Sticky pads

[jazzbloke]

Went to blow my solo the other night & found my G sharp sticking like crazy. Very embarrasing!. Can anyone give me some advice on what to do to stop it or prevent it from happening again ? :oops:

[JL]

Go to Charlie A's website and get some gig dust & crud patch. That'll take care of it.

[mr00420]

I've had the same problem w/ my recently repadded Alto. Supposedly this problem should go away after the pads age enough... but I've already had the horn since mid-Feb. and play it atleast 4-5 days a week and it's still pretty chronic.

I've figured out what to do so it doesn't stick when I'm playing (it still always sticks when I first pull it out of the case.) I use a "Pad Life" like product: a liquid you place sparingly on your pads to keep them from sticking... this will eventually harden your pads (especially w/ over use) and, in my experience, only works for short periods when used as directed. I only use this when the G# pad gets really too sticky, or every couple of months (I personally don't want to prematurely age my pads...)

Along w/ occasional use of this stuff, there is something more useful that I use everytime I play: Selmer paper (I think it's called "Sheet L;" it's kind of a thin sheet of the same material those "no-soap needed" sponges are made of. They work buy absorbing any mositure off the pad and the tone hole, as well as cleaning off any gunk there.

Before I play, I put it between the pad and hole, close the key, and gently pull it out. Repeat if necessary. After that, the pad should be o.k., but sometimes it takes a few cleanings before the pad stops sticking entirely. I keep it next to me when I play. If there are any signs of stickiness, I clean it again.

Now, I clean the problem pads before and after I play. I never have any stickiness when I play, but at the beginning of doing this process, I still had to clean the G# pad one or two times when playing for a couple of hours.... now it's no problem though.

Most of the time, the sticky keys are the ones that are maintained closed: Low C#, Low Eflat, F# trill key, G#, D3-F(#,) rt. hand Bflat-C trill,etc. and the octave keys. You should clean these everytime before and after you play (it's not as bothersome as it sounds.) Along w/ preventing pad stick, it also prolongs the life of your pads.

I'm telling you, these sheets work really well. They're kind of pricey for just three sheets, but you're supposed to use them over and over again, so they can last you at least a year and a half (a conservative estimate.) If you buy the "Pad Life" liquid, use the sheet to apply it: just put some on the pad in approx. the same size as the pad, put the wet sheet on the pad for about five seconds, then use the clean side to wipe it off with. Using these two items should stop any chronically pad... though it requires repeating the process on various occasions (I guess until the pads get older and harder.)

Is this a new horn you're have problems w/, or have you had it repadded recently? When was it repadded? When did the problem start?

In the pad forum, there is another sticky pad topic w/ a lot of other advice (some a bit suspect)... including using baby powder, etc. so you can see other peoples techniques. It's probaby pretty far down, or on the second or third page by now.

[JL]

You could do all that, OR......I shoulda given you Charlie's web address:

www.gigdust.com

[Bill Mecca]

I've had the same problem (haven't we all?) Recently I've take to drying the pad with one of Charlie's Crud patches after playing, and even without the gig dust, it seems to be working so far. Get the pad dry and it shouldn't stick.

[jazzbloke]

Thanx you guys. The sax is about 5 yrs old ( buffet evette, not my best one, but my work horse.The gigs I do are a bit ' lively' sometimes ! ) The pads are in good condition, and not stuck before. I live in the U.K., so it's not always as easy to get the stuff you lot can across the pond, ( we're a little primative over 'ere ! ) but now at least I know what I'm looking for. Also, does anyone know any good books on basic saxaphone maintenance / repair, available in the U.K. ?. Thanx again people.

[Stencilman]

I have the Crud Patch but I've been using the little patches that are used to clean shotgun barrels to dry a few of the problem pads before I put the horn in the case. These patches are cheap and some are lint-free. See you sporting goods store.

[singlereed]

Hi Jazz bloke! Get the Dr Downing's Saxophone First Aid Doctor book - its about £2, most music shops have it, it's a great British product. You can get Crud Patches and Gig Dust from saxophones.co.uk. I find the Crud Patches make a lot of lint, I prefer a $1 bill (I don't wish to abuse the Queen's money for a job like that) and in extreme cases, I soak a cigarette paper with lighter fuel, shut the pad on it and gently pull it out.

