4 Easy(ish) Repairs on a Cheap Soprano Saxophone 

5 years later: "If I get 1 million likes, I will give a way this five digit serial Selmer Mark VI tenor."

This is my chance finally getting Lade.

I am 71. I recently told my daughter that if I had a bucket list, getting a soprano sax would be top on the list. All through school, I played alto. I then carried that into community bands and church ensembles. I always loved it. Now my daughter plays it in shows. She switches between her flute or piccolo, a clarinet and my sax. If I get a soprano, she could add that to the family when I'm through with it. Long story shorter, WOW! Would I ever love this! Thanks for all the sax education you're providing here on youtube.

I low key did not expect the spongebob time card. Edit: Both of them.

Get a cat, so when you drop a tiny piece on the floor, just watch at where the cat is looking. I had to repair a ceiling fan, with teenie screws.....first, I got my cat, brought her into the room. Worked like a charm! Located all the dropped bits, via my cats eyes.

Man... you're making me want to pick up a dirt cheap saxophone Amazon and try doing this too! That kit from Music Medic looks like a life saver too, especially for the home repair person, or someone who just wants to repair their own horns.

Will the winner get a pair of white gloves as well? :D

These kind of videos are so helpful to someone like me who wants to start learning to do repair stuff to saxophones....i am tired of waiting for repair technicians and i am tired of bad repair jobs done .....please consider making more of those videos for both alto and soprano

Wow. I’ve never been this early. Just watched the first 10 seconds and already love the sound of the Sopran sax :)

I bought my old Amati Soprano Czechoslovakia 2 years ago, and I very happy with it ☺️

I've played strings since I was 12. As an educator, I've taught guitar, bass, and ukulele professionally to middle school students. Last week my wife and I ordered a Jsax and have started a new musical journey together. I cannot tell you how strange and wonderful it feels to be a student again. Thanks for the fabulous videos. Finding a strong community like the one you've harbored here is so important to new comers to the instrument. Keep up the great work!

Thanks Better Sax teacher...I just suffered a (cheap) soprano sax falling off the stand at rehearsal tonight. Now my low register is giving me problems...gonna drop a light inside of it for starters.

I love these sax repair videos and I’d love to see some more

I made a Soprano acquisition a couple months ago. It's an Allora Vienna series instrument. Bought a new Yamaha 4C mouthpiece for it and it's actually very good.

Really want a soprano, hope I win

Fantastic video Jay! Especially love your repair videos, especially when it's from a professional like you

Thank you for the show. I enjoyed it. It's early morning here and I'm planning on going busking soon. Cheers and good tidings from Arroyo Grande CA.

Ordered this (my first sax) from your link and it's coming in Friday! can't wait man. Thank you so much, can't wait to jump in.

Just a few years ago I decided a Selmar Bundy Tenor I had around had run it's course. Because I wanted to gain control of every little thing of any significance with my ongoing sax experience, I decided to use Stephen Howard's Saxophone Manual as a guide, and adjust keys and various things myself. Yes, I learned to make minor repair adjustments, and also learned the professional repair technician is the important control factor to know about when attempting repairs. Sax repairs take experience and caution has to be exorcised when making any repairs.

Great video Jay, you're a master👍👍👍

Hey just wanted to say that I absolutely love your videos! They help me practice an air saxophone(havent been able to get myself a real one yet :/) but nonetheless keep making you videos because they make people really happy!

This video was so helpful! it helped me find the solution to fix the low Bb key on my saxophone!

I start learning more about the saxophone after watch your video... Thanks slots & Hope can get it 💖

Thanks for the tips

I love your videos. I learn so much each time. You're a true craftsman.

Hey its nice to know that this sax can do the job well w a few repairments

Seeing the play in those keys, really hit home the importance of how the saxophone fits in the case...

Wow! Nice video. Good hacks to better repair sax!

Good demonstration

Could you eventually do a bari sax giveaway? I know they are really expensive, so the other saxes are totally priority over it. I love your videos. They've helped me sooooo much.

I'm really digging these "Repair" videos Jay. It's fascinating to see the mechanics of the saxophone being presented in such a friendly and accessible way. It'd be really cool to understand a bit more about the physics of the saxophone too (why it's conically shaped; why it's inherently out of key for some notes etc etc). Great video - thanks for sharing your awesome knowledge.

In for a penny, in for a pound. I love the sound of a Soprano. And I really appreciated learning about MusicMedic.com in this video! I have wanted to do some work on my 1933 Martin Handcraft tenor, including replacing neck cork. Watching you work was instructive and inspiring! Now I have a source of parts and tools. Thanks muchly!

With the duck bill pliers, I find if you wrap them with electricians tape you can completely avoid scuffs if you slip.

Great Video!

Been staring at this saxophone on Amazon for a while. Winning this would be a dream come true!

hello Better Sax, you play saxophones very well, congratulations.

I’m in for this. Great vids by the way

I love your videos. I've always wanted a soprano. I started on Alto, then Bari, then tenor. Looking to record in the studio again soon with a soprano. Fingers crossed. 🙂

Wow. Daughter would love this - she has an Alto and tenor....soprano would be awesome!

