[clarnibass]

Hi

I just got a sax here with a strange problem (or not a problem). It is not a great sax and with a light touch it has leaks. The thing is, with every other sax I remember that had leaks with a light touch, those leaks disapeared when pressing strong on the key. With this sax, pressing strong still leaves a tiny line of light that is only visible in almost completely dark. If I press the key even harder, and I see the key move, that line of light is still there. It is like this on almost every key, but not always all the way around. I checked the tone hole edge and it is smooth. I chekced the pads and they don't seem to be rough (though this would probably not matter if I pressed so hard). I'm guessing maybe the pads are less light proof than other pads, maybe because of their colour or maybe so porous but the saxophone actually plays great. Every note including all the low notes pop out very easy.

Ha...?

Thanks!

 

[MusicMedic]

It sounds to me like there is lacquer on the tone holes. Try removing the lacquer on the tone holes with some 800 grit sand paper on a tone hole file.

 

[clarnibass]

Baaah..... Yes... Lacquer is transparent.... I actually noticed it looked like it has lacquer on the tone holes but somehow didn't think that could be the problem... I think this calls for this smilie... :banghead:

Thanks Curt!

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

I find it a nuisance when adjusting student Yamahas.

 

[dzve]

Music medic is right on the mark, it took me a while to figure this out when I first experienced a similar situation, you can remove the laquer or do you leave it if its playing well, how long will it take for the laquer to wear off and cause problems?

 

[jbtsax]

If I don't have the time to remove the key and "dress" the tonehole, I will check those areas with a feeler gauge and move on.

John

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

Likewise me.

 

[abadcliche]

Blast you, YAS-23!

 

[jbtsax]

The real question is:

Does the layer of lacquer on top of the tonehole have any effect on the way the saxophone sounds?

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

For sure. It adds to the height of the chimney.

However that effect is so small as to be irrelevant.