[bigbari62]

Hey all i'm Daniel and I have a yas 62

i've being playing some really good saxes recently like some mark 6's and selmer super action series 80s etc.

what i was wondering is that is it possible to get my pearl/gloss keys to feel worn and that feeling of roughness not like the new state mine are in (new glossy and slippery) besides playing it for 148 years (polishing it down or something??)

its hard to explain and i guess it sounds pretty stupid but i really like that feel/ing under my fingers...

hmmm.......

 

[DougR]

This might sound dim but; what age is your 62?
The 62 series had mother-of-pearl keytouches (same as selmenr etc) up to about 1999/2000 - after that they are plastic, and to get real shell you need to buy the custom (8 series) horns or an older one...

 

[bigbari62]

mines pretty new like 04/05

how much do the real ones cost?
or is there another way?

 

[davevillajr]

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT - REPEAT - NOT RECOMMENDED!!!

YOU SHOULD PROBABLY NOT ATTEMPT THIS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSANCES!!!

however, you could try some really fine, fine, superfine grade sandpaper, like 1000 grit and up, tear off a little piece, and carefully, carefully rub the "pearl" touches to wear them in.

 

[bigbari62]

are my keys actually pearl? and has anyone ever tried sanding them?

 

[shmuelyosef]

Regardless of whether plastic or pearl, you can use sandpaper to shape, roughen or clean lacquer off of 'pearls'.

I use 600, 1000 and 2000 wet-dry paper (you can get at any pro paint shop or auto body supply). I use isopropyl as a lubricant (and for dust control). I wet the paper and start with 600 to shape and get the pearl uniform...then I take out the 600 scratches with the 1000 (also wet with IPA) and then the 2000. I like my pearls very smooth (I think you get more 'traction' with smooth if it's a real pearl or you can leave it at 1000 grit), so I finish off with some Wenol polish. Makes even real old pearls look and feel like new. For chipped or badly worn pearls I have started with as low as 320 grit, but pearls (plastic or MOP) sand away pretty fast at this grit, so you need to pay close attention.

jeff

 

[Rowka]

Or you can just play it. A lot.

 

[shmuelyosef]

Just as backdrop, I started the sanding routine when confronted with older horns that had been relacquered without masking the pearls. This is a very effective way to get the lacquer off the pearls and leave a nice surface without damaging the lacquer on the rest of the key...