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Tech
Topics:
Interesting Questions . . . |
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Tech
Topics:
Interesting Questions . . . |
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Fair Warning: Bear writes to his friends and clients in a PG-13 fashion ... |
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head to the sporting goods section for sturdy, versatile & inexpensive storage options (4/3/02) |
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steps to isolate player issues from instrument issues 1. a student is having trouble overblowing the octave 2. unwanted harmonics (4/13/02) (includes brief discussions of harmonics, altissimo & multiphonics in the saxophone) 3. fingering charts, with a discussion of keywork developments over the years (12/02/03) (includes what may be either missing or extra on your old C-Melody or Chu Berry) |
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1. Why are all saxophones not made in just one key -- like C? (9/27/04) 2a. What saxophone mouthpiece is right for me? (11/17/04) 2b. Do I need a different saxophone? (11/17/04) |
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vintage/used versus new & renting versus buying |
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question concerning Selmer era Buescher Aristocrat leads to discussion of the labels that marketeers arbitrarily put on our saxophones, and the confusion such labels introduce into buying a good saxophone (9/13/04) |
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Conn's 'Pan American' | Buescher's 'Elk Hart' | King's 'American Standard' | Martin's 'Indiana' (11/1/04) |
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caring for & cleaning bare brass, silver, nickel or gold saxophone finishes; tarnish prevention strategies for everyone; everything you ever wanted to know about burnishing saxophone finishes; a saxophone restoration polishing protocol; removing green mold & other pesky bare brass maladies (2/26/05) |
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24k & rose gold bell washes displayed & explained (9/28/03) bonus information on caring for your fine silver & gold plated saxophones |
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everything that goes into your ax has to come out -- sooner or later (4/3/02) let's see if we can understand what, where, when & why ... |
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more than you ever wanted to know about metallurgy (9/13/04) includes a discussion of saxophone ribs (yum!) and stress bends to saxophone bodies |
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did you know there was more than one Buescher design with the famed 'Top Hat' engraving? (12/14/04) |
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what burnished finishes look like, and briefly, how they are applied (12/22/01) |
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what works & what doesn't for lacquered and bare metal finishes of brass, silver, nickel and gold (9/18/04) also a discussion on disassembling your sax to do a complete job of spiffing it up |
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serial numbers and characteristics helpful in identifying 1920s Conn saxophone models (1/15/02) |
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tricks & traps related to disassembling & reassembling a 1920s Conn saxophone includes general information applying to disassembly & reassembly on other saxophone brands & models (4/15/05) |
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minimum system requirements, application software, peripherals, sample arrangements (4/3/02) |
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when comparing two great saxophones is it really necessary to decide which is better? (4/17/02) follow up discussion of changes in Conn quality pre WWII vs. post war |
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the whole truth and nothin' but -- it's even illustrated ... (8/24/04) |
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these seeming discrepancies fully explained (9/28/03) (includes general comments on vintage saxophone restoration work) |
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serial numbers and features to help you identify these fine & rare old Conns (1/15/02) |
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get a mouthpiece that will make your C-Melody sound & respond like the rest of the great 1920s Conns (1/25/02) (includes follow ups on shank length and reeds for original C-Melody mouthpieces) **comments revised & evaluations of Runyon & Beechler Cmel mpcs added (9/30/03) |
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(plus some issues that extend beyond the Cmel subject to general vintage sax interest) 2. Cmel issue discussions with an informed CS visitor (12/13/03) 3. Resolving a client's Cmel intonation problem (12/13/03) |
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get a nice snug fit and never wipe those fingers on your clothes again (3/27/02) |
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what can and cannot happen to your saxophone's finish (9/13/04) what you can and should do about saxual cosmetic issues advisability of DIY endeavors on your saxophone (a very sad topic -- not intended for the emotionally weak) |
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Martin Committee & other dual left bell key saxes vs. Selmer style 'balanced action' horns (11/7/03) (or why is it that your Mark VI bell swerves so wildly to the right?) |
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the really bad ones to avoid at all costs (4/14/02) Oriental Wonders, MexiConns, anything stamped China or PRC ... |
