Lower Key Guards!

steevihn

steevihn

This is probably in the wrong discussion group, sorry! )~:

So my Mark VI alto has a loose key guard on it. It's the cover for the low C# key. Whenever I play down past a certain point it begins to vibrate probably damaging the body and making some pretty annoying sounds. Does anyone know if there are any DIY repairs for this? (The part of the guard that physically attaches to the body is no longer attached. However, the key is free from any kinds of dents, bends, or any other kind of cruel mutilation. The screw is still in place. Pictures can be posted if need be.) I'm in college and can't really afford to take my horn to a repair person. I'm also in a strange city and don't really trust anyone with my horn here.

~IN SHORT~

The key guard is no longer attached.
Can I reattach it with cork cement or something like that? (I forse a problem with adhesives being put on the body of the horn.) Or do I have to just deal with it for a few months until I can afford to send it home to get repaired?
 
What you are describing is the key guard foot that has come unsoldered from the body. Trying to glue it back together is generally not a good idea since it doesn't hold very well and makes the proper repair more difficult and expensive. What you could do as a temporary measure is to hold that portion of the keyguard down with a long twist tie or plastic tie down that goes around the body of the instrument.

Most repair techs with some degree of experience can quickly and easily re-solder a guard foot, which is not an expensive repair. The only thing that might happen is that a bit of the lacquer may get singed a bit depending on the cosmetic condition of the sax. If you tell us where you are, perhaps someone can recommend a tech who could do this for you.
 
Well, the sax is part of the 1960 batch of Mark VI altos. The sax was used pretty extensively by my Grandfather before I got it. The Laquer already has a few spots where it's been messed up because of repairs. I wouldn't really mind since I really have no intention of selling it anytime soon unless I come across another sax that can get the superb warm classical sound that this one gets.
I'm located in LA. However, my main shop (RDG) doesn't service saxes, or if they do I wouldn't really trust a Clarinet/ Double Reed specialist with a vintage sax.
Thank you so much for the information jbtsax!
 
Mile Cleveland at Horn Improvement is one of the very best in southern Cal. However, it doesn't take a saxophone specialist to re-solder a key guard foot. Any brass tech could do an excellent job, if that is all your sax needs.
 
DITTO - Same problem on my Mark VI

jbtsax said:
What you are describing is the key guard foot that has come unsoldered from the body. Trying to glue it back together is generally not a good idea since it doesn't hold very well and makes the proper repair more difficult and expensive. What you could do as a temporary measure is to hold that portion of the keyguard down with a long twist tie or plastic tie down that goes around the body of the instrument.

Most repair techs with some degree of experience can quickly and easily re-solder a guard foot, which is not an expensive repair. The only thing that might happen is that a bit of the lacquer may get singed a bit depending on the cosmetic condition of the sax. If you tell us where you are, perhaps someone can recommend a tech who could do this for you.
Click to expand...


I discovered this exact problem on my Mark VI yesterday. I appreciate the info here. However, my Mark VI is as close to perfect original, including lacquer (99.99%) and would like a way to reapply the post without damaging the finish. I am the original purchaser 40 plus years ago, and the only one who has played this amazing Sax. It has always been treated lovingly, carefully cleaned after each use, etc.
Is there any alternative that would not damage the lacquer, or can a small portion of the lacquer be repaired - though it would be hard to match the rich honey color that the years have added to the original. Though I do not plan to sell, I also do not want to damage or decrease the value - which as you know - these Saxes are pulling ridiculously high prices.
 
Sadly, if you want a proper, like original to the instrument, repair, you are going to have to settle for some lacquer damage. As stated above, a good technician can fix this with minimal damage to the lacquer, but some is going to occur, no matter how meticulous the approach.

Put another way, having it "sprung loose" from one of its three attachment points is asking for further damage. If it snags on something while you are indecisive about the repair, you could end up with more damage to the guard, and quite possibly to the body of the instrument.

Bite the bullet, get it done, and you'll have a integral sax with just a little more character...
 
> can a small portion of the lacquer be repaired - though it would be hard to match the rich honey color that the years have added to the original.
Yes it can and no it's not, to both the question and rhetorical comment.

FWIW, you're talking about a couple centimeters square. You're not going to notice it and, if you ever sell the horn, you might have to knock all of about $15 from the price. Hey, the VIs I've seen sell in the 5-digit $ range -- I'm not saying yours would anyhow -- weren't perfect, either.
 
If you are referring to a key guard foot (and not an actual post), then there is a possibility that a skilled tech could re-solder it in place by applying a very small flame inside the saxophone directly under the foot, and not mar the lacquer on the outside. To get access to do this might require removing the bell section. If that has been soldered in place, then of course that would not be an option.

As to the question about whether a small section of the lacquer can be repaired, it is easier if you are matching the color on a separate component like a keyguard or metal thumbrest that can be lacquered apart from the saxophone and then reattached. Touching up an area on the body that is surrounded by unblemished lacquer is next to impossible. Efforts to do so generally look worse than doing nothing in my experience.
 
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