Granted.
- The actual review portion of the video begins at 2:00. Personally, I greatly appreciate review videos that get to the point immediately. Others may have different preferences.
- The adjustable end cap is a clever idea, but it might be helpful to disclose what type of horn-case combo you are using. I get nice, snug fits with my saxes in their stock cases. I suspect that loose fits may be mostly an issue with aftermarket cases, which of course are not designed to fit a specific sax model down to the millimeter.
- My concern about Key Leaves is that they seem to address the wrong end of the saxophone. My biggest problem with sticky pads, by far, is with the small pad on the body octave vent. After that, the problem areas are the palm keys, the high F#, and the RH side keys. Obviously, the higher up on the stack we go, the more my pads get exposed to moisture, so the more they stick. I can see paying attention to the G# pad, but the bell keys? For me, this tool is a solution aimed at the wrong problem.
Hi LostConn,
Your concern about sticky sax palm keys and high sax pads rotting out is a very good concern. That's why Key Leaves custom fits the Vent Vine for alto and tenor sax. It safely opens all the pads from high palm D up without touching pad leather. Normally everything above the left hand stack is closed to rot and then plugged shut with an end cap/plug. The Vent Vine keep all those pads open and healthy longer, totally prevents sticky pads there, and reduces repair and risk of metal corrosion from rotten high pads etc. Pair the Vent Vine with a GapCap and you get more airflow to help air dry the top of the sax. See
https://KeyLeaves.com/VentVine for info and to place your custom fit. Or you can have Sax.co.uk or Meridian Winds custom fit your sax. They are Key Leaves Custom Shops.
The big advantages of the GapCap is that it will fit any make/model sax and any make/model case. So you can keep this one plug with the sax at all times and it will work in whatever situation you need. For example, some of the military band players and players who tour heavily have to swap cases depending on the show/tour. So having a GapCap they can bring with the sax and adjust to the case is a huge benefit. Plus the flex wall design of the GapCap allows it to shock absorb impact force from case drops/hits that would otherwise transfer directly through the hard end plug and into the sax body tube. Bent sax body or key rods is a major headache and repair concern.
https://KeyLeaves.com/GapCap has a video showing more on this.
Thanks for sharing your good comments and concerns.
- Rulon
