per-misaer writes “I bought this Keilwerth sx90r tenor a year and a half ago. It sounds fine, and after some minor adjustments the action is fine to. One annoying problem remains though. The sticky pads!
I was told that the stickynes had something to do with the pads beeing impregnated, and that the problem would go away in time. Well, some pads are ok, but some, like the Bb,C, G, G# keys, sticks literally as if they were glued to the tonehole after I’ve been playing for an hour or so. I never drink anything but water when i play so that can’t be the problem.
Before playing I use yamaha powder papers with talcum powder on the pads, but it only helps until the pads get wet. Perhaps this water (or saliva or both) coming out of the sax is the root to the problem after all. When I have played for a while water starts dripping (or rather pouring)from the B and G keys, not only to make the keys beneath sticky, but also to make the key buttons very slippery.
I thougt that perhaps it’s possible to aply something water repellant(like car wax?)on the inside of the toneholes, to make the water run down to the bell bow instead of pouring out through the tone holes.
Any ideas? Any one? I’m desperate for advise!!”
First of all, the wax idea is not going to help. Thats crazy, and I’d imagine it would mess up the sound of the horn as well.
You can try getting Needsfeet (or Needsfoot) oil and apply that to your pads. It’s a leather treatment/waterproofing solution.
I think the root of the problem is that you are getting to much moisture into the horn. Is it cold where you practice? Some of the “water” is condensation from your breathe, the rest is slobber (salivia). It’s hard to tell if it’s condensation or slobber. It’s probably both. I hardly ever get water in the B and G keys, it’s usually in the upper stack, like high E or F. You might consult your teacher (or a teacher) to see if you are maybe slobbering too much. A lot of people when they start out really have too much salivia going, and after a while (a year, two, or so) they don’t do it as much. Maybe eat before you practice so then your stomach doesn’t think it’s foot in your mouth.
Maybe swab at intervals during practice? Clarinet players need to do this regularly, as do oboe and flute players. Thats probably the easiest thing to do, and would/should solve your probably.
High humidity? Maybe get a dehumidifier going in that room to get rid of the air moisture. I’d think that a low humidity room would work in your favor to inhibit condensation while your practicing. I doubt it would prevent it, but it might give you more time to play before water starts forming.
What I’d really do, if Needsfeet oil doesn’t work, and you don’t want to swab the horn, is to get those pads replaced. Some pads on some of these new horns are that real soft, cheap leather material, and they get gluey really easily. I’ll have to check the Keilwerth at the store I teach at too see what it has.
But, in the following order, SWAB at intervals, Needsfeet Oil, and replace pads.
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