Welcome to the Open Source Saxophone Project Index! This is where all of the articles and videos from this site and elsewhere are put together in something approximating a searchable, organized index. The layout of this page will be updated as new material is created and found. Have a suggestion for an addition? Contact me!
This is also probably going to be the place where people come first when linked to this site. So if you haven’t already, maybe you’d like to learn about what this site is and what I hope it will become. Ok, on to the good stuff:
Whether you are interested in learning how to be a wiser consumer, learn how to repair your own horn, or add to your skills as a full-time repairman, this document was created for you (and by some of you).
The sections are (currently) divided into levels, each with their own description, goal, tool set, and guides. As content is added, the layout of this page may change.
Should you decide to use this document to learn how to repair saxophones, remember this: You are responsible for what you do. In the case of a professional and/or vintage instrument, you are responsible to generations yet to come for how well- or poorly- you do the job. When in doubt, slow down and consult an expert.
In that vein, you need to read THIS before continuing.
That said, a person with aptitude should be able to (eventually) use this Encyclopedia to go quite far in the craft of saxophone repair. Of course, how good your horn works will depend on how good you get at doing the work, and unfortunately it is easier than it looks. Like learning to play the saxophone, it is very easy to do it badly, very difficult (or at least time-consuming with a prerequisite of passion) to do it well.
Level 1 – Maintain your own saxophone between professional servicings
Level 1 Tools (OSSP, Article)
Guides: General
- Saxophones On Which To Learn Repair (OSSP, article)
- Evaluating a Used Saxophone for Purchase (OSSP/Youtube, multimedia)
- Build a workbench (OSSP, Article)
- Band-Aids (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Guides: Lubrication
- Changing the Oil (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Oiling the Action (Stephen Howard Woodwinds, article)
Guides: Disassembly/Cleaning
- How I Polish Silver Saxophones (Stohrer Music, article)
Guides: Padwork
- The Best Saxophone Pads (YouTube, Stohrer Music)
- How To Install And Seat Saxophone Pads (OSSP, multimedia)
- How To Install Riveted Resonators in Saxophone Pads (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Pad & Cork Replacement – Paul Coats (SaxGourmet, article)
- Testing For Leaky Pads (Stephen Howard Woodwinds, article)
- Making and Using a Leak Light (Stephen Howard Woodwinds, article)
- The Pop Test (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- (Questionable Method) Quik ‘N Easy Leak Detector (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Understanding Toneholes Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Guides: Adjustment Materials
- Introduction to Saxophone Adjustment Materials (not done yet)
- Saxophone Adjustment Materials: The Stohrer Method (Stohrer Music, article)
- Saxophone Adjustment Materials (not done yet)
Guides: Mechanisms
- How To Check Octave Mechanism (not done yet)
- Straightening a Rod (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Straightening a Rod Again (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- How To Replace A Spring (Saxophone Whisperer, YouTube)
- Replacing A Saxophone Spring (MusicMedic, YouTube)
Guides: Misc.
- Making Shellac Sticks (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Making Shellac Sticks (Overhead View) (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Why Overhaul a Saxophone? (Stohrer Music, article)
Level 2 – Overhaul your own saxophone (minor mechanical work and dentwork)
Build a cleaning area (not done yet)
Level 2 Tools (OSSP, article)
Guides: Mechanical Work
- What is Swedging? (not done yet)
- Post Fit (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Hinge Tube Mechanical Fit (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Key Fit and the G#/bis Regulation (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Level 3 – Overhaul saxophones for paying customers
Professional workshop setups
Tools
Guides
Mechanical Work
Understanding Key Fitting: Hinge Tube and Post Facing (Stohrer Music, article)
Post Bushings (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Pivot Receiver Bushing and Post Washer (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Level 4- Master Craftsman. Philosophy, Custom/Advanced Tooling, Etc.
The Unprofitable Valley or: Why So Much Stuff Is Mediocre (Stohrer Music, article)
Saxophone Engraving
Tools
Guides
Make/Model Specific Repair Advice and Information
Buescher
- Buescher Snap-On (Snap-in) Pads & Resonators (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: 1929 Buescher True-Tone Alto Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Buescher Tipped Bell True Tone Soprano Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Buescher 400 Tenor Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: 1959 Buescher “Super 400” Alto Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Buffet
- Original Buffet Screw-in Resonators (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Original Buffet Screw-in Resonators (Installed) (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Buffet S1 Alto Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Buffet Super Dynaction Tenor Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Conn
- Adjusting the Low C# Tension on a Conn 10M (Stohrer Music, article)
- Conn Pivot Screw Lock Screws (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Assembly of the Conn Saxophone Microtuner (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Old-Style Conn Saxophone Octave Mechanism (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Conn Microtuner Work Holder (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Conn 10M Tenor Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Conn “Transitional” Alto Saxophones (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Conn 6M “Transitional” Alto Saxophones (Stohrer Music, article)
- Repairman’s Overview: Conn 30M and 26M “Connqueror” Saxophones (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Conn 12M “Transitional” Baritone Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: 1925 Conn New Wonder II Alto Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Conn New Wonder II Soprano Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: 1929 Conn New Wonder II “Transitional” 4M Curved Soprano Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: 1924 Conn New Wonder I Tenor Saxophone (negative review) (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Conn Virtuoso Deluxe Soprano Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: 1928 Conn F-Mezzo Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Holton
- Holton 232 Saxophone Octave Mechanism (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Keilwerth
- Repairman’s Overview: 1947 Keilwerth New King Series II Alto Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: 1930’s Keilwerth Alto Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
King
- King Super 20 Octave Mechanism (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- King Super 20 and Zephyr Special Key Pearls (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Quick Repairman’s Overview: 1939 King Zephyr Special Tenor Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview (shorter version) King Super 20 Saxophones (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: (sprawling mess edition) King Super 20 Saxophones (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: King Zephyr Special Saxophones (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Kohlert
- Repairman’s Overview: 1954 Kohlert Winnenden (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Leblanc
- Repairman’s Overview: Leblanc Rationnel/Semi-Rationnel (not overhauled) (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Martin
- Martin “The Martin” Alto & Tenor Saxophone Neck Octave Key Spring (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Martin Committee II Alto Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Martin “The Martin”/Committee III Tenor Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Selmer
- Original Lacquer Overspray on Vintage Selmers (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Original Selmer Saxophone Resonators (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Selmer Mark VI Alto with Low A (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Late Selmer Mark VI Alto Bow Patches (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Selmer Radio Improved Alto Saxophone (contains known error regarding geared octave mechanism) (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s CORRECTION: Selmer Geared Octave Mechanism (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Selmer Balanced Action Alto and Tenor Saxophones (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
SML
- SML Saxophone Feature: Removable Neck Ring (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- SML “Gold Plated” Saxophones: It’s Not Gold, Bruh (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: SML Coleman Hawkins Special Saxophones (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: SML “Revision D” Tenor Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Yamaha
- How To (Temporarily) Fix Loose Yamaha Adjustment Screws (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Yamaha YSS-62R Soprano Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
- Repairman’s Overview: Yamaha Soprano Showdown: Vintage 62R vs. New 82ZR (Stohrer Music, YouTube)
Yanagisawa
- Repairman’s Overview: Yanagisawa 880 Tenor Saxophone (Stohrer Music, YouTube)