Brand new again, Used sax!

[Vinny Laudicina]

Hey Guys! Haven’t picked up a sax in 25 years but found a yamaha Yas-23 online for $200 and decided to pull the trigger and buy it. Took a chance since I didn’t know what shape it was in but lucky for me, it’s not bad at all. Just dusty and needs some polish. Haven’t played it yet because new mouth piece hasn’t been delivered yet. Is there a way to tell if the pads are no good without playing it? They seal nice and everything seems to open and close properly. Also, what’s best way to clean a used dusty sax? I was thinking that a can of never dull polish wadding would work….any thoughts, comments, and ideas would be greatly appreciated!!! Can’t wait to blow some air thru this piece, as for now just practicing my fingering and notes with no mouth piece! Thanks again! Cheers!…….

[john]

In the 30 years I been playing my sax I’ve never polished it with anything. Make sure if you use something it doesn’t have any harsh chemicals. Otherwise just dust it off.
That sax for 200 is a great deal!
As for checking the pads for leaks, the repair guys have a long tube light which slides right down the sax and when the tone holes are closed there will be streaks of light escaping thru if there is indeed any leaks. Since you probably don’t have one of these lights, you can let a repair shop check it. It only takes em a sec and probably for free.
Good idea for practicing with just your fingering until you get your mp. John Coltrane used to do that early in the morning in hotel rooms so he wouldn’t make any noise till a reasonable time… good way to do it and not waste any valuable practice time!

[Anonymous]

whoops – i cleaned the outside of my
sax with those tv screen cleaners
wrapped round a cotton bud!

[Dazza]

Lucky tou anly paid $200 and not $2000 hey! Idid the same with my first student sax. It’s now a distant memory as I now have a Yamaha 62 and love the sound. Johnny, speakng of pads I am having some small issues with G but mainly G# just ‘cutting out” sometimes. I know it is inherantly a troubleosme note and recall your earlier post about practicing that note for 30 minutes alone, which I did!. I can play the note easily and in tune most of the time but occassionally it fails on me. Could this be a pad issue perhaps? It’s not squeaking instead just doesnt want to come out. Any suggestions or is it just a technique and practice issue?

[Vinny Laudicina]

Any idea how much the average price is to replace pads?

[Author]

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