PADS STUCK

[TenorTim]

When I first get my sax out of the case, I notice that some of the pads are stuck. It takes a considerable amount of force to get these pads to open. After that they play fine and don't stick at all. Will this damage the pads over time? I clean the sax after each play and I let it dry for an hour or so before closing up the case. What else can I do to help prevent this?

[Hurling Frootmig]

I had that problem occassionally with G sharp with my Buescher 400 tenor and found that gigdust worked really well (www.gigdust.com).

What kind of horn and how old are the pads? There might some other issue that would lend itself to another solution.

[TenorTim]

I have a Jupiter 889SG tenor. I bought it new 4 months ago. Seems to do this mostly on the G# and low Eb keys, as well as the palm keys. I mainly worry that the initial "unsticking" when I first get it out of the case is going to cause the pads to wear or tear prematurally.

[Bill Mecca]

those are the usual suspects.

One thing that helps is to clean those particular pads before you put the horn away. Some of the newer pads are inherently sticky (the waterproofing).

http://www.gigdust.com, Charlie A has the cleaninf pads. I have also heard you can get similar material at a sporting goods store in the gun section.(can't remember what they are called)

Just slip one under the pad, hold the key closed and pull the pad thru, cleans and dries the pads very nicely.

[Hurling Frootmig]

Charlie's are called Crud Patches. I have heard that you can get something similar from beauty supply stores. The other patches are simply called Gun Cleaning Patches. You would probably want a larger caliber patch.

The patches from Charlie seem to be thicker than the patches I have used on small caliber firearms (and it's been a lot of years since I've used them).

[Scottysax73]

that stuff doesnt work, ive tried it. i think its just baby powder

[Hurling Frootmig]

I'm pretty sure it's not baby powder. It has a shiny quality to it that doesn't look like baby powder. I'm sorry it didn't work for you but all I can say is that it does work for me when I use it.

[Sergio]

I can't swear to it, but I believe it's mica dust. Gun people use it to lubricate cases before seating bullets.
Sergio