Neck Trouble

[91saxist]

Hey,
I just got my brand new sx90 a few weeks ago. What i noticed is that the place where the neck goes in is a little tight. When i put my neck in, it takes a little more force than im used to on my alto and other tenors ive tried. and the same applies when i try to take my neck out. at first, i thought this was just something taht all new horns went through and that it would loosen up or soemthing, but it hasnt changed.

The neck problem isnt severe, its just a little annoying somettimes. Cork grees doesnt really work well over tehre.. does anyone have any suggestions or do i have to get a new neck or send something to a tech (hoping i dont have to do anything like that)

I've tried taking the screws that tighten on the neck all the way out and everything, but it doesnt seem to change anything.

any suggestions would be appreciatted
thanks

[brasscane]

Don't use cork grease. I helps shorthly but later the grease retains dirt and makes the problem worse. You can try to wipe both tenon and receiver extensively with a dry cloth or gently use 0000 or finer steel wool (not coarser!). If that doesn't do it, you need to have your repairman adjust the tenon.

[shmuelyosef]

I concur...keeping the tenon and socket really clean and polished (like with 0000 steelwool or Hagerty's) works much better than grease. You do want as tight as practical (but no tighter). Sounds like it's fitted perfectly...clean and polished...

[Hardy]

I agree - don't worry, my Keilwerth also has a tight fit. It's got to be that way for a perfect seal. German precision, that's it.

[saintsday]

If you already used some cork grease on it, use some lighter fluid on a clean cloth and clean off both the neck and the inside of the tenon. If you don't get the grease off, as already stated, it will eventually make it worse.

[91saxist]

I know its supposed to be tight, but it seems tighter than the other saxes my friends have for instance.

Im just worried that i might break somethign when i put hte neck in because i have to apply a considerable amount of force and thers really no where thats "safe" to grip on the neck. I dotn want to bend somethign for instance.

And with the steel wool, do u mean like sort of sanding off parts of the neck at the the base so it'll fit?

[brasscane]

I could be wrong but what is causing you problems is likely next to nothing. You might be taking of an absolute miniscule amount of material with OOOO steel wool and I do mean miniscule, NOT sanding. You can also try to clean tenon and socket with acetone but beware of the finish on you sax. Just dampen the cloth and don't go anywhere close to the laquered areas.

[jaybailey]

I had the exact same problem with my Selmer and the neck being too tight. My son was playing it for a little while (before he got his Keilwerth) and he's only 11, so he couldn't get the neck on and off the horn by himself.

Someone here suggested the 0000 steel wool. All I did was wrap the steel wool around the tenon and twist it back and forth around the neck a few times, much like you are cleaning copper pipe for soldering, if you've ever done any of that. The neck tenon will end up been shiney and *very* smooth.

Voila! Neck still fits tightly, but can be inserted or removed now without using excessive force.

I would recommend cleaning the "debris" off of the neck after steel wooling it - steel wool tends to leave metal micro-fibers that wouldn't be good to get into the horn. I just took a clean towel and wiped the tenon of any "steel wool dust" when I was done.

Also, as the original poster warned me, be careful not to steel wool the laquered parts of the neck where it connects to the horn!

Good luck.