How to Replace the Pads on a Saxophone
Changing a few pads on a saxophone is not too difficult, but to repad an entire horn is a job that should be tackled by a trained professional. When all or the majority of all the pads need to be replaced, the corks usually need to be replaced, too. But if the corks are in good condition, and the keys and tone holes are not bent, the pads can be replaced without removing the keys, pivot screws and hinge rods.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 pad cup heater or alcohol lamp
- Padding needle
- Pad cement
- Damp sponge
- Saxophone pad slick
- Cork or wood wedges
- Leak light
Instructions
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1
Heat the pad cup of the pad that is to be replaced using the pad cup heater or an alcohol lamp. When the pad cement inside the pad cup begins to bubble, insert a padding needle into the old pad and lift it out.
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2
Dampen the surface of the new pad with a damp sponge. Don't get the pad dripping wet; just dampen it enough to darken the color of the pad's leather.
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3
Cover the back side of the new pad with melted pad cement. Heat the pad cup, insert a padding needle into the new pad, and slide the pad into place in the pad cup. Use a pad slick to level the pad inside the pad cup.
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4
Use a cork or wood wedge to hold the key closed and insert a leak light into the instrument. Slide the light to the site of the new pad. Check to make sure that no light can be seen around the tone hole. Also check for leaks on any other keys that may be operated by the closure of the key on which you are working. If other leaks are seen, the keys must be adjusted by releveling or replacing affected pads, or, if adjustment screws are available for those keys, they must be adjusted to remove any leaks.
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5
Heat the closed key to seat the pad. Use just enough heat to melt the pad cement and seat the pad's seal to the tone hole. Remove the wedge.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a pin block to hold hinge rods and pivot screws if any keys are removed.
Do not use a propane or butane torch to heat pad cups because these torches generate too much heat and will burn lacquer.
