[Hassles]

My tech is soon to start on the overhaul of my SML Super 44 and has asked if I have any reservations about roo pads. Well I don't, I have them on my Buescher True-Tone alto but...I was trying to think if perhaps there was something er, um, more appropriate for the little Super - Chedville pads perhaps? I am hoping with fingers crossed that a lot of you will share your experiences and views about padding an SML - I don't want to stifle its inherent character but I want it's voice to be known. Resonators? hmm

regards

 

[milandro]

I have had SML padded with metal resonators, they just look nice on period horns. Ideally rivetless domed would be the most time correct type of resonator

I have white kangaroo ( MUsic Medic) pads on my King Super 20 ( which deserved the exta cost ) and have no complaints for years now. I used flat Tenor Madness resonators .

 

[Hassles]

you got pads at one place (looks like China) and Tenor Madness resonators? ?

 

[milandro]

Let me clarify my pads are Music Medic and Tenor Madness flat resonators,

the picture above is simply used to show the KIND (not necessarily the brand) of pads + resonator that I'd use if I were you, not exactly those, but used for illustration purposes

these are the Pisoni Musiccentre high quality and cost pads of the type I'd recommend

https://www.musiccenter.it/en/pad/p...-felt-medium-hard-consistency-sp4-dis35492-f0

 

[Hassles]

I have contacted this company (see below) in view of ordering a set for the Hohner President. A German sax mad friend has had these highly recommended by German sax forum users. His tech was impressed with these pads and I think I will take his advice for the Honher but.....those Pisoni pads I think I will place in the Super 44 - thanks for the recommendation.

https://www.claripad.de/english/

 

[milandro]

Pisoni (Music center ) is certainly the leading pad making company in the world , they aren’t cheap, but they are very good .



I am not familiar with this German company but there is no reason not to think they will be good too.

 

[Hassles]

Milandro

I think I will use the Pisoni (Music center ) for the SML and the others for the Hohner. My technician is not concerned as long as the pads are of quality manufacture so we will see. I am trying to decide upon resonators - to use them or not and if so what size / material - life can be hard some times. With the world in partial lock-down this might delay the Pisoni (Music center ) pad delivery. Previously pads choice I have left to the discretion of my technician but somehow I have found myself taking more interest and a more pro-active approach with regards to these two altos.

 

[milandro]

well the lockdown is not affecting many companies, certainly not (yet) producing factories.

I know first hand that they are working in all manner of factories (in Italy) and for the time being most companies are still shipping everywhere.

Good luck with your horns.

 

[saxoclese]

In my experience both as a tech and a saxophone player there is no particular pad that is best for any individual make or model of saxophone. It should be the player in consultation with the tech who will do the work who decides the quality of pad, the firmness or the felt, the type of pad covering and the style of resonator. It is really a personal choice based upon the cosmetics and budget you have to work with. Firmer pads require flat toneholes and tight key work in order to be seated effectively. The material of the resos whether metal or plastic makes no difference acoustically, however larger or "oversized" resos reflect a bit more of the sound waves slightly reducing the acoustic energy that is lost.

 

[JayeLID]

My tech is soon to start on the overhaul of my SML Super 44 and has asked if I have any reservations about roo pads. Well I don't, I have them on my Buescher True-Tone alto but...I was trying to think if perhaps there was something er, um, more appropriate for the little Super - Chedville pads perhaps? I am hoping with fingers crossed that a lot of you will share your experiences and views about padding an SML - I don't want to stifle its inherent character but I want it's voice to be known. Resonators? hmm

regards

The main thing about Roos....IMHO...is they just settle in and 'feel' quite 'hard' under the fingers.
Some folks like this, to some it doesn't matter, and some dislike this.
I am in the latter camp, they don't 'feel' good to me.
So...IF you haven't had a horn padded with them before, or aren't familiar with a horn which has 'em, that would be my 'caveat' on Roos.
If you are familiar with 'em and like 'em...then why not ?

In my experience both as a tech and a saxophone player there is no particular pad that is best for any individual make or model of saxophone. It should be the player in consultation with the tech who will do the work who decides the quality of pad, the firmness or the felt, the type of pad covering and the style of resonator. It is really a personal choice based upon the cosmetics and budget you have to work with. Firmer pads require flat toneholes and tight key work in order to be seated effectively. The material of the resos whether metal or plastic makes no difference acoustically, however larger or "oversized" resos reflect a bit more of the sound waves slightly reducing the acoustic energy that is lost.

