of all saxophone repair material created by Matt Stohrer, 2007-present. Last updated 10/25/23.
This is an index of everything I have created so far about saxophone repair. It is updated as I create new material. Some are articles, some are videos. Some are broadly applicable repair topics (example: how to seat pads), some are make or model specific (example: Conn locking screws), some are philosophical (example: The Unprofitable Valley). As of April 2023, there over 240 articles and videos in the index. If you aren’t familiar with my work or wonder why I am doing this, you may want to read the disclaimer first.
I will continue to create new material and update this page, and I will keep making it freely available because I believe that is what is best for the saxophone. I continue to think about a better way to present this- perhaps as a downloadable Microsoft OneNote or something like that? Let me know if you have any ideas.
You can press ctrl-f in Windows or command-f on a Mac to search this page.
All content on this website is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike.
Saxophone Repair Topics
General
Article: Why Overhaul a Saxophone
Article: I Timed a Saxophone Overhaul
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: How (and why!) To Set Up Side C, Side Bb, Side F# (nerd edition)
Video: Branford Marsalis Plays Ultra Rare Conn 10M Prototype
Video: Repairman’s Overview: The Clean-Oil-Adjust (COA)
Purchasing Advice
Video: Evaluating a Used Saxophone for Purchase
Tools
Article: Tools, Level One
Article: Tools, Level Two
Article: My Take-Home Tools
Article: Build A Workbench
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: The Best Screwdrivers
Disassembly/Cleaning
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Changing The Oil
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Effects of Not Changing the Oil
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Removing A Stuck Saxophone Roller
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Cleaning Rusty Pivot Screws
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Removing Stuck Rollers Using Heat
Article: How I Polish Silver Saxophones
Video: How To Polish Really, Really Stubborn Tarnish
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Cleaning Hinge Rods
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Easy Detail Polisher/Cleaner Trick
Toneholes
Video: Understanding Toneholes Part One, Part Two, Part Three
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Lacquer Toneholes After Leveling
Video: Saxophone Repair Short: The “Lost Mass” from Leveling Toneholes
Padwork
Article: How To Install and Seat Saxophone Pads
Video: The Pop Test (first version) The Pop Test Version Two
Video: Bass Saxophone Pop Test
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: New vs. Used Pads
Video: Saxophone (Questionable) Repair Topic: Quik ‘N Easy Leak Detector
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: The Best Saxophone Pads
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: How To Put Shellac On Pads
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Sizing Sax Pads (And Why I Don’t Use Pad Sets)
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Making Pad Prick Holes Go Away
Video: (Questionable) Saxophone Repair Topic: My Chosen Pad Treatment
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Shellac Bed in Deep Key Cups
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: An Unscientific Look at Porous or Leaky Saxophone Pad Leather
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: What Leaks From Not Enough Shellac Looks Like And How To Fix It
Video: Saxophone (Quick) Repair Topic: Pad Ironing
Video: Porous (not airtight) Saxophone Pads on Magnahelic Example
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Do Soft Pads Feel Soft?
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic (Questionable): Cleaning Lacquer-Treated Pads
Finish/Plating
Video: Saxophone (Quick) Repair Topic: What Is That Red Stuff On Your Relacquered Horn
Video: Saxophone (Quick) Repair Topic: Original Painted/Enameled Saxophones from the 1920s
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Telltale Signs of a Re-plate with Super Obvious Example
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: “Gold Doesn’t Tarnish”?
