[Mando]

My alto sax (YAS - 23), which I bought secondhand, has a raised section of cork at the end. See pic if I'm successful at posting. I'm curious why the raised part? Would it be simply from compression by the mouthpiece? A "factory" installation by Yamaha? Re-corking videos show nothing like this, and my tenor's cork has no such ridge. Curious why.

 

[Dr G]

Rather than properly sizing the cork, someone has been jamming the mouthpiece on the cork. That ridge will also prevent you from moving the mouthpiece any further on the cork, if you need to adjust tuning in that direction.

Protect the finish with some masking tape, then sand down the cork to creat a cylinder (vs cone). Then grease and go!

 

[turf3]

Or just shave it down with a single edge razpr blade till it matches the rest. It doesn't have to be exact.

 

[CJ1972]

You may find that a mouthpiece is loose on that. As it’s such an easy job, I would replace it personally. Even if you get a tech to do it, it will be very cheap to get done.

 

[Bari Sax Guy]

I'd have it replaced. Around here it's $25.00 Then use a syth cork grease like Alysin or better the Honda syth lube
suggested by another SOTW member in a recent cork grease discussion. The synth grease helps keep the corks from compressing.

 

[turf3]

Why would you recommend replacing it, unless you know the OP's preferred mouthpiece is loose on it?

I have had horns where I didn't replace the neck cork for 20 years at a time. For that matter, I've gone years at a time wrapping a gas receipt around the cork.

Paying someone to do (possibly unnecessary) work shouldn't be your instant default.

 

[Mando]

Thanks for your explanations. Actually, the mouthpiece fits fine, and since tuning isn’t an issue (yet....), I can just butt the mp up against the raised part and practice/play/let-the-fun-begin. I have ordered some sheet cork from Music Medic to recork my tenor, which truly needs it. If that goes well and some cork is left, I might recork the alto, but I’d rather be playing it.

 

[saxoclese]

It looks to me as if someone left the mouthpiece on the neck cork for an extended length of time. I would also suggest sanding it to match the rest for "looks" and just in case you need to perform in a cold environment.

 

[swperry1]

It looks a little rotted. If not, I agree, no need to change it if it’s a good fit with the mouthpiece you use.

 

[Bkenes]

No need to replace it as some suggests. The important thing is that it's a good fit. Just sand it down, if you want. Or leave it as is, if you only play inside and the temperature is stable.