, but because I've only been practicing inside my home and it has never left my control I have my doubts. Not unless my religious use of Key Leaves somehow managed to bend the C# key cup lever. Of course I'm more elated about being able to blame the horn. At least until I get it back from the horn tech.

 

[saxoclese]

Now that you have stuck your toe in the water, you should invest in a "proper" leak light and continue to monitor your saxophone. Over time you might even learn to make small adjustments yourself. Even saxes that start out in good adjustment and are well cared for can develop changes over time which can gradually effect how they play and responds. After all we are dealing with a relatively soft metal (brass), leather, felt, cork, and cardboard. I recommend to my customers that they bring their saxophones in every 6 to 12 months for a no cost check-up. Sometimes small issues can be taken care of before they turn into bigger problems, and I really like the feedback of how my work is "holding up" over time.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Now that you have stuck your toe in the water, you should invest in a "proper" leak light and continue to monitor your saxophone.

I'm thinking about biting the bullet and buying the Music Medic Saxophone Repair Kit. Looks like that's a good place to start and gives me more than just a leak light.

 

[PigSquealer]

I'm thinking about biting the bullet and buying the Music Medic Saxophone Repair Kit. Looks like that's a good place to start and gives me more than just a leak light.

That's a nice kit for the unexpected repair or occasional fix. Especially if your tech is not local.

 

[Isle of Jazz]

(do any of you guys remember Saul Fromkin?)

Just want to mention that last December I bought a Series 9 bass clarinet, as is, from SaxQuest and had it shipped directly to my tech. A few weeks later it was done and I drove down to pick it up and stuffed inside the old case was an invoice from Sol, from 1982, back when he had a shop on Music Row in NYC. He installed a floor peg on the instrument, did a few other little things - the bill was for $42! (I'm really enjoying the Rousseau NC4, by the way - it's more versatile than I'd have guessed.)

 

[B Flat]

The Music medic kit is definitely a handy thing to have.
I’d also get some additional tools to go with it though.
And don’t waste your money on their rope lights.

 

[Grumps]

… and I found that the low C# pad was not sealing! In fact the key cup was not even close to being centered over the tone hole so the tone hole was no longer seating! Maybe I did something to it since it was worked on, but since I have never had much luck with low B/Bb I'm assuming it was this way the entire time. Luckily, I have a new horn tech and I'm going to take it to him tomorrow.

Might have been a good time to see if you could fix it yourself. I mean, wasn't it you that opened up the thread about adjusting your own horns?

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Might have been a good time to see if you could fix it yourself. I mean, wasn't it you that opened up the thread about adjusting your own horns?

It was, and I appreciate the sentiment. However, it looks like the key might need to be precisely bent so that its a little closer to center. That, or perhaps the pad needs to be replaced and reseated. Neither of those things do I feel comfortable with yet.

Baby steps for now.

 

[Grumps]

Understood. Maybe I should have found a new tech rather than do some emergency repairs on my soprano this past weekend. The horn ended up playing fine, but oh my fingers...

 

[bvandrasik]

FYI: The pad does not necessarily need to be exactly centered over the tone hole. If it looks like the indentation on the pad (centered or not) does not line up with the tone hole, the key probably took a knock.

 

[saxoclese]

I'm thinking about biting the bullet and buying the Music Medic Saxophone Repair Kit. Looks like that's a good place to start and gives me more than just a leak light.

That looks like a good place to start. You just need to be aware that the odds of any of those pads or springs being the size you need are not that good, but those can always be ordered individually.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

FYI: The pad does not necessarily need to be exactly centered over the tone hole. If it looks like the indentation on the pad (centered or not) does not line up with the tone hole, the key probably took a knock.

No, it doesn't line up and that's the problem. However, I can't believe the key is so out of center. IMO the seat is too close (1-2 mm) to one of the edges to be reliable, but what do I know?

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

That looks like a good place to start. You just need to be aware that the odds of any of those pads or springs being the size you need are not that good, but those can always be ordered individually.

I assume that I won't be able to use everything, but I like the idea that I get an instruction book on hose to use the provided kit. Of course I doubt I'll ever be comfortable enough to fire up the little torch it comes with.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Just want to mention that last December I bought a Series 9 bass clarinet, as is, from SaxQuest and had it shipped directly to my tech. A few weeks later it was done and I drove down to pick it up and stuffed inside the old case was an invoice from Sol, from 1982, back when he had a shop on Music Row in NYC. He installed a floor peg on the instrument, did a few other little things - the bill was for $42! (I'm really enjoying the Rousseau NC4, by the way - it's more versatile than I'd have guessed.)

Saul was a great guy. I only met him after he was retired and often he worked on my horns for free. I think he was just looking for an excuse to get out to his shop. Later I turned over my horns to his local proteges when his health started to deteriorate. But I still have an old repair ticket from him on an Antigua soprano he worked on. I can't bring myself to remove it.

BTW, I'm happy you are liking the NC4. I'm always curious about how the buyer likes (or doesn't) anything I sell. I don't have any reputation on the line or anything, but I would feel slightly guilty if for any reason it didn't arrive as advertised. Good luck!