[Chris Peryagh]

Measure the thickness of the old pads and see which new pads are the nearest thickness to them, then choose new ones that are either the same thickness or slightly thinner. Most pad makers or suppliers will state the thickness their pads are.

 

[Chris Peryagh]

Firm or soft pads will still feel firm or soft under the fingers regardless what the thickness of the tonehole rim is. The important factor is the pads seat properly onto them no mater if they're drawn (which most are), drawn and rolled (as on Conns and Mauriats), soft soldered (as on Martins), hard soldered (as on SMLs) or drawn with a ring soldered to them to look like rolled toneholes (as on Keilwerths).

Poorly seated pads will feel spongy no matter if they're firm or soft as one side will close before the rest of the pad gets squeezed closed. Pads should close using light finger pressure - not forced to close under heavy finger pressure.

The choice of density is up to you - if you prefer soft pads then choose them, or choose firm pads if that's what you like, but do get them seated properly all the same so you're not having to close them with a vice-like grip.

What you don't want are pads that are so soft the toneholes make deep impressions in them, so choose firm pads to be on the safe side - even on Martins with thick tonehole rims.

 

[Chris Peryagh]

You could order RooPads and specify the maximum and minimum diameters of the resos you want in each pad.

 

[Chris Peryagh]

Yeah - you'd have to settle with which diameter reso is best from the existing sizes they have, so give the maximum size for each reso and the nearest size reso (without going over the maximum diameter you specify) can be fitted to each pad.

I ordered a set of pads for an SML bari where the Bb bis key pad cup is very large in comparison to the actual tonehole diameter, so specified the pad diameter and also the maximum diameter of the reso so it sat well within the tonehole.

 

[Chris Peryagh]

Contact MusicMedic with the details of what you need (all the pad diameters with the maximum resonator diameter for each pad). You'll have the choice of RooPads (white), Saxgourmet (black) and Precision (brown) and all manner of resonator styles. My personal favorite resonators being the seamless domed metal ones as they don't have a rivet through the centre and they're chrome plated brass so they won't rust.

 

[Chris Peryagh]

If you order the set of pads you want with the resos you want, then drop them a message ('Contact Us' in the 'Help' section) relating to the pad order (quoting the order number) specifying the maximum diameters of the resos you want fitted in each pad. That's what I did when ordering the SML bari pads as it was important the bis key pad had the correct diameter reso fitted.

I like the Saxgourmet pads (the black ones) as they're firm, as are the Precision pads. The white RooPads do seem to be a bit softer than the others.