Woodwind Instrument Repair
Saxophone Repair in Buffalo, NY
Brass Monkey Music in Buffalo, NY repairs saxophones — alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone. Services include leak diagnosis, pad replacement, tone-hole leveling, full repads, and complete mechanical overhauls with ultrasonic cleaning.
If your saxophone is not playing properly, the cause is usually a leak somewhere on the instrument. Our technicians have the skill and experience to diagnose where the leak is and what is causing it.
Common reasons a saxophone leaks
- Torn or worn pads
- Build-up on the tone hole
- Tone hole unlevel from dents or a bent body tube
- Pad cups misaligned with their tone holes
- Posts unsoldered or shifted
- Keys not fitting tightly between posts
- Keys out of regulation
- Missing or compressed key corks
- Neck not fitting tightly to the receiver
Leather saxophone pads age, dry out, shrink, harden, and tear — eventually losing their ability to seat against the tone holes. Constant exposure to saliva, food residue, and condensation will eventually cause the instrument to stop playing. We stock only the highest-quality pads with leather sealing surfaces and dimensional stability so your instrument plays its best for as long as possible.
Re-pad and full overhaul
When you bring your saxophone in for a re-pad or overhaul, the instrument is completely disassembled, ultrasonically cleaned, and all pads and corks are replaced. The instrument is then reassembled, pads are seated, and corks are adjusted so that with an ultralight touch, your instrument has an airtight seal and plays better than new. Overhaul work adds an additional level of craftsmanship: each key is fitted to have zero lost action, every tone hole and pad cup is leveled, and rusty hinge rods, screws, and springs are replaced. Cosmetic dents that don’t affect playability but drive the player crazy will be removed. Call 716-213-7423 for a quote.