Klarinet Archive - Posting 000375.txt from 1995/01

From: Gerry Evoniuk <Gerald.Evoniuk@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Re: New Yamaha YAS-52 Saxophone
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 1995 13:22:25 -0500

Yes!! I have even done complete repads on instruments right out of the box
for serious players. At least 3 of those instruments belong to faculty at
major iniversities in Texas and Arizona. In my summer repair class I explain
to students the importance of an even crease (not deeper in the front than
the back), key cups properly centered over toneholes and the right amount
of glue and or shimming if necessary. With saxophone (more so than other
woodwinds) one can overcome adjustment problems just by squeezing a little
harder on the keys. Once you get in the habit of squeezing, your technique
and the ability to improve it can suffer because the muscles in your hands
and wrists are are so tense. Also little problems creep up that one
unconsciously compensate for. When the instrument stops working ( and it
usually happens right before an important performance or gig) and the repair
tech inspects it there are so many problems to correct he doenst know
where to start. Also it was playing right up until the time it died so it
must be something small. Right? Wrong!!!

At this point you will probably ask the tech to make it play for now and
you'll bring it back later. This messes up his schedule as he has work he
has promised other good customers and puts him in the position of doing
mediocre work. Some techs don't mind this and see it as a way of life others
see it as a major imposition.

More and more techs and dealers I talk to are taking the position "Poor
planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on our part".

My 2 cents. No flames intended, just the facts.

>I recently bought a YAS-52 sax from the Woodwind (a mail-order company
>introduced to me by someone on this list... I can't remember exactly who,
>but my heartfelt thanks go out to them). When I was shopping for
>saxophones at local music stores, a repairman mentioned that often
>instruments bought mail-order (or even locally) need adjustment even if
>they are new. Has anyone had any experience with this? I haven't
>noticed anything specifically wrong with it, but sometimes it seems like
>it could blow a little more freely. I guess my specific question is, is
>a new-sax checkup usually a good investment even if nothing seems to be
>wrong?
>
>Thanks for any input,
>
>David Brewer
>
******************************************
Gerald Evoniuk
Instrument repair technician
School of Music, Box 870405
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-0405
(602)965-4502
Fax 602-965-2659
email Gerald.Evoniuk@-----.EDU

and owner
Desert Winds Music Inc.
1889 E Broadway, Tempe, Arizona 85282