This post is just to remind myself, who lives in a capitalist society and is addicted to buying stuff, to just chill out and find cheap solutions.
So lately I've been less than enamored with my beloved '36 Buescher Aristocrat tenor. It's been playing okay but sounding a bit harsh. It does need work and ultimately I will get it overhauled mainly to restore it's sloppy key action to be as tight as my minty low hours '35. When I bought the horn last year within a week the bell to body brace popped and one of the key guards fell off so I took it to KB Sax where he straightened it out. He told me the pads are good but challenging to work with, they aren't the best quality and if it's a keeper I should ultimately get it overhauled.
An art deco Buescher Aristocrat isn't worth all that much dough. And this one was de-snapped, there is no lacquer left, it's an ugly beauty. I can't think about getting 'my money back out of it' if I ever needed to sell it but....it's that good so I have no intention of selling it.
So anyway, I still had the neck cork on from when I purchased it. That was 18 months ago. And for the last 6 months I've been using that bad for the environment teflon tape. So last night I had myself a neck cork changing party. Did both of my Buescher tenors...
Didn't get a chance to play until tonight and I got the most satisfying 2 hour practice session I've had in a while in. Everything sounds better, plays better, I didn't want to stop but need to go to bed!
See, in my consumer mind the noise goes like this: You're not satisfied. Look on EBay, SOTW, Reverb at saxes. Maybe it's time for a Selmer Balanced Action? ($5k-$8k). Or maybe another vintage Otto Link like a Double Line one ($1k-$2k), or another neck (Chinese made $80 to USA or German or Dutch $1.2k) and on and on and on.
When your horn isn't tight it's harder to get inspired, harder to practice. Easy for me to fantasize. The last thing I wind up thinking is "maybe it's just a little leak up top, or maybe it's just the neck cork, or maybe I could spend the money on a lesson...."
I do know when it's my reed. It took me years to settle on the brand I use now, and that would trip me up. Buy a new horn when I really just needed to listen to that cat who years ago told me: "You're playing those blue box Vandoren reeds? You working to hard bro!"
I bought a stack of 10 neck corks on EBay for about $12 shipped. I followed instructions from Music Medic and also have watched the pros do it enough times to know, that is something I can handle myself. I bought 10 just in case I mess up. I did the first time, the second time I got it. And now like I said, I get to remember that I have a horn that I would envy if it were my brothers or sisters! Gone is the notion that I need anything else except more sleep, and more time on my horn. I got a good one! We'll keep making music together for years to come!
JB
So lately I've been less than enamored with my beloved '36 Buescher Aristocrat tenor. It's been playing okay but sounding a bit harsh. It does need work and ultimately I will get it overhauled mainly to restore it's sloppy key action to be as tight as my minty low hours '35. When I bought the horn last year within a week the bell to body brace popped and one of the key guards fell off so I took it to KB Sax where he straightened it out. He told me the pads are good but challenging to work with, they aren't the best quality and if it's a keeper I should ultimately get it overhauled.
An art deco Buescher Aristocrat isn't worth all that much dough. And this one was de-snapped, there is no lacquer left, it's an ugly beauty. I can't think about getting 'my money back out of it' if I ever needed to sell it but....it's that good so I have no intention of selling it.
So anyway, I still had the neck cork on from when I purchased it. That was 18 months ago. And for the last 6 months I've been using that bad for the environment teflon tape. So last night I had myself a neck cork changing party. Did both of my Buescher tenors...
Didn't get a chance to play until tonight and I got the most satisfying 2 hour practice session I've had in a while in. Everything sounds better, plays better, I didn't want to stop but need to go to bed!
See, in my consumer mind the noise goes like this: You're not satisfied. Look on EBay, SOTW, Reverb at saxes. Maybe it's time for a Selmer Balanced Action? ($5k-$8k). Or maybe another vintage Otto Link like a Double Line one ($1k-$2k), or another neck (Chinese made $80 to USA or German or Dutch $1.2k) and on and on and on.
When your horn isn't tight it's harder to get inspired, harder to practice. Easy for me to fantasize. The last thing I wind up thinking is "maybe it's just a little leak up top, or maybe it's just the neck cork, or maybe I could spend the money on a lesson...."
I do know when it's my reed. It took me years to settle on the brand I use now, and that would trip me up. Buy a new horn when I really just needed to listen to that cat who years ago told me: "You're playing those blue box Vandoren reeds? You working to hard bro!"
I bought a stack of 10 neck corks on EBay for about $12 shipped. I followed instructions from Music Medic and also have watched the pros do it enough times to know, that is something I can handle myself. I bought 10 just in case I mess up. I did the first time, the second time I got it. And now like I said, I get to remember that I have a horn that I would envy if it were my brothers or sisters! Gone is the notion that I need anything else except more sleep, and more time on my horn. I got a good one! We'll keep making music together for years to come!
JB
just had my neck cork replaced in Brooklyn - it was $30. I'm not a DIY person, unfortuntetly.
ReplyDeleteWell, still cheaper than a new piece, or new horn. So it's a good thing!!!
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