Here, Here !

(Hear, Hear !)

I am always puzzled by conversations about choosing the 'appropriate' pad for a particular model or make of horn. I find those convos a bit silly, IOW.

Granted I understand that some folks want to do some sort of historically correct choice...but quite honestly, to suggest that the originally outfitted pads of a vintage model were carefully chosen via extensive R&D and the decision on the stock pads reached to bring out the best in the horn, or anything like that...is quite a reach (not saying OP is saying this, BTW).

Providing you go with a good quality pad, you are not doing yourself nor your model of horn any sort of 'disservice' by choosing this pad over that one, this style reso over that one, etc....

 

[Hassles]

Saxoclese / JayeLID - I agree with you both. I have roo pads on my Buescher True-Tone alto (a Phil Noy overhaul) without complaint. I have discussed both pads sets, along with those from Chedville, Music Medic and Steve Goodson with my technician Paul - who has used them all. Paul is happy with any choice I make providing the pads are of good quality. The pads being discussed here he has not yet encountered. Having these highly recommended to me provides additional choices. Should either pad sets, upon arrival, be deemed as inferior to those Paul is currently using we can make a choice then - we have options. Paul and I have discussed firmness and whether to employ resonators or not. He and I will speak tomorrow. I have contacted both pad suppliers and await a response. I am leaning towards medium density leather and pondering resonators. No resos for the Hohner however.

 

[Hassles]

Aesthetics I guess is another issue - those old original red pad on Dolnets I think are awesome much like the green pads of some Ida Maria Grassi saxes. I don't much like black as a pad colour. White can look gorgeous too initially.

 

[milandro]

the green and red pads were certainly a way to make your product stand out. I have been told that when Grassi closed the company there were a lot of green hides kept and which stayed unsold.

2 years ago the council of Quarna Sotto and other people bought the Grassi factory building , they want to make a cultural center out of that. They cleaned the premises so that has gone too.

This were the left over machinery (now gone)

 

[Hassles]

the green and red pads were certainly a way to make your product stand out. I have been told that when Grassi closed the company there were a lot of green hides kept and which stayed unsold.

2 years ago the council of Quarna Sotto and other people bought the Grassi factory building , they want to make a cultural center out of that. They cleaned the premises so that has gone too.

This were the left over machinery (now gone)

Grassi were making their own pads? hmm, well who else was gonna' make green pads me thinks. I would love maroon pads!!!

 

[milandro]

I think that making their own pads was very normal at the time when Grassi started their operation 1960.

you can make your own pads , see the beginning of this video

 

[Hassles]

Milandro - yes - I have seen this video previously - thanks for the link, appreciated. Dying leather and making my own pads is not beyond the realms of reason but....just too many other things to do which need doing. I really need another workshop / workroom - space - which is another obstacle!

 

[Hassles]

Furthermore to this discussion and while we are on the subject. I have been in communications with a local tannery (vacel.com.au) who specialise in Kangaroo hides. They produce hides which vary in thickness by 0.2 - 0.3mm across the hide. Leather density eg: soft, medium or firm is determined by the tanning process. Hides are dyed numerous colours. Note: I do not think these hides are treated for waterproofing. So.....I then contacted the pad maker in Italy asking if they would make pad sets if I supplied the hide - I await a response. I shall no doubt contact other makers asking similar - stay tuned.

 

[Hassles]

OK first response is in - from German pad maker www.claripad.de

yes, the pad manufacturer is happy to make a pad set from a hide supplied BUT....hide thickness needs to be 0.5mm. Costs are 150 Euros plus shipping.

I am now re-communicating with the tannery to determine general hide thickness. Considering a single hide could 'potentially' produced more than one set - any areas of the hide with a less than ideal density / thickness could be discarded.

Vacel have a gorgeous red, lovely blue and a green just perfect for Grassi me thinks

 

[milandro]

I am not sure that Pisoni would take one order for one set of pads, they are a lather large operation.

I think you make more chances with Music Medic

 

[Hassles]

I am not sure that Pisoni would take one order for one set of pads, they are a lather large operation.

I think you make more chances with Music Medic

I have just received a response from the Italians who have respectfully directed me to their on-line ordering pages.