Good tip Jay; the other place that can cause prob's. is the conformity of the bore to the mpc, chamber, i.e., the turbulence factor, and what you alluded to, the neck tenon fit, which can affect a number of issues. Turbulence=response and intonation problems. the smoothness of the horn's bore size,...from mouthpiece to bell, is best without any bore ir-regulartie's. A pivot screw is generally "married" to it's respective key hinge; part of that being, if the horn was taken to a shop that doesn't have the proper thread screw or hinge rod, it may be tapped to a different thread size; If you're not careful, you can damage the post threads. The other factor of course being wear on a traditional fingering as opposed to an alternate. No two key mechs. have even wear/use obviously. One thing that quieted my horn down alot is use of ultra suede, and it helps with typical "right hand" bounce. Always liked the curved neck concept, especially if you play mostly Tenor and/or alto. Straight soprano almost requires a clar. oral cavity. Curve neck just makes more sense imho. one more tip for those interested; I LUBE HORN MECHS. WITH AUTO TRANS. FLUID, (SORRY 'BOUT THE CAPS) It's chem props are anti rust and the co-efficient range won't cause it to stiffen if you're playing in cold temps, and doesn't get the oxidation that key oil does. On case covers for flute and sax I use Conn super slick. Also works great for luggage. Hope I helped. Regards, Gary

Very good video

And love your stuff bro

I have been wanting to play the saxophone ever since I went to a concert and watched Kenny G playing his. That was about 30 years ago. I love the teaching you do on you tube. Thank you.

Thanks, I"m so glad it's a worldwide giveaway (if Gleam Terms are correct). I'm just a hobbyist musician, currently playing Nuvo Clarineo for fun to relax after a tough working day. I actually wanted a sax but I wasn't sure I would enjoy playing a reed woodwind instrument, so I didn't risk it with something expensive. Now I can play Clarineo good enough for my needs and I really enjoy it and feel ready for an upgrade.

Great job...

Brilliant-I know from my own cheap sax all those issues were there now fixed

Another great video, Jay. Thanks. I took delivery of a 1936 Buescher Aristocrat series 1 alto today. Beautiful sound; seems to be sealing well. Now I've got to get practising!

Super Video Bro

I only play soprano and fix all the problem by myself, your video is very helpful

I have already given the "Like" and I am seeing it approaching 4k.

Epic video

Yesss!!

Watching this because I was toing to practice but my sax that just came back from the shop yesterday has problems it didn't going in. Taking apart a sax looks so fun.

thank you for a chance! sharing on twitter and facebook.

Love these repair videos started on a saprano back many years ago l.love to win this one

You are my favorite music RU-vid channel!! You help me go through every issue and you are amazing musician! Hope I will win!!! And that you will get 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 subscriber's

Jay, greetings from Seoul. Please, do not forget to give us a tip to play the regular high notes on the soprano!

lov it

I have played the alto for so long and I want to try different saxes...I want to see which sax is my favorite! I like the tone of the soprano and it looks pretty rad too...me wanty plz

That bending the post was nerve wracking.

You sound pretty damn good on that cheap soprano!

Another great leak check s to place a thin rubber glove over the bell and if it inflates then there are no leaks.This only really works for alto and soprano-take off the mouthpiece first

I like how all the sites are on the site

I need this sax😆

Great

Id love to win this absolute beauty of an instrument!!! Ive been wanting to learn Soprano Sax for sooooo long! :)

I wish I could get a soprano, I’ve always wanted to play it and I have a chance to finally do so.

You should look into Allora saxophones. I’m using their professional alto and it’s amazing for 1000$. I saw their intermediate soprano model for 300$ once.

I want that soprano P.D love your videos

Its funny how you use your reed as an applicator. Hope I win this contest. Cheers to your channel!!!

Here's for trying

I really wish I could play Soprano Sax. I've always wanted to play it for the past 4 years. I currently play Alto Sax and want to try something new. I hope I get to win the Soprano, but knowing my luck it probably won't happen and the probability is against me. But to everybody who is trying to win the Soprano Sax: Good Luck to you🙂

I’ve been a musician for nine years (guitar, piano, alto sax, drums, etc. all of my instruments were recently sold and I’ve always wanted to play soprano. This giveaway would be amazing if I win it

I love the repair videos as I’m trying to become a casual repairman myself.

Can you explain circular breathing i learn a lot from you, and i would very much appreciate it if you made a video on it. i'm trying to do it but while breathing through my nose i'm stopping air flow in my mouth, in return not keeping a consistent air flow.

I’ve recently really wanted a soprano so hopefully I win 😁

you rock bro...xc

Keep up the good fight my friend. In these troubled times everyone would be better if they spent some time resonating a reed.

Great video. Weird thing happened to my alto (YAS-575). The horn was in my car trunk when I hit a pothole pretty hard and the bell twisted slightly in the bow joint enough that the bell keys wouldn't close. Repair tech slammed the bell sideways against his padded workbench a couple of times and it was fixed! A little adjustment and I was out in 20 minutes.