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: (Partially) Repairing Slightly Burned Vintage Lacquer
Resonators
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Installing Riveted Resonators in Pads
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: My Riveted Domed Resonator Choices & Reasons
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Plastic Resonators That Look Like The Old Selmer Ones
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Quickly Resize Seamless Riveted Resonators
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Resonators (Special Super Ramble-y Edition)
Key work
Article: Understanding Saxophone Key Fitting: Hinge Tube and Post Facing
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Post Fit
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Key Fit and the G#/bis Regulation
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Post Bushings
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Straightening a Rod, and Another Way
Video: Advanced Saxophone Repair Topic: Pivot Receiver Bushing and Post Washer
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Hinge Tube Mechanical Fit
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Inherent Key Adjustments
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: How To Straighten Bent Threads on a Hinge Rod
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Fitting Posts Down Around Hinge Rods/Post Fit
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Fitting Hinge Rod/Pivot Combo
Video: (Quick) Saxophone Repair Topic: Straightening Bent Hinge Tubes (Basic Example)
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic (Quick): Key Noise Without Keys
Article: Saxophone Hinge Tube Bushing
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: How To Change Front F Venting Height Relationship on Old Horns
Adjustment Materials
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Domed G#/bis Adjustment Materials
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Super Nice Natural Key Corks
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: What Does 80 Year-Old Key Cork Look Like?
Article: Saxophone Adjustment Materials: The Stohrer Method (I use a lot more natural cork these days, but the philosophy remains the same)
Soldering/Dentwork
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Straightening Really Bent Keys
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Solder Wicking
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Dent Removal Example 1
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Dent Removal Example 2, Hollow Tapping (Questionable)
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Dent Removal Example 3
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Dent Removal Example 4 (Coyote Edition)
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Repairing Some Typical Long Term Damage on an old Selmer Tenor, Part 1 and then Part 2 and then Part 3 and then Part 4 and then Part 5
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: That Troublesome Selmer Dent Near The Octave Pip
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: What Dentwork Looks Like on the Inside
Neck Stuff
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: An Example of a Neck Tenon Leak
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Double Socket Necks
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Patching a Neck Pickup Hole
Original Setups
Video: Vintage Saxophone Original Setups: 1954 Selmer Super (Balanced) Action Tenor
Video: Vintage Saxophone Original Setups: Selmer Mark VI Alto, American Assembled, 1964
Video: Vintage Saxophone Original Setups: King Zephyr Special Tenor
Misc.
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Band-Aids
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Making Shellac Sticks and then The Overhead View Version
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Razors are not all the same
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Hot Glue Choice (if you’re into it)
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Make Key Risers (The Dumb Way?)
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Making Replacement “Pearl” Rollers
Article: An Extremely Informal Comparison of Two Otherwise Identical Horns Save For Plating
Article: Ask a Saxophone Repairman: Should I Repad My Horn?
Article: Ask a Saxophone Repairman: Relaquering, Finding a Repair Person, Neck Cork, and More
Article: On The Forked Eb (aka Eb trill) On Vintage Saxophones
Article: A Possibly Wrong Primer On Engraving
Article: Saxophones On Which To Learn Repair
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic (Questionable): Stuck Roller Punch Out Jig
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Cork/Epoxy Risers – Long-Term Use Followup
Workshop
Article/Gallery: Airstream Saxophone Repair Shop
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: My New Repair Shop
Video: Airstream Sax Workshop: Wood Stove Heat
Video: Airstream Saxophone Repair Shop 2015
Video: Airstream Sax Workshop: NEW, Upgraded Wood Stove for Heat
Video: Saxophone Repair Shop (in an Airstream) Tour: Introduction
Video: Saxophone Repair Shop (in an Airstream) Tour: The Teensy-weensy Lathe
Video: Saxophone Repair Shop (in an Airstream) Tour: Dent station
Video: Saxophone Repair Shop (in an Airstream) Tour: Tools
Video: Saxophone Repair Shop (in an Airstream) Tour: Supplies
Video: Saxophone Repair Shop (in an Airstream) Tour: Wrap-up
Make/Model Specific Information
Buescher
Article: How To Say “Buescher”
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1929 Buescher True Tone Alto Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1959 Buescher “Super 400” Alto Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Buescher Snap-On/Snap-In Pads and Resonators
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: Buescher 400 “Top Hat & Cane” Tenor Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Buescher True Tone Tipped Bell Soprano
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: Buescher Aristocrat with “Improved Method” Soldered Toneholes
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Selmer (USA) Padless Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Pad Install With Buescher Snap-On Resonator
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Buescher Snap-On Spud replacement
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Buescher “Big B” Aristocrat tenor saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Example of Original Lacquer on a Buescher Big B
Borgani
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Modern Borgani Saxophones
Buffet
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Vintage Original Buffet Saxophone Resonators
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Buffet S1 Alto Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Buffet Super Dynaction Tenor Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Buffet Screw-in Saxophone Resonators (Installed)
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Buffet Saxophone “Sparkle Lacquer”
Conn
Article: Conn 6M “Transitional” Saxophones (comprehensive)
Video: Conn 6M “Transitional” Saxophones
Video: Old School Fix For Loose Conn Microtuner
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Conn New Wonder II Soprano Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: Conn F-mezzo Soprano Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Conn Transitional/Tranny Baritone Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Conn New Wonder I Tenor Saxophone (I was sour on this one because at the time these were being sold to unwitting folks as “basically the same as a 10M!”. I like them better now.)
