My Pierret Super Artiste

[HansKB]

Hi saxlovers, I just bought a very dirty old Pierret Super Artiste alto sax! It needs lots of work but that is my hobby. Let me introduce you: http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/wavesms/Pierret/th_pierret.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/wavesms/Pierret/?action=view¤t=pierret.jpg)

or more detailed pictures:
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/wavesms/Pierret/?albumview=slideshow so you can see the abuse they did to it. The former owner had it " cleaned" by someone using a steelbrush and there are many small scratches all over. Now I have a forum question for you. When I get it all cleaned (perhaps a new layer of silver even) what would be the proper pads to buy for it? Right now I am still applying oil to get the screws loose so it will take some time to get to there. I am very exited about this sax as I never saw this model before. Too bad that nearly all the photo's are missing in the Pierret section of Saxpics, I hope they will come back.

[milandro]

congratulations on your new saxophone, you have now a considerable bulk of saxophones in your collection but this must be, by far, the best one!
I think that there are basically two possibilities one is a historic restoration and the other one is a functional one. The first one would have to reproduce, as closely as possible, the original set up, the other one is to restore it with the best or most suited materials to provide you with the best possible horn to play. So if you like, for instance, black roo pads with large resonators why not going that way?

[HansKB]

Thanks Milandro, that is a good option to consider and for sure I want to play it! I was also searching for a good penetrating oil to get the screws moving, then I found on this forum Ferree's J88 http://www.ferreestools.com/Cover%201%20thru%20pg%2054%20of%202008%20catalog.p df on page 11 and I am wondering if they are the only ones selling this kind of product or would I be able to find a similar product in a (web) shop in Holland. Anyone of you has any experience with this product, is it realy as good as they say?

[milandro]

maybe you should ask, addressing this a specific question in a new topic or the topic that you saw about it, to one or all of the many technicians on SOTW

[Helen]

Congrats on your horn. It does look like it survived an underwater experience. Is it a Katrina survivor by chance?

Once you've decided, like milandro said, which type of set up you're going to go with during the restoration, and the work is done, I'm sure you'll like the Pierret. The Super Artiste owners all seem to love their horns.

This one will certainly have a lot of character as well. I'm partial to horns that look like they have a history. It adds to their charm & allure. Put a good player on it, and the combo is fantastic. Beats a new, shiny horn any day!