[Vince]

I've started playing sax again after a 20+ years break

The G# key on my Alto is sticking. The first play of the day it won't open until I manually free it. After that it often opens late. Eventually it settles down until the next day when it's back to sticking again.

Relearning is hard enough without this little problem.

Any advice would be very welcome.

 

[matty]

Try cleaning the G# pad with water and a q-tip. If that doesn't work try Rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip. If that doesn't work....

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=41304

 

[littlemanbighorn]

I'm a new beleiver in the lighter fluid on a q-tip method. Don't do this near an open flame or while smoking, though.....

 

[Bennyg]

Have a look at this thread or do a forum search for "sticky pads".

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=41304

The beauty of the above thread is that just about every method is mentioned with 10 reasons why it is the best one followed by another 10 why it is the worst one!

 

[jbtsax]

1. Lighter fluid (naptha) on a Q-tip clean both the pad and the tonehole
2. Use Yamaha powered pad papers
3. If the above suggestions don't work---replace the pad

John

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

1. Lighter fluid (naptha) on a Q-tip clean both the pad and the tonehole
2. Use Yamaha powered pad papers
3. If the above suggestions don't work---replace the pad

John

In a nutshell, I agree with Jbtsax.

Sometimes dragging very fine sandpaper under thegently closd pad (sand facing the tone hole) helps, in removing harder deposits and corrosion, if they are present.

 

[Vince]

Thanks guys, my problem is now fixed due to your excellent advice.

Lighter fluid helped a great deal. A piece of greaseproof paper between the pad and the hole and pulled out while holding the pad shut perfected the repair.

 

[saxtek]

I'm in South Florida. The sticky pad problem seems to be worse here than anywhere, maybe because of the humidity, and also maybe because manufacturers seem to be using waterproof pads that tend to stick more.

I agree with the lighter fluid/ charcoal lighter/ Q tip solution. I also like Yamaha powder papers.

For extreme cases (Yamaha and other body octave keys that are "leaned on" by the G key with a fairly heavy spring, and of course G# keys), try this:

Get a sheet of #600 extra fine sandpaper. Scribble on the rough side with a pencil until the paper loads up with graphite from the pencil. cut a strip wide enough to cover the sticky pad.

Slide the sandpaper, graphite side up, under the pad, and apply the graphite to the pad. It turns the pad black, but the pad stops sticking longer than other solutions.

My MYSPACE MUSIC page:

http://www.myspace.com/saxpsychosis