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Conn F-Mezzo Soprano Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: Gold Plated Conn 12M Transitional Baritone Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1925 Conn New Wonder II Alto Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Assembly of the Conn Saxophone Microtuner
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Conn Pivot Screw Lock Screws
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Conn 10M Tenor Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Conn 26M and 30M “Connqueror” Alto and Tenor Saxophones
Video: Repairman’s Overview: C-Melody Saxophones (Super Rare Conn Used As Example)
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Conn Microtuner Work Holder
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1929 Conn New Wonder Transitional (4M) Curved Soprano
Video: Repairman’s Brief Overview: Conn Virtuoso Deluxe Soprano Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Old-Style Conn Saxophone Octave Mechanism
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Conn Saxophone Microtuner, Unsoldered
Video: Sax Repair Tool Review: Conn Microtuner Disassembly Tool
Video: Repairman’s WHAAAAT: Conn 10M Prototype Neck Magic
Video: Branford Marsalis Plays Ultra Rare Conn 10M Prototype
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1950 Conn 28M CONNstellation Alto Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Conn 10M Prototype Tenor Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Resoldering Conn NWII Microtuner
Article: Original 1931 Conn Alto Saxophone Warranty Booklet
Article: Low C# Stiff On A Conn 10M
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Conn 6M Low Eb “watershed” Feature (and why it is cool)
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Conn 30M & 26M Left Hand Pinky Table
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Conn 30M & 26M Low C# Key (and why it is cool)
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Pre-War Conn 6M Alto Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: The Conn-O-Sax!
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: Conn C Soprano Saxophone (Key of C)
Video: Repairman’s Show & Tell: Conn Transitional Alto Saxophone in Rare Burnished Gold Finish
Couf (Keilwerth)
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Couf Superba I Tenor Saxophone
Couesnon
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Unique Couesnon Tonehole
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Couesnon Monopole I Alto Saxophone
Holton
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: Holton 232 Alto Saxophone Octave Mechanism
Keilwerth
Article: Early Keilwerth Altos
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1930s Keilwerth Alto Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1947 Keilwerth New King Series II Saxophone
King
Video: Vintage Saxophone Original Setups: King Zephyr Special Tenor
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: 1939 King Zephyr Special Tenor Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: King Zephyr Special Saxophones
Video: Repairman’s Overview: King Super 20 and Zephyr Special Saxophone key pearls
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: King Super 20 Octave Mechanism
Video: Repairman’s Overview (Sprawling Mess Edition): King Super 20 Saxophones
Video: Repairman’s Overview (shorter version): King Super 20 Saxophones
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic (Niche): King Super 20 Eb/C Key Bumper Modification
Gallery: A King Feast
Kohlert
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1954 Kohlert Winnenden Tenor Saxophone
Leblanc
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Leblanc Rationnel/Semi-Rationnel Alto Saxophone (not overhauled)
Martin
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Martin “The Martin”/Committee III Tenor Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Martin Committee II Alto Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Martin “The Martin” Alto & Tenor Saxophone Neck Octave Key Spring
Video: Repairman’s Overview: 1927 Martin Handcraft Soprano Saxophone
Article: Fitting a Martin Committee (“The Martin”) Neck
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Martin Magna Tenor Saxophone, original gold plate
Video: What does the “RMC” mean on a Martin Saxophone?
