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So, one of my tenors has, since I bought it a few years ago, always really had trouble with anything lower than a E. I could get notes out, but had to really be careful and thoughtful about voicing them otherwise they would crack or just not come out.
I sent this horn to a very respected tech, and it came back playing amazing - EXCEPT - it still had the low-note problems. Slightly better, but certainly still noticeable. Now don't get me wrong, otherwise the quality of this tech's work was great, but I was frustrated by the less-than-perfect results. So much, that I went through the trouble of sending the horn back to him for further tweaking. He was very amicable and helpful, but I still had problems when the horn was returned.
I didn't want to pay another round-trip of shipping to what I was beginning to think was no avail, so I took it to a local tech that was recommended to me. He found a few leaks, and adjusted the horn, and again it was a bit better, but still the problem.
I had pretty much shelved the horn at this point since I had other options, but it really nagged at me as this was otherwise a great sax.
I'd since switched local techs to another fellow that I will name, Scott Manderville, who I'd had do a few adjustments to my other horns and found him to be meticulous, knowledgable, and a great guy to boot. So, on a whim, I took this troubled horn to Scott to have him take a look at. Sure enough, the next day Scott calls me up and tells me that the neck tenon wasn't fitting right, and was leaking like a seive. He described some measurement system for this which I've since forgotten, but described my neck as pretty bad on the scale. He fixed it, and guess what? The problem is gone! It speaks down low like Barry White after a candle-light dinner and some wine.
So, what's the point of this rant? I guess there's a few options depending on how cynical you are, but you could choose from one or more on this list:
- Good techs are hard to find, great ones are even tougher
- Even good, reputable techs miss stuff sometimes
- Sometimes, just like going to the doctor, getting a second or third opinion might be a good idea
- Sometimes it really IS the horn, not you!
- Don't give up on an otherwise good sax that has a couple of quirks
Ah, I feel better now.
Pete
I sent this horn to a very respected tech, and it came back playing amazing - EXCEPT - it still had the low-note problems. Slightly better, but certainly still noticeable. Now don't get me wrong, otherwise the quality of this tech's work was great, but I was frustrated by the less-than-perfect results. So much, that I went through the trouble of sending the horn back to him for further tweaking. He was very amicable and helpful, but I still had problems when the horn was returned.
I didn't want to pay another round-trip of shipping to what I was beginning to think was no avail, so I took it to a local tech that was recommended to me. He found a few leaks, and adjusted the horn, and again it was a bit better, but still the problem.
I had pretty much shelved the horn at this point since I had other options, but it really nagged at me as this was otherwise a great sax.
I'd since switched local techs to another fellow that I will name, Scott Manderville, who I'd had do a few adjustments to my other horns and found him to be meticulous, knowledgable, and a great guy to boot. So, on a whim, I took this troubled horn to Scott to have him take a look at. Sure enough, the next day Scott calls me up and tells me that the neck tenon wasn't fitting right, and was leaking like a seive. He described some measurement system for this which I've since forgotten, but described my neck as pretty bad on the scale. He fixed it, and guess what? The problem is gone! It speaks down low like Barry White after a candle-light dinner and some wine.
So, what's the point of this rant? I guess there's a few options depending on how cynical you are, but you could choose from one or more on this list:
- Good techs are hard to find, great ones are even tougher
- Even good, reputable techs miss stuff sometimes
- Sometimes, just like going to the doctor, getting a second or third opinion might be a good idea
- Sometimes it really IS the horn, not you!
- Don't give up on an otherwise good sax that has a couple of quirks
Ah, I feel better now.
Pete