[kaplac]

Ok guys, some help here.

My brother bought this alto sax I've been playing for several years now. And he played it back in High school too. He's 12 years older then me, so that puts this sax at about 11 years old.

Its been put through the toils of marching band, and overall neglect over the years. Its a 52 and bought sometime around '96 I think.

Now, onto my problem. I recently had this sax set up, and I mean fully adjusted acid bathed and the whole shebang. This was back in about august, but now my sax seems to be falling apart again! some of the mechanisms are comign out of adjustment, the pads are ripping up, and its just gross playing again.

So, is it normal for yamahas to start falling apart about now?

p.s. I'd like to add that I babied this thing to heck. Practically tucking it in my bed every night and sleepign on my floor babying.

I feel so betrayed

 

[TenTenTooter]

Pads ripping up just after a setup? Sounds like you need a new repair technician. Yamaha's are pretty reliable once well set up.

 

[saxobari]

Kaplac,read your statement,first what did your repairman have to say about that?He must have some kind od warrenty If he did changed all the pads,and there is absolutely something strange going on here,pads falling out! The tech that did your work needs to be told,and he should fixe that horn free of charge!I am not sure ,If he did an overhaul,,If he did,then at least many months of free check ups!The horn should stay find,Yamahas,are very reliable horns,and stay adjusted for a very long time! My soprano has not been touch by about a year and still plays beautifully! I am sure your tech should fixe that,or better,find a competent tech that will fixe it once and for all right!
It is not because of the brand,,more because of a bad tech in my opinion!
I wish you the best of luck!Bring it to a proffessional shop first!
All the best
Saxobari

 

[kaplac]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I live in a pretty small area, and there aren't a lot of "good" techs.

I've been going to this tech since I started sax anout 6 years ago. He was probably one of the better techs in the portland/vancouver area.

But there probably weren't any warantees I think. And this guy is pretty hard to reach, I normally just drop the sax off at the store and he'll call me up in a couple weeks. But I've been noticing alot of shoddy work from him. He was fixing up a repair on my alto neck, and the octave pipe was leaking so he soldered it back on, but it just looks plain ugly. And all the solder is starting to crack now and I think it may be falling off soon...again.

But I'll be sure to look for a new tech. Do there happen to be like freelancer sax repairmen? That don't particularly work for a store, but may be associated with several that send them saxes beyond storefront repair? I think I might have a bit more luck with someone like them since the major store techs don't seem to help much..

 

[TenTenTooter]

I work through a music store but do some freelance stuff on the side to help out with cash. I'm not in the Portland/Vancouver area, but if you don't have any other luck I'd be willing to give you a good deal on reapirs. Got to help a fellow SOTW'er in need!

Just let me know,
-Scott

 

[shmuelyosef]

Sarge at Worldwide Sax is in Bellingham, washington I think, and his shop is one of the best in the country...

http://www.worldwidesax.com/

 

[asaxman]

Yamaha horns are built well! Take it to someone else!

 

[tonyg]

I second taking it to Sarge at www, he's a good tech and a very nice guy. I had him overhaul a tenor and setup a new alto a couple of years ago. I also know of a good tech down in Eugene, let me know if your interested.

 

[Migraine777]

Sarge is probably the closest to you geographically and I've never heard anything bad about him or justin or anyone involved with worldwide.

I personally send me horns to Curt at MusicMedic....he's way the hell away from you, and me for that matter, but I like his more scientific approach to what he's doing. He studies horns, writes things down, works out how it can be achieved, very systematic and to me that's the best way. =)

If the pads tear it's almost ALWAYS due to a bad tonehole job or you soaking them somehow....I'd worry about the tech as well.....


-Pat

 

[kaplac]

Yeah thanks for the replies.

As much as I would really love to sent my sax out to a very well known tech out a hundred or so miles from me. I really don't know if I can or want to ship off my sax. I'm still in high shcool, so I'm still under the legal custody of my parents who wouldn't like me shipping off my sax to a "stranger"

So As much as I'd hate to say it I think shipping my sax to Sarge is out of the list of options. But Does anyone know of the tech at the Battleground Washington store Music World? I think she may be better then the current tech I go to. I just did a search on some crazy website NABSIR or something or other, and I guess its a large organization of techs around the country. And she was listed in there. So I guess I'll give her a try.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help guys!! I really like these forums. Everyone is nice and courteous, as well as containing heaps and heaps of invalvuable information that every saxophonist should know.

 

[Hotspur]

yeah yamahas once repaired by a professional will usually stay together for a while.

 

[saxobari]

Tech and repairs

kaplac,If I your parents will not agree to ship,then I can understand them in a way,being a parent myself! Though,take an apointment to the best and nearest tech you can get and even travelling a hundred miles to go,is worth it,,maybe a two houres drive to go,then to come back,but for a day time of spending to have your horn really working good will be worth your while and time!Hope that you can find the right guy to fixe that tenor!
Personaly everytime I have to haver my horns looked at ,I do have to travel minimum 1.15 minutes just to go,so I buy my reeds and stuff at the same time,over here not even a single reed can be find except in private schools!
So I am about in the same boat as you,but I guess much older then you,so I go whenever I please to go!
I am sure there will be a solution for you!
All the best,
Saxobari

 

[Gbelair]

Kaplac,

Take your horn to Eastside Music in Gresham, just accross the river. The tech there is a good sax player and he knows his stuff, He has rescued by Mk VI on more than one occassion. I having a senior moment here but I believe his name is John.

He's a straight shooter and will get it set up right.

 

[jbtsax]

A "set-up" and "acid bathed" aren't necessarily the same as a repad. I have no idea what "the whole shebang" means either. If the sax is 11 or 12 years old and has been used extensively, especially outdoors in marching and pep band, there is a good chance that the pads need to be replaced. If over $300 was spent in August it was probably a repad. If $100 or less was spent it was probably a body clean and regulate and adjust service.

Quality pads that are well installed and cared for can give 15 - 20 years of reliable service. Most instruments even when played and treated carefully can benefit from an "adjust and regulate" service every 6 months to a year.

I would not send a sax to someone of Sarge's caliber for a simple regulate and adjust, since lots of tech's can do that well. If a total repad and mechanical overhaul is needed to bring the instrument back to playability, then that is another matter altogether. In that case go for the best you can afford.

John