How to Refurbish a Used Saxophone
The saxophone is a unique woodwind instrument combining a playing technique similar to the clarinet and flute while producing the bright radiant tones of a brass instrument. Refurbishing a used saxophone involves making the keys airtight, the springs responsive, and the cork fresh and smooth.
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Things You'll Need
- Replacement pad set
- Replacement spring set
- Portion of 1/16-inch cork sheet
- Woodwind resin
- Weldwood brand contact glue
- Sharp knife
- Alcohol burner
- Jeweler's screwdriver
- 100-grit sandpaper
Instructions
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Disassembling the saxophone
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1
Remove all the screws in the head of each valve post. When removing key and valve assembly (keys are pressed by fingers, valves cover various holes in the instrument body) take care to carefully note the type of spring actuating each assembly. Note any wear, thinning or broken springs.
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2
Heat all valves with pad inserts using the alcohol burner. Keep moving the valve metal side down over the flame. Melt old resin and remove the pad.
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3
Use the knife to remove old cork used for mounting the mouthpiece to the neck. Scrape away all old cork and glue residue. Gently sand the remainder down to bare brass metal.
Replacing worn parts
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4
Take each valve and match with the corresponding size pad. Gently heat valve metal side down over the alcohol burner. Add a portion of pad resin to the heated valve interior. Resin will quickly melt. Spread an even layer over the valve interior. Quickly insert pad, reheat and apply gentle pressure. When resin cools the pad will adhere to the valve. Repeat for all valve and pad combinations.
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5
Measure length of cork to width for replacing on the neck. Cork should be long enough to encircle the neck. Slice one lengthwise edge diagonally. Apply Weldwood brand contact glue to the cork and the neck. Allow to dry. Apply the cork to the neck, taking care to place it in the desired spot. The Weldwood glue will adhere immediately. Gently wrap the cork around the neck. It will bend without cracking. The trailing edge of the cork will adhere snugly to the diagonal edge. Use the knife to cut away excess cork. Sand the joint to even the circumference. Lubricate freely with cork grease.
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6
Insert all necessary springs to valve assemblies and mounting posts on the instrument body.
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7
Reassemble the freshly-padded valve and keys while replacing all worn, thinning or broken springs.
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8
Check all pads and keys for airtight seating. Check to make sure the mouthpiece fits snugly on the new corked neck. Check all the springs and key action. If any of the keys or valves feel too loose, too tight or leak air, disassemble and check that the pad and spring are the correct size. If the pad or the spring are not correct, repeat steps for pad and spring replacement.
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