Looking After Your Saxophone

Good care and maintenance of your sax can ensure a lifetime of playing enjoyment.
Assembling your saxophone

1. Make sure that the crook tenon (the metal part which goes into the body) is
   clean, free from all dirt and grease. You should never use any grease on this joint.
2. Hold the crook by the tube, being careful not to touch the key on this part of the
   instrument. Insert the crook so that it goes into the body straight and not at an
   angle. Be careful to not put too much pressure on the mechanism as you put the
   pieces together.
3. Make sure that the cork on the crook is smooth and well lubricated with cork
   grease. This will help to ensure that your mouthpiece fits smoothly and easily.
   Put the mouthpiece onto the body, flat side down. Add the ligature and reed.
   Caution Do not grip the neck tightly around the key when assembling your
   sax. This key is thin and easy to bend, even on the most expensive sax. If the
   fitting is tight, bring your sax to us and we will fit the joint, making it
   easier for you to put the sax together.
   Repairer’s Tip When putting your sax away, always put the
   plastic end plug into the neck receiver. Many people don’t
   realise that this plug provides protection to the saxophone body
   while in its case.
   Cleaning your saxophone
   We recommend using a chamois pullthrough to remove the condensation
   from the inside of your saxophone; you need one for the body and one for
   the crook. You can extend the life of the pads and mechanism and reduce
   instrument maintenance by swabbing out your sax after each use. To help
   with sticky pads, you can try using a “Pad Saver”, while a “Bell Brush”
   will protect against corrosion in the bow of the instrument.
   Remove fingerprints from the sax using a fine microfibre polishing cloth.
   Never apply any liquid polish.
   Repairer’s Tip A sticky G# key can be a sax player’s biggest problem. To help prevent against this,
   always dry your sax thoroughly with a pullthrough after each use; don’t drink or eat before playing;
   and try using a “Pad Saver”. You can also try a pad cleaning solution, which you apply with a pipe
   cleaner. We don’t recommend powder papers – whilst they will help in the short term, long term
   they add more gunk to the pad, increasing its stickiness.
   Storing your sax
   A good case or gig bag is vital. Soft gig bags may be light to carry, but they don’t always offer the
   necessary protection if you knock or drop your case. There are a number of good-value hard cases
   available on the market which are light to carry while offering a degree of protection. If you’re
   touring by coach or plane, we recommend using a flight case which offers puncture-resistant
   impact protection while in the luggage hold. It will almost certainly save you money on repairs.
   Store your sax in a safe place where the temperature is stable: the heat from a radiator is not good
   for pads. Your instrument is best stored in its case when you are not using it. Keep your case clean,
   and do not store cleaning accessories inside the case