Are pad thicknesses pretty standard? (Intonation)

[BruceW]

Play a note. Any note. If you very slightly press the next key, the tone changes, telling me just how sensitive a saxophone is for good intonation. This also tells me that if you replace a pad with one that is slightly thicker or thinner, it will affect the intonation.

Are pads pretty much the same thickness or do Yamaha owners need to stick to Yamaha pads, Selmers with Selmer pads, etc?

[Paul Coats]

The thickness required depends on the mechanism. If a thick pad is used to replace a thin pad, when the key is closed, the pad will touch first at the side near the hinge line, and not seal on the other side. If a thin pad is used to replace a thick pad, the opposite occurs... it will leak at the side nearest the hinge. Each such pad would need to be shimmed (cardboard spacer behind the pad) it to get it to seat properly.

The intonation vs. pad opening problems you speak of are taken care of by adjusting the cork bumpers on the key "feet".

The pads the manufacturers use, including the top companies, Selmer and Yamaha, are not particularly impressive. Good, but not great pads. Saavy players will have premium pads installed, with a choice of resonatore that best suits the instrument and player.

Lately I have been using the Roopads and Saxgourmet pads from Musicmedic.com. Yes, these pads cost about twice as much as the stock Selmer or Yamaha pads (and they buy their pads from pad mfgs). I and my customers think these premium pads and resonators are well worth it.

I also like the Prestini PS220 type pads, which have a firm felt, as do the pads from Musicmedic. I don't like thick, spongy pads when I am trying to do a professional setup. And I use "too much shellac" and float them, heat stabilizing them. I don't just clamp and bend keys to adjust the pad seating. Heat stabilizes the pads.

At the same time, I fit each pad with the largest resonator that will not hit the edge of the tone hole. A more resonant sax can play louder AND softer.