I need it :3

Hii sir 🥰 Very Amezing Giveaway 😍

I would love to find a good use sax to just set back, play and relax probably a alto or soprano

I just bought one of these Lade Sopranos about a month ago and I'm thinking they may have upped their QC. Mine didn't have any issues at all and it was wrapped inside the case when it was shipped to keep it from moving around. The neck corks are tight like Jay experienced but other than that I can't find anything wrong with it.

I hope I win this, I've always wanted to play soprano but was only allowed to play alto in 6th grade. My band director then held tryouts for tenor at the end of the year for who plays it in 7th grade but I didn't make the cut. I have since stuck with alto but still have this desire to play soprano, it sounds so smooth. Good luck to everyone.

I am fairly new to the Better Sax Channel.. I started playing on a Soprano Sax... do not have one any more... would be great to win it.

Great video! It is the giveaway contest international?

@Better Sax Jay, I've got a Soprano made in the UK by a small, but highly rated woodwind and brass maker. I think it may have a leak, as the keys from low E down 'motorboat' occasionally. I'm in another country and it would cost too much to send back, and my nearest repair shop is a 10 hour round trip away! Can you do a video on how to repair leaks. I have a leak light, so I can detect a leak, but there's not much online about how to fix one. Thanks for any help.

I bought two identical models of this soprano, one from Amazon and the other from Tomtop. The one from Amazon is very nice. Good resonance, weight, and the timbre is dark and rich with the Meyer 7 medium I bought for it. The response is as good as any sax I've ever played, vibrato and general control is remarkable even at pianississimo. I'm even hitting altissimo a and b in tune with my vandoren 2.5 reeds, which I permasoak. The ONLY two complaints I have is how absurdly sharp everything from high a and up is relative to their lower octave counterparts, but this could be a function of the mouthpiece. Also, #2, to get the Meyer hard rubber to fit on far enough to get the low octave up to pitch, the shank of the mp is almost touching the octave pad, and I had to shave and sand the cork down until I can literally see metal toward the end of the cork. The Tomtop sax was nearly unplayable. Relative to the Amazon unit, that horn's left hand palm stack - d, e,f - was positioned a good quarter to half inch back towards the player, making the keys very awkward. As an experiment, I also tried to swap both neck pieces from the Amazon sax to the Tomtop unit. The Amazon necks would simply NOT fit into the Tomtop, even after cleaning and wet sanding. When the Tomtop necks went into the Amazon sax, I could never tighten them enough to prevent a left to right pivot side to side. Not a spin mind you, but the things would rock back and forth. My suspicion is that these horns are coming out of multiple factories in China's "Saxophone Village"(it's a thang) or at least off multiple production lines with still very loose quality control. So, order from Amazon only. Also, be prepared to sand the hell out of the neck cork. As far as mechanical play and slop, this horn came out of the box with much less than I can ever remember my alto Yani a990 having. Jay, thanks for the review on this. As a non-musician professional and former music major, it was a sweet deal to finally grab a soprano-or two - to play with, and be confident it wasn't a total waste. After spending about 60 minutes a day for the last month solely on soprano and with a tuner app to spot check, 30 cent intonation issues up high are being solved by proper muscle and embouchure control. Honestly, I'd be very surprised if I could take a Selmers or a Yani out of the box and experience the immediate satisfaction that this horn gave me.

Tuned in late, thought Jay got a horn at IKEA...

That’s a nice beginner saxophone, if I win I’d like to request a jam session.😉😉

Hope i win it i really want a satb quartet next year :)

could you do a vid on those syos mouthpieces?

I'm gonna try to get that saxophone. I'm a senior and when I graduate, I won't have a soprano that I can use and I just can't have that. Wish me luck!

I, too, purchased a Lade Soprano from Amazon...my octave key does what it wants to, sometimes it will close and sometimes it won't. It appears the linkage is not functioning the way it should.

Eleven years with a Yamaha study Alto Saxophone, I really want to test a Soprano. I hope became the winner :/ !

I want that saxphone hope i win

Hi Jay, can you do a video on how various mouthpiece openings and reed strength affect how comfortable you can approach the soprano. Quick background: I use a basic Link Tone Edge 7 & D'addario 3M/3S Jazz reeds (filled and unfilled) on my Tenor! And it basically plays itself. Whatever setup I tried, the soprano is extremely unwieldy. Can I even translate techniques from the T to the S or is it a different beast entirely that you have to learn from scratch? Thx.

I want one course in Brazil .i am study saxofone but i need one a course of the saxophones maintenance!!sorry i don't speack english very well.but i like your video lesson

Gosh that alto sax looks like a photo

Hello! Enjoyed the video! I have a question. I purchased a cheap Amazon Chinese soprano sax. Sounds ok, but I’ve noticed that when I change necks, the whole intonation changes. Not sure what the cause is!! HELP!!! PLEASE!!