Jun 27

Fixing sticky saxophone pads

Music Music, saxophone Add Comment (2)

Fix sticky pads

It happens to all of us who play saxophone… you take it out of it’s case, start playing your favourite warm-up tune and, well, it doesn’t sound like it usually does, and the keys just don’t feel the same as they usually do. Some of the pads seem a little harder to press  and others don’t lift at all. The ones that don’t lift will often include the G# key.

The reason the G# key is one of the first to be affected is because the pad is moved away from it’s hole by a small spring and no matter how hard you press the G# key, it’s only the spring pressure which will lift it. You can tell if the pad is sticking by pressing the G# key and gently pulling the pad away from the hole – if you feel a little resistance and then the pad move clear of it’s oen free will then it’s almost certainly a sticky pad. If the pad moves freely but flops back, then the spring may be at fault.

I asked my local music store if there was something I could buy to fix this  and they sort of went ‘uhh?’ They said that the didn’t know of any cures and the only fix they new was to renew the pad. Hmm, so much for an ‘expert music store’…

This can be a common problem, even on quite new pads. I did some research and found that the cause of the problem is just gunge which builds up on the pad through normal playing. At the end of the day all the pad needs is a clean. Further research suggested lighter fluid. That’s pretty volotile, so I settelled for my favourite de-greaser, Meths… I put some on a cotton bud and gently rubbed it over the pad surface. waited a few seconds for it to dry and presto! a working G# key.

I’ve done this a few times now and it always works. I also rub some leather cleaner/restorer on the pad once the meths has dried. If the pad is one which is normally closed I use something (whatever fits!) to hold it open while the cleaner dries. I recommend not allowing the damp pad to come into contact with the tone hole until the meths or cleaner have dried as this may tarnish the brass and cause further problems.

 I’ve noticed some comments on forums that you shouldn’t apply anything to a pad, but, well, it’s not working any way – the worst you can do is ruin it and need a new pad, which is the alternative anyway (DOH!)

One final word if you’re using meths or any other solvent, use it sparingly and don’t let it come into contact with the rest of the instruments mechanism, as it will dilute and lubricant which may have been applied.

If you’re looking for a new sax you can find them at Grear4Music and Dolphin Music.

I’d be interested in hearing from anyone with other remedies for this problem…

Steve