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Much of what you will read here is beyond the scope of DIY sax repair, but it's interesting stuff you can use to keep your favorite tech honest ... 1. spot plating an assembled saxophone (4/19/02) 2. leveling empty pad cups (4/19/02) 3. fitting sax necks (10/31/03) 4. bis Bb key & other main stack relationships (10/31/03) 5. bass sax considerations (10/21/04) (includes discussion of bare brass polishing & maintenance, plus advanced info on leak lights for specialized saxual applications) |
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in the end, idoicy, dishonesty and just plain ignorance impact your saxuality in exactly the same way (2-9-05) |
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general information on what EWIs are and how to enrich your music using them (4/3/02) also, a source for repair to the common 'squealing' problem of the Casio DH-100 |
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check this before you celebrate the bargain early Adolph Sax or other collectible early design you just nabbed (1/26/02) |
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what satin, polished and burnished finishes each look like, and briefly, how they are applied (12/22/01) (see the related item below on Common Saxophone Finishes and how to recognize them) |
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finishes commonly found on saxophones and how to recognize them (1/15/02) (see the related item above on Saxophone Finish Techniques and how they are applied) |
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1. at the end of our discussion of H. N. White we discuss dealing with these pesky little fossils (1/5/02) 2. additional info: purposes, functions and dysfunctions discussed in expanded detail (10/24/03) |
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Did I do that? intentional & non-intentional harmonic separations are responsible for myriad saxual effects (4/27/06) |
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1. differences between the two tuning standards found in vintage saxophones (12/22/01) how to recognize them, and how to use them 2. dual octave buttons & a general discussion on high pitch instruments, (10/5/04) including the distinction between 'antique' and 'vintage' as these terms apply to saxophones 3. past & current musical applications for high pitch saxophones, timing of adopting the A=440 standard (3/5/05) |
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why these instruments are obscure and unappreciated (12/22/01) |
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Bear's take on the dreaded "I" word (4/30/06) |
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great saxophones with rolled tone holes (1/26/02) learn about names like Couf, Kohlert, Graslitz, the New King & more .. |
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King, Cleveland & American Standard (1/5/02) company history, design achievements and even an explanation of those 'mystery keys' found on older vintage saxophones |
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make your own custom key risers, extensions & thumbrests to improve feel & playing comfort (2/13/05) |
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sax player, get a light ... classifying leaks so you can deal with them effectively the usual causes for each type, plus hints on eliminating them (12/22/01) |
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the modern tuning standard explained: who did what to whom -- and when ... (12/22/01) |
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given that saxophones of the Mark VI design were made both before AND after the range of serial numbers & dates shown on Selmer charts, just how do you distinguish between SBA, Mark VI and Mark VII Selmer saxophone models? Bear explains it all... (3/15/05) |
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understanding that stuff stamped between your thumb rest and the Low Eb cage (4/3/02) the infamous MexiConns -- that 'N' stands for Nogales, Mexico ... |
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tips on caring for your fine silver & gold plated saxophones (9/28/03) bonus information on 24k & rose gold bell washes |
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properties of materials, pros & cons, what matters most, what may not matter as much as you think (9/26/04) |
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quick & inexpensive neck plugs (aka body end plugs) can be made from ordinary household items (9/30/04) |
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what polished finishes look like, and briefly, how they are applied (12/22/01) (this discussion is on a metal finishing technique, not maintenance, which is discussed below) |
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what works & what doesn't for lacquered and bare metal finishes of brass, silver, nickel and gold (4/14/02) also a discussion on disassembling your sax to do a complete job of spiffing it up |
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'set up' and 'regulation' defined some common regulation maladies & their effects on your play determining when your sax might not be properly regulated part 2 of a discussion including harmonics (4/27/06) |
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what satin finishes look like, and briefly, how they are applied (12/22/01) |
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a question about the suitability of Yanagisawa solid silver models (4/3/02) |
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become a better player by understanding how your sax makes the notes you finger sound the way you want them to (12/22/01) (part of the discussion on finding and eliminating leaks) |
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mouthpiece design theory -- dispelling the tip opening myth...much, much more... (2/25/05) |
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achieve your tone & response goals: a common sense approach for matching mouthpieces to a vintage sax (4/3/02) |
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instrument names we've never heard ... your input is welcome if you have additional information 1. Periett Paris (4/5/02) |
