In a nutshell, it means making adjustments to the instrument to make it play as well as possible.

This could include but is not limited to: eliminating leaks, adjusting the heights of keys to improve action and intonation, lubricating keywork, adjusting freeplay in double acting mechanism, lapping in the neck tenon etc...

The main things you would need to communicate to your tech are any playing or intonation issues that you have noticed. These could be described in laymens terms. "The G is stuffy", "It's hard to get the low notes to come out", "the side C key makes noise", stuff like that. Write it down all the things you need resolved before you go in so you don't forget some important piece.

If your new horn is purchased from a music shop it should have a basic set up before you get it and some sort of "honeymoon" period for you to bring it back for minor tweaking if there are any glaring issues.

 

"Set-up" seems to mean different things to different people in this forum. I'll give you my use of the term and then others can chime in. To me set-up refers to when the instrument is leak free and in good adjustment and the tech makes adjustments to improve upon the condition of the sax as it came out of the factory.

A set-up could include:
-adjusting to key heights to voice the notes better or speed up the action,
-adjusting the springs to the player's liking,
-adding key risers or bending keys to better fit the players hands
-adding teflon or other friction reducing materials
-putting crescents in toneholes to adjust intonation
-changing to different pads or resonators for a different "feel" or color of sound

Some people use the term "set-up" to describe what I call a "play condition" which means to fix any leaks and to adjust and regulate the keys. Of course some brands of saxes often need a "play condition" right out of the factory due to poor adjustment at the point of assembly, materials settling in, or bent keys during rough transit.

John

 

when I got my 54 alto it played great but the springs were a bit too tense. It made the action to slow. I had my repair guy lighten the springs so that the action was faster and I didn't have to work so hard. My sax also has a low C gurgle with certain mouthpieces although with the mouthpiece I have now it doesn't happen. you might want to make sure your's doesn't have this problem. Also the neck was too l loose in the socket so I had to have that fixed. Cograts. these are great horns. steve

 

Some refer to the selection of mouthpiece, reed, and Ligature as their "setup".

 

I would say if you "have your horn set up" it would mean the adjustments to the horn. If you say "what is your set-up?" I would say that means horn, mouthpiece, lig, reed, etc.

 

'Setup' in the text your placing - means "overhaul." Like a tune-up for your car. Key adjustments, fresh pads, springs, corking, check for leaks... etc.

 

Right now I have my alto set up on the table!

 

So in short, if nothing feels wrong with the horn then it is not in need of any adjustments? Or is it even possible to know if your horn is at it's best (for you)?

Thanks for all the replies.

 

If it's fine don't try to fix it I guess haha. If you think somethings wrong ask a tech to take a look at it, most will do that for free and tell you what it needs.

 

To test for adjustment problems, play chromatic scales and note where the horn seems to get a greater resistance. Check 1+1 Bb, F#,C, B and any place where one key moves another. For pads that are normally closed, have an assistant push on these while you play to see if they need adjustment.