Pro Overhauls

An overhaul is a full mechanical restoration of the saxophone. Classic Winds overhauls include complete disassembly of the instrument, body tube straightening, dent removal in body and neck, leveling of tone holes and key cups, extensive key fitting between the posts, polishing of all rods and screws, chemical cleaning and polishing, replacement of pads, replacement of all corks with natural cork and modern synthetics to provide lasting regulation and to reduce mechanical noise, and a professional setup to insure proper intonation and response.

We also offer complete refinishing of saxophones, protecting them from further metal decay and extending their usable life for another generation. This service involves removing the old lacquer finish or polishing out problem areas of plated instruments, re-cutting the engraving on the bell, then applying a brand new plated finish in silver or gold, with the choice of a satin or bright texture. Our satin texture (glass bead blasted) is created in exactly the same way as the great American instrument makers, and it will give your instrument the same visual look as a new instrument from the 1920s. The picture at the top of this page shows a new bead blasted satin finish on bare brass. We prefer the bead blasted finish because it does not require extensive buffing of the saxophone. Excessive buffing will weaken the structural integrity of the instrument and will adversely affect the tone quality (making it thinner and brighter). This service can only be offered in conjunction with a complete mechanical restoration, as the instrument is taken down to the bare brass. The price varies with the different sizes of saxophones and we quote this service separately.

Other improvements that we offer and are priced separately:

• Intonation adjustments by adding tone hole crescents to modify tuning

• Intonation package for Buescher saxophones, involving replacing/modifying the neck octave vent and applying tone hole crescents to modify tuning of individual notes.

• Addition of a C-Bar, which reduces excessive sharpness on high C# and the palm keys

• Palm key risers fashioned from cork and coated with epoxy

• Low B-flat key extension

Pad Options (added to the price of a restoration):

• Traditional tan leather with plastic or metal resonators - +120.00

• RooPads with metal resonators - +200.00

• RooPads are made of fine kangaroo leather, known for its resilience, longevity and tonal qualities. The leather is available in white, black and a chocolate brown. Each offers a slightly different feel under the fingers, and can give more projection (black and brown pads) than the white Roos or traditional leather pads, all without losing the instruments inherent tone quality.