[studs]

I've got an old alto that I used to play in the band. I haven't played the thing in over 10 years and took it out the other day to give it a shot. The octave key sticks whenever I push it. I have to push it pretty hard, and when it finally opens it stays open and doesn't go down unless I pull it shut.

I remember I took some of those corks off a long time ago and figured that might have something to do with it.

Couple of questions:

1. Approx. how much would it cost to get it fixed?
2. Is it possible to put more wind through the instrument to hit a higher octave similar to hitting higher notes on brass instruments?

Thanks,
Yohan

 

[Dave Dolson]

Yohan: I doubt if missing corks would make a difference in what you described. Make sure the horn's neck is properly affixed to the body and that the connections are in place. Make sure the octave lever that sticks up at the neck is under the upper octave ring and not bent.

I'd look to see if any springs have come off their hooks or are missing.

I'd check to see if either octave vent is stuck closed (especially the lower one - the one that opens when you finger G2 and the octave touch . . . and that both octave vents (upper and lower) are completely opening and closing appropriately.

If your embouchure is sufficiently developed (and I assume it isn't from your description), you could play either octave without using the octave mechanism, but using that mechanism makes the notes respond more quickly and cleanly (in most cases).

Lastly, a repair-tech could probably quickly solve your problem and not charge too much. DAVE

 

[jbtsax]

Sounds to me like a bent rod in the octave mechanism or a rusted/corroded rod.

Take the neck off and finger G with the thumb octave key pressed. With your free hand try to move the post that extends past the end of the sax that engages the neck octave ring. It should move very easily up and down.

If it is stiff or hard to move then the above diagnosis is correct. If it is just rust or corrosion you could take the mechanism off and clean the rod with 000 steel wood and the inside of the hinge tubes with key oil and a pipe cleaner and then reassemble.

If it still binds after that you probably have some bent keys which would require professional skill. Good luck.

 

[studs]

Dave and JB, thanks for the help. Seems like my rods are bent. Because I haven't fooled w/a sax in a while, I'll probably just drop er off at the music shop and have them take a look at it.

The best way I can explain it is the little "hook" that slides around the rod that comes up from the octave key that i push w/my thumb isn't parallel w/the ground--if that makes any sense.