[Lenny]

I have a few pads that always stick on both my horns - palm keys on the left side and G# & low D# . I've just been putting the horn away with a piece of paper or light card on those pads (palm keys get one so its 3 little pieces of paper).
This seems to take care of nearly the whole problem. My tech says it won't hurt the seal at all.
I'm not a pro so I don't how this would work under heavy use.

[mr00420]

J.B.- Do you drink before or during your set on stage? I bet you do!!! If so, this probably will make your pads sticky. Now I'd never suggest to stop ANY drinking ritual....so, just bring a tall glass of water w/ your drink. Chase it w/ water, kind of swish it around a bit before you swallow... or better yet, spit it out at your audience for dramatic effect! Don't forget to wag your tongue around a bit afterwards.

[Lyle]

I will repeat Lenny's good idea.

G# pad sticking? When I am done playing, I insert Charlie's Crud patch and leave it in. That allows pad to dry while its stored. The rifle cleaning patch sounds like a good idea as well. Sorry Charlie! :wink:

[Alabama_jazz]

I had the same problem when i was about to perform my solo in my concert and during the song i had nothing to clean my pad with... lol i pulled out a one dollar bill stuck it under my pad shut it then pulled it out really fast and my g# never stuck again.. pretty funny

[jazzbloke]

Great ideas here. If I ever get paid enough I'll do the same. It doesn't work as good with a pound coin.
Cheers,
Jazzbloke.

[JL]

If it's within reach, the tip jar is a good place to get quick access to a dollar bill for a quick fix on your sticky pad. Hopefully there is at least a dollar in there!!

[Big Jim]

Sticking Pads..Has anyone tried the old time Dollar Bill method. Put the "old" dollar bill between the opening and pad. Hold pressure on the pad and pull out the Dollar bill. In the old days this helped a lot. (not the Susan B. Anthony dollar..haha) Needs to be an old wrinkled up dollar bill. Hope this helps.
Big Jim

[saxfella]

A trick I've found useful is to put corks under the Low B/Bb guard after playing : two benefits 1) helps to make those low notes easier to play (a better seal of the pad) 2)keeps the g#key open all the time when the horn is in the case. Try it...
Simon

[iplaydasax]

put a rizzlar under it or a dollar note it seriously works 8)

[Transcriber-arranger]

If I had this problem, I'd be inclined to try slipping a little square of wax paper under the pad when storing the sax. Anyone ever try it?

Who'll be the first to tell me to confine my half-baked ideas to baking.

[Sigmund451]

I would stick..no pun intended...with non wax type materials. The last thing you want is for it to put deposits of waxy stuff on your pads and tone holes especially. If I were doing it (and I have) Id use a non dusty clean paper. Sooner or later the friction of removing the paper will likely lead to some build up...no real need for the wax.

[Vortex]

Don't mess around with all these specialty products for sticking pads. They's temporary fixes and won't do much for the long term, more of a "topical" fix than an "actual" fix.

The dollar bill method works if you've got a dollar fresh out of an ATM machiene, but don't use dollars that have been in circulation awhile. It's a proven fact that paper currency is some of the dirtiest material that's commonly handled (physically, not morally/ethically), and may just get all sorts of stuff on the pads that you don't want. In summary, dollar bills will work if they're fresh and clean.

Your best bet is probably to just go buy some (preferably ungummed) cigarette paper, but i'm not sure where to find it. Use that on your pads, easier to use than a dollar bill and certainly much cleaner.

Happy saxin 8)

[kcp]

Sorry Vortex, I have to respectfully dissagree here. The dollar bill trick does work but it belongs in the temporary fixes cathegory

As of the fresh bill from ATM machine thing goes... don't these machines give just 20$ bills and beyond? I mean you know, for the people who don't got much money in the bank and as far as the money thing goes for me, I'm a street player so I got mostly quarters, dimes and nickles... those are good for making the laundry, but they don't clean saxophone pads really good :?