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic (Quick): Martin Toneholes, Unsoldered
Powell
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Powell Silver Eagle Saxophone
Selmer
Video: Vintage Saxophone Original Setups: Selmer Mark VI Alto
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Selmer Octave Mechanism Witness Mark
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Original Selmer Saxophone Resonators (Tonex and Plastic)
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone with Low A
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Late Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone Factory-Installed Bow Patch
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Fully Engraved 1932 Selmer “Cigar Cutter” Alto Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: Selmer Balanced Action Alto and Tenor Saxophones
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Selmer Balanced Action Tenor & Alto Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Original Lacquer Overspray on Vintage Selmers
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Selmer Radio Improved Alto Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview Correction: 1930s Selmer Geared Octave Mechanism
Video: Repairman’s Quick Overview: 1929 Selmer Soprano Saxophone with 1939 Engraving
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Selmer Sax Spring-Loaded Pivot Screw Receivers
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Selmer (USA) Padless Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: How To Fit That Weird G# Rod/Pivot Combo on Selmer BA/SBA
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: That Troublesome Selmer Dent Near The Octave Pip
Video: Repairman’s Show And Tell: Gold Plated Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Show And Tell: Gold Plated Selmer Super (Balanced) Action Tenor Saxophone
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: (Questionable) Method to straighten Early Selmer Bell-to-body Brace
Article: Lacquer Overspray on Original Lacquer Selmer Saxophones
Article: The Original Mark VI Booklets In Their Entirety
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic (Questionable): Replacing The Blue on the Selmer Logo
SML
Video: Repairman’s Overview: SML Rev. D Tenor Saxophone
Video: SML Saxophone Feature Overview: Removable Neck Tightening Ring
Video: Repairman’s Downer: “Gold Plated” SML Saxophones: It’s not gold
Video: Repairman’s Overview: SML Coleman Hawkins Special (Part One, Pre-Overhaul)
Video: Repairman’s Overview: SML Coleman Hawkins Special Saxophones
Article: Black Pearls on Wartime SML Coleman Hawkins Special Tenor
Vibrato
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Vibrato Plastic Saxophone
Yamaha
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Yamaha “Purple Logo” YSS-62 Soprano Saxophone
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Vintage Yamaha purple logo 62R vs. modern Yamaha 82ZR
Video: Saxophone Repair Tip: How To Fix Loose Yamaha Adjusting Screws
Yanagisawa
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Yanagisawa 880 Tenor Saxophone
Article: Yanagisawa Factory Tour
Mouthpieces & Accessories
Video: Swollen Reed on a Flat Mouthpiece Table (My first video! Was not actually meant for public consumption.)
Article: Otto Link (The Man Himself) Refacing Article, 1950
Video: Repairman’s Overview: MeYeR Bros. New York alto saxophone mouthpiece
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Selmer Scroll Shank (Soloist) Saxophone Mouthpieces
Video: Old Saxophone Reeds
Video: Original Selmer Saxophone Springs
Video: Vintage Saxophone Mouthpiece Blank Before Finishing
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Best of the Berg Larsen Mouthpieces
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Vintage Otto Link Tone Master Baritone Saxophone Mouthpiece
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Vintage Dukoff Saxophone Mouthpieces
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Vintage Woodwind Co. New York Saxophone Mouthpieces
Video: Repairman’s Overview: Otto Link (New York) Tone Edge Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece, Original Box
Video: Saxophone Repair Topic: Hard Rubber Mouthpiece Dent Removal
Philosophy
Article: The Unprofitable Valley, or: Why So Much Stuff Is Mediocre
Article: On Learning a Craft
Article: Nobody Was Here
Article: Handmade in Wherever
Article: Why The Saxophone Is Beautiful and it is also in video form
Article: Putting Time Back On The Clock