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the value of your neck, how to use a Conn neck tuner correctly, teflon plumber's tape is a life saver (3/27/02) |
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1. pads are readily available to those with the urge to take on a DIY resto project (4/14/02) 2. choosing the right type of replacement pads 3. Conn Res-O-Pads, description, advantages with RTH horns, fitting 4. expanded discussion on Conn Res-O-Pads (10/25/03) |
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dispelling the myths about relacquered saxophones -- warning: your core values are about to be challenged (12/22/01) |
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1. I Need to Get My Vintage Conn C-Melody Restored (4/17/02) 2. advisability of DIY jobs (9/28/03) |
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a discussion of the various ways the Selmer name has been used on saxophones (12/22/01) (the instruments that are highly sought -- and those that aren't) |
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a very interesting & obscure piece of saxophone lore (4/17/02) |
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the serial number chart on your vintage Selmer's number isn't necessarily the last word on the model you have (09/30/04) |
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discussion with an insightful CS visitor sparks valuable exchange, revealing your saxophone's deepest secrets (01/21/05) included is a process order for setting up saxophones that assures you won't get lost in the details |
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a few hints for experienced solderers on assuring clean, strong joints for saxophone work (9/26/03) |
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only enough force to accomplish the required result: a step-by-step protocol for stuck screw & rod removal (11/19/03) |
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tales of planes, trains & automobiles -- not to mention trucks, buses and boats ... (4/17/02) |
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brands and their characteristic keywork & sound traits (12/22/01, updated 1/30/05) |
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1. you can do something about those wear spots on your vintage plated saxophones (1/15/02) (includes source for information & equipment) 2. follow-up on spot plating an assembled saxophone (4/18/02) |
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1. those strange names you've never heard are usually tied to some that are quite familiar (1/28/02) also, a discussion of stencil quality & the evolution of the stencil models through the decades since 1920 2. Why can't I just look up who made which saxophone on a list? (10/25/03) |
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keeping pads clear of crud, plus causes to avoid, including a frank discussion of pad savers & key clamps (1/5/02) follow-up concerning travel & key clamps (1/29/05) |
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your rights as a victim, what happens if you mistakenly buy stolen goods, (4/2/02) plus the CS clearing house for lost, stolen and found musical instruments |
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prepare your instrument for a safe & snug long winter's nap (12/2/03) also some hints on keeping cases smelling fresh, holding tarnish at bay, and minimizing chances of water damage |
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a foolproof way to determine exactly which type of sax you have (12/22/01) (especially how to separate the C-Melody and C soprano from the fold) |
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a collection of short responses on miscellaneous problems 1. Hard Responding Upper Octave A 2. Flat Middle C# 3. Fuzzy Middle D on Tenor 4. My Sax Seems to Play Sharp (4/5/02) 5. Low Note Response, Altissimo Issues, Making a Nifty little leak Light (1/24/05) |
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complexities of the dreaded 'V' question exposed (9/28/03) (includes ancillary discussions regarding Conn transitional altos, early King altos, Buescher Cmels, and Beechler Cmel mpcs) |
| Bear
has a few simple rules about writing to him.
If you don't follow them you will still get an answer, but if you do you will get the answer you want ... 1. Write in complete sentences with proper punctuation and capitalization (cuz if Bear decides to publish your question here he doesn't like to have to grade your paper) 2. Spell check before you press send (Bear can't spell either, but he knows there's no excuse with all these modern conveniences) 3. Keep it clean (this is Cyber SAX !!!) and remember to use Please and Thank You (those words are still the grease on the wheels of success) 4. Try not to ask grape questions cuz Bear gets bunches of email (he could probably write you a book but we have better uses for his time) 5. Sign your name (if you're squeamish about privacy remember Bear won't know whether it's your real name or not, but he like's to think he's your friend. Humor him, OK? We have to...) 6. Select a subject that clearly tells Bear your message is about saxophones or music (we get tons of spam, so non-saxual subjects are prone to be caught in our spam traps) 7. Send only .jpg files as attachments (other file types can contain viruses -- BTW, make sure your pix are clearly focused, relevant & well lit .. you may have the finest furniture & pets possible, but they aren't helpful in answering your questions) 8. Please DO NOT put Bear on your address book or distribution lists (Bear doesn't have time for chain letters & such -- besides, these lists are how viruses spread .. if you have to keep such lists make them text files or spreadsheets .. Of course you can find Bear's email address at the bottom of every CS web page) |
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