[jim schmidt]

Once your pads are well leveled on the toneholes.

Instead of depending on a leak light and guessing at the necessary over-adjustment for keys that are linked together. Play a low Bb subtone with the keys lightly/moderately closed and have a helper press down on the regulated cups one at a time. If you notice the tone improve when a particular cup is pressed then you know that cup needs to be adjusted and often it will need to be over adjusted.

Also – Gold pads can create more tone and resonance to the point that your palm keys may vibrate off the toneholes when playing loud - again - have a helper add a little pressure to each palm key cup one at a time to see if there is a tone improvement – if so then increase the closing spring pressure.

 

[saxoclese]

By "over-adjustment" I am assuming you mean that the secondary key closes slightly before the primary key in the pattern. I find this "compromise" sometimes necessary when doing a "play condition" where due to economic restraints I have little or no control over all of the "components" such as key fitting, materials, quality of pads, flatness of toneholes, spring tension and flexibility of keys. When doing a mechanical overhaul where I can control all of these factors except perhaps the hardness of the brass, I find it seldom necessary to compromise or "over-adjust". A bright leaklight in a pitch dark room is my first choice when padding and regulating saxophones since I don't have a "helper".

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

Likewise me.

 

[clarnibass]

...since I don't have a "helper".

I have an imaginary helper.

 

[SuperAction80]

Interesting post, and noted.

 

[KennyZ]

Rizla for final adjustments

 

[AntPea]

Very interesting post. Leaks in the palm keys can cause wobbly/unstable subtoning in the low notes.

 

[whaler]

I’ve done this using corks to hold down the low notes to free up fingers to push on suspect areas.