MY
Services
Clean, Oil and Adjust
A professional cleaning and adjustment is the single most important service for keeping your saxophone in top playing condition. Every sax should have an annual cleaning and adjustment. The procedure involves complete disassembly of the instrument. The body, rods and hinge tubes are cleaned and the keys are cleaned as well as possible without disturbing pads, corks and felts. Pads are reseated and the mechanism is regulated and oiled. The neck cork is replaced as needed. Additional charges will incur for pad and spring replacements. All instruments are completely and carefully disassembled. Springs are tested and replaced as necessary.* All pads, corks, and felts are tested. All mechanisms (including rod screws, pivot screws, rollers and hinge tubing) are cleaned and oiled. Pads are re-floated as possible to cover with a light touch. Key to key adjustment, key height and lost motion are regulated. Finally, the instrument is thoroughly play-tested for confirmation.
Repadding
Repadding a saxophone involves complete disassembly of the instrument. Dents are removed as required for proper acoustical and mechanical operations.* Tone holes are corrected as needed and faced true. Springs are tested and replaced as necessary.* The neck cork is replaced and fit to your particular mouthpiece. All pads, corks, and felts are replaced with the highest-grade materials. All mechanisms (including rod screws, pivot screws, rollers and hinge tubing) are cleaned and oiled. Pads are seated to cover with a light touch. Key to key adjustment, key height and lost motion are regulated to exacting standards. The instrument is then allowed to set, re-examined for regulation, and thoroughly play-tested for confirmation..
Mechanical Restoration
Often times saxophones that have seen many years of play, have been in long-term storage or have not received regular maintenance, will require a full mechanical restoration in order to play properly. With this procedure the instrument is completely disassembled. All of the keys, the body, and the neck are thoroughly cleaned. Dents are removed as required for proper acoustical and mechanical operations. Tone holes are corrected as needed and faced true. Springs are tested and replaced as necessary. The neck cork is replaced and fit to your particular mouthpiece. All pads, corks, and felts are replaced are replaced with the highest-grade materials. All mechanisms (including rod screws, pivot screws, rollers and hinge tubing) are cleaned and oiled. Keys are refitted as needed on student model instruments and to exacting tolerances on professional quality instruments. Pads are seated to cover with a light touch. Key to key adjustment, key height and lost motion are regulated to exacting standards. The instrument is then allowed to set, re-examined for regulation, and thoroughly play-tested for confirmation..
Finishing services: Patina, re-engraving, stripping
Does your original lacquer look poor? Has your instrument been brass-coated in a way that is inappropriate to it’s actual era or with a brass coat that could affect the sound? The appearance of a horn is crucial; when an instrument’s finish is appropriate for its age, this vintage look improves the value. Chris Keene is an expert in instrument finishes, including making sure that the any engraving is restored to its original beauty as well.
Mechnical overhauls
A mechanical overhaul includes the following steps: Pads adjusted by floating and/or replaced where needed using shellac and all pad leaks removed. Loose screws and rods tightened and/or replaced where needed.
Worn or missing key corks, felts, and bumpers replaced (including neck cork). Body tube checked for proper alignment.
Posts checked for proper solder and for proper alignment. Hinge tubes and rods checked for proper alignment.
Grime and/or corrosion removed from hinge tubes, hinge rods, and pivot screws. Key mechanisms regulated and lost motion addressed.
Spring tensions adjusted and springs replaced where needed. Lube rods and screws.
Mouthpiece cleaned and checked for damage. Neck-pipe checked for damage and cleaned.
Case cleaned and checked for instrument safetyInstrument given a final play test.