The Best Felt for Saxophone Pads
The saxophone is a brass instrument with a single reed and 24 openings controlled by padded keys. The pads on the keys are vital to the success of the instrument. If the pads degrade, air leaks out under the key and changes the pitch of the notes.
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Pad Construction
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Pads are made of goldbeater's skin, felt and leather. Goldbeater's skin is the outside membrane of the intestine of an ox or lamb and used by goldsmiths to cushion layers of gold when it is beaten into gold leaf. Felt is a non-woven cloth made by spreading fibers of wool, fur or other fibers and bonding them under conditions of heat, moisture and pressure. Leather is the treated skin of an animal. Historically, pads were also made using paper cuttings and cloth leftovers.
Pad Materials
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The best felt comes from 100 percent virgin wool made water-repellent through chemical treatment. The felt is prepared to insure integrity for the life of the pad. Structural integrity is vital because felt pads are sized to 1/2 mm. Pads range in diameter from 60 mm to 70 mm.
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References
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