Saxophone service page

	1. The first step with any service is to fully evaluate the instrument. This entails a full check over of the mechanism for pads that are not seating correctly, keys that are out of alignment, excessive play on the mechanism, dents, posts out of alignment, worn pads etc. All findings are noted down and all loose play is taken up on the mechanism as the instrument is being stripped down. 2. The next step is to fully strip the key work from the main body, all the time noting any problems as they are found. It is only with the keys off the instrument that you can fully evaluate the extent of the work required.

	3. With the key work off the instrument you can clearly see the build up of dirt and grime underneath the key rods. The tone holes are heavily gummed up with green gunk caused by the brass oxidising with the moisture on the leather pads. This dirt will cause the pads to become sticky, will also cause leaks in the instrument and will speed the degradation of the pad skin bringing the cost of a re pad closer than necessary.

4. The springs are another area to look out for problems. Even though the springs on this Yamaha YAS25 are stainless steel the tips are beginning to get an accumulation of rust and dirt. This will cause the mechanism to feel sluggish and in the case of closed keys such as the G# and low C# the keys may not return properly to the closed position, another area for possible leaks.

	5. These pads are in a very poor state. The effects of moisture, acids from saliva and a build up of dirt has over time caused the leather on the pads to harden. There is no way these are going to seal the toneholes properly. In this case these were the main cause of this customers initial complaint of the instrument being difficult to play in the lower register.
6. The whole body of the instrument is fully cleaned inside and out. All keywork is cleaned and polished, pads are cleaned and replaced where necessary, all rod screws and hinges are de-greased and polished to help provide a smooth playing action. 7. Cork key bumpers and regulators are replaced where necessary and the whole mechanism fully lubricated with high quality teflon grease for the smoothest playing action possible.		This is really only a very brief description of the work involved in a general saxophone service. The finished product, depending on the limitations of the instrument, will have a silky smooth and silent playing action and be much more responsive and easier to play as all pads now seal the toneholes perfectly and the instrument mechanism is properly set up and regulated. The photos here are all of the same saxophone and is a good example of the type of work I receive at the workshop on a regular basis. Every instrument is then fully play tested before being returned to the customer.