JS metalplated pads

[Mark R]

I couldn't decide whether to post here or under the pad section. I think it is another very special innovation that Jim Schmidt has come up with for sax players that want to "kick it up a notch". Originally I had the JS synthetic pads installed on my #72xxx MKVI tenor. I knew it was a great material, concept , design and also knew there were many very happy and satisfied players that had these pads for several years so I took the plunge. Once I got the horn back it really didn't seem to have the response for me that I had hoped for. I contacted Jim Schmidt and he was very helpful trying to address my personal issues about the pads performance........

Beautiful thing...talk about a guy always trying to improve upon a great thing Jim called me and says "Mark, I think I have something we might want to try with a new pad I've been working on...only catch is we won't know how it is going to respond until we put'em in someones' saxophone." Well I received my saxophone back from the installation of these very nice, beautiful and great feeling pads and my MKVI is really,really very resonant, vibrant and more alive than ever. To me these pads are akin to going from a regular flat screen TV to High Definition and really takes the sound from 2 to 3D....really bold, robust, articulate and crisp. These new pads are making my horn respond with greater playing ease and have that sonic pop and punch I was after.......I know with my description it sound like it just made it louder with more projection but it really has no problem also backing down for subtones and such.......I feel like I've gone from manual to power steering.

These pads are really killer Jim , thanks so much for letting me be the test pilot. I think you have a real winner here especially for players that like to push the envelope a bit and dig oversized resonators and a lively horn without being shrill. The concept behind these pads is that it makes the entire pad surface a resonator using more of the same material the horn is made of...metal instead of leather or nylon......I highly recommend these for contemporary players, I am very happy with the results :USA: :twisted: :P Check 'em out at http://cvip.fresno.com/~js210/pad.html

[Mike Ruhl]

Sounds like just the thing for a King Super 20 tenor. :USA:

[Gandalfe]

MarkIV, how much more did these cost than regular pads, or did you get a deal 'cuz you were the first. Does this pad job improve your atissimo?

[Mark R]

Gandalfe,

"how much more did these cost than regular pads" ,
As compared to the JS Synthetic pads I belive Jim sells the original JS Synthetic pads for $100.00 per set and these metalplate pads are priced at $175 per set. Jim decided to contact me about these new metalplate pads first because we had been emailing each other for a while and he knows I am into the full throttle "Texas Tenor" big, open bold sound. He also knows I am a major gearhead and love to experiment......knowing I am of an adventurous nature he asked if I wanted to consider giving these pads a try. There was no way to know if the metalplate pads would work out unless he put them in someones horn. Jim also knows I am very sensitive to the tonal aspect and knew I would not pull any punches if I thought the new pads sucked, therein is why he was interested in letting me give'em a try because he knows I give honest feedback about products. One very important aspect about installing the JS Synthetic pads is your toneholes have to be absolutley, completely level. I recommend whomever does installation use JS tonehole files listed on Jim's site.....before sending my horn to Jim I was under the impression my toneholes were fairly level.....they weren't in terrible shape but definatley in need of re-leveling by Jim.


"Does this pad job improve your atissimo?"

To me the major factors for achieving good altissimo has more to do with the horn being in good adjustment concerning key heights and pads sealing correctly without leaks...not really what pads or resonators are used....I think for me at least the most major factor on altissimo production comes down to air stream placement, mouthpiece, baffle profile and ligature rather than the pads. Now I do believe the type of pad and resonator do affect the tone quality and nature but not altissimo....A sidebar on the altissimo issue. Crazy thing is I can get higher on my Martin Imperial tenor (circa 1935) than my more modern Selmer MKVI tenor (circa 1957) so I think the body tube bore, neck and alot of other things factor into altissimo rather than the type of pads used.

After reviewing my first post which was very much posted in haste during my "new toy syndrome" with these metalplate pads I feel I wrongly discounted Jim's original JS Synthetic pads. IMHO just like mouthpieces , horns , necks, ligatures, reeds......your mileage may vary as to what will work best for you. The original JS Synthetic pads are superb as well as many contributor's here at SOTW can attest to and are a great alternative to traditional leather pads.....also many players have been happily using them for several years without having to replace even one nor worry about the pads sticking.

To find out which JS Synthetic pad would work best for your style of playing and what you are after I highly recommend you consult with Jim to see what would be optimum for your set-up. The metalplate pads are IMHO designed with players that like oversized resonators and such in mind. Hope this answers your questions 8)

[Mark R]

I feel compelled to give an update now that I've had the pads for a little longer. I am even more happy now than when I first got the horn back. I think the pads have broken-in a little more and I am loving the way my horn is playing. The feel, response and enjoyment I am getting playing with these pads is awesome , tremendous. I could not be more pleased with the outcome of trying these new pads. I really love every aspect of what it has done to the tone, the key action and ease of range both in dynamics and notes are coming out from low Bb to G4 with no hesitation or problems.

Jim Schmidt , my hat is off to you on these pads , I really love them. I would be very interested in what these great pads would sound like on a Keilwerth or vintage Conn, Martin or King........Just breathtakingly outstanding. I give these pads 5 stars :mrgreen: :twisted: :roll:

[MusicMedic]

We just added Jim Schmidt's new Metalized pads to MusicMedic.com. Anyone that wants to try them is welcome to buy one or two from the ordering system. We have them in sets as well.

I have used and enjoy the JS pads. They require a very flat tone-hole, they don't stick, and they offer a positive feel. We offer the pads as an option in our repair shop.

[jim schmidt]

In an effort to get more of these pads into the right hands. I have lowered the price to $150 per set. I have to charge this much because it literally takes hours to make a set of these metalized pads. Fabricating the metalized surface requires a very special process and expensive materials are used. The high temperature plastic backing material costs $2 an inch for the larger sizes. Machining is involved etc.

But you get what you pay for and that makes it all worth it.

Jim Schmidt

see the brass pads at
www.jsengineering.net

also available through musicmedic.com

[torzn]

are they available with noyek resonators?

[Stencilman]

You can order them with Noyeks from either MusicMedic or directly from Jim. I went down the path of ordering them with Noyeks but Jim voiced some concern about the pads sealing properly with bevelled toneholes on my Martin Handcraft. I decided to stay with my pad of choice: RooPads with Noyeks.

[jim schmidt]

Jon

Please describe the beveled toneholes on your Martin. How wide was the flat area that contacts the tonehole? I have seen Martins with very thick toneholes. The tonehole rims were very wide at the pad contact point. This wide contact area is unusual and I would like to know how wide yours are, Over 1/32"? Or are they beveled (chamfered) so that the contact point is narrow?

JS pads are now available in Gold ($175) or Silver ($150)

Jim
www.jsengineering.net

[Stencilman]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for your response. The tonehole surface on my early 1930's Martin Handcraft tenor is about 1.8mm (0/16" I think) on the lower keys (low C, Eb). These particular toneholes had obviously been worked on before I bought the horn. The more you grind on these early Martins toneholes, the larger the surface area gets.

Do you believe that even if these toneholes are absolutly flat, the metal pads might not seal? I sure would like to get a set of these pads on one of my horns one day, but I'm pretty much set on playing these early Martins.

Thanks!