So if I'm gonna go to the ATM withdraw 20$ everytime I get a sticky pad, I dunno man, plus they charge you like a buck something for each transaction :? One small bottle of Gigdust can last a very long time and fix many many many sticky pads all that for less than 20$ :D

Plus, speaking for myself only here... Would you imagine a street player running to the nearest ATM machine because of a sticky pad?? That's not very good for the image. What will people think?!?! :shock:

[frankbiff]

Why do pads stick? I have NEVER had a pad stick while playing!! I paled R&R /R&B for about 10 yr ('70s) and have started plying again, still with no sticking pads. The only time a pad sticks is sometimes the first opening when stariting to play, but after that I have never had a pad stick. I use a '72 MKVI tenor with mostly original pads ( a few new, mainly plam keys). So whats up, why the sticky pads, or why don't I have them.

Could it be some newer pads are no good? Or what you eat? or something in your saliva?

[jazzbluescat]

I rarely have a sticky pad, also. However, I always check the G#, low C# and Eb before I play, just to be on the safe side.
I watch what I eat and drink.

[Vortex]

[quote="Kim C Pelletier"So if I'm gonna go to the ATM withdraw 20$ everytime I get a sticky pad, I dunno man, plus they charge you like a buck something for each transaction :? One small bottle of Gigdust can last a very long time and fix many many many sticky pads all that for less than 20$ :D[/quote]

I already said the dollar bill is a "temporary fix", just buy some very thin fine paper (you can buy specialty paper online but it costs more than the stuff they sell at gas stations) and that'll actually elminate the problem for the $1 you'd spend on an ATM transaction :D

[alsdiego]

I use Sight Savers. They work great, and the fix lasts a long time. Plus, they're cheaper than dirt.

Al

[werkinsnake]

For those of you who have fogotten to pack gig dust, crud patches, or cleaning papers in your gig bag, just use a simple good ol American Dollar Bill. They have saved me in a pinch more than once.

[orions_belt27]

A trick I've found useful is to put corks under the Low B/Bb guard after playing : two benefits 1) helps to make those low notes easier to play (a better seal of the pad) 2)keeps the g#key open all the time when the horn is in the case. Try it...
Simon

whoa whoa whoa, i've heard alot of people do this, but the last time i did, it resulted in a whole lot of leaking problems. the pressing of the pads against the tone holes throws off the alignment.

i'd still go with placing some cleaning paper under the problematic pad :)

[Saxboy22]

One thing you could do is put a pack of zig zags in your case or any kind of cigarette rolling paper it may look kind off suspicious but hey you rub those on your pads and they obsorb the moisture and stop the stickyness! :lol: if your under 18 youll probably havta have your parents buy them :wink:

[BobD]

I recently bought a Ref36 tenor from Rayburn music here in Boston. When I was testing it before I bought it the G#, C#, Eb kys were sticking and there was a leak somewhere. Emilio spayed the offending pads with lemon oil(I guess it's for furniture) and the pads stopped sticking and the leaks disappeared to the point that the horn played great. So try lemon oil.

[Subtone Sam]

Wipe the pad with lighter-fluid,it doesn't hurt pads and gets rid of the stickiness.GiGDust works too when used couple of times.

[sjabariiii]

I second Emilio's lemon oil. It may decrease the life of the pads by a year or two, but they play like butter.

Yo Bob, a ref 36?! what happened to the series 3?

[BobD]

sjabariiii,

I actually bought a Yani soprano that just sat there. Everytime I picked it up I felt like I should be practicing the tenor. I kept it for 3 months and decided it just wasn't for me at this point. I have so far to go on the tenor that I don't need another horn to distract me. Also, although the III was the easiest horn I've ever played it was just too much on the edgy, aggressive side. So, instead of selling them I just went to Rayburns and traded for a Ref36. The 36 has a smoother, darker sound and the keywork is very similar to a VI. It also plays very easy. The low end drops right out and the high end is nice and fat(at least as fat asd I can make it).

So what kind of lemon oil do you use and how do you apply it?

[sjabariiii]

I use Old English, and just dab it on the pads with a folded pipe cleaner. I do it once every few weeks. I probably use more than is necessary but one bottle has lasted me about 7 years and it's still over half full.

[steve]

I remember reading somewhere in this forum that an old dollar bill works best because it has oil on it from being handled...and this imparts just enough "grease" to the pad to stop the sticking. Slide the bill onto the pad....close the key and pull gently. I always put an old bill under the G# pads when I put the horns away...works well for me.