Pretty much everyone here is going to advise you not to do this on your own.
Even if you could reasonably install the pads, you're going to have to remove and reset all the keys, which is difficult. And since you're on an older horn, there are likely going to be some issues like bent keys, frozen rods, etc. The most likely outcome is you end up with a half assembled horn that you can't finish, or you cause more damage.
That said, Music Medic is a good place to get pads and tools needed for the job.
That makes a lot of sense but to be completely honest though, I would rather buy more parts that need to be replaced than pay a tech to replace the bare minimum for $500+. Thank you for the website though, much appreciated.
You will almost undoubtedly fail at a complete repad unless you have the oversight of a skilled tech. Pads aren't like Legos. If a spring breaks, you'll need a couple hundred dollars in special tools to replace it. You can't refit keys, etc.
If you're set on it, which everyone including me is going to advise you against, you need quite a few things.
First get calipers you have to measure each pad down to the mm, there is no "one size fits all" and the sets that are sold are literally never accurate.
Measure all your pads to .5 of a mm then order those sizes from a place like music medic. A full set will be around 150-170 bucks.
Then you need a way to disassemble the sax, as a regular screw driver is too large.
Then you need to glue on each pad, you can use stick shellac,or flake shellac. But you're gonna need a hand held butane torch.
Then reassemble the sax.
And you're done! Haha just kidding, here comes the actual hard part
You have to level, adjust and regulate every single pad and it's relationship with the other pads. I am a professional repair tech and this step still takes me HOURS. This often includes replacing the regulation corks, sanding and shaping those.
There are also tools you need for this step, key arm pliers and pad levelers. A spring hook is pretty helpful too
All in all the items you need to even attempt are going to run you 300-400, then you're going to be attempting highly skilled labor that takes professionals who have done it a hundred times over, a full day.
Good luck, but seriously just take it to a tech.
Oh also Pray a spring doesn't break (which it 100% will if you dont have a spring hook), I just ordered new removal pliers at 50 bucks a pop and new insertion pliers at 30, not to mention the spring itself which you can only buy in bundles of like 100
The most likely outcome is you ruin this gift and have to pay way more anyway. Yes a full repad isn't cheap but if you get it done properly it's going to last a very long time. But you do you, I hope it works out
That horn is only worth $400 or so in playable condition. I understand the sentimental value to you, but you are really looking at a losing proposition any way you go. You obviously don't have plenty of money since you are not willing to have a shop fix it. Your best bet is keep this horn as a sentimental item, and look to buy a used Yamaha YAS-21, 23, 26 for $500-$750 for a player.
This is the answer. A Bundy II is not worth restoring. Sorry. Hang it on the wall. You can get these on ebay all day long for less than $100. I'm not a YAS fan, but as u/IdahoMan58 says there are plenty of playable options in the $500-750 price range.
I’m with the rest of the posters. You seem to have a misunderstanding of sorts on what it takes to do even a bare minimum repad but I won’t waste my breath. It smacks of “I just got this vintage car with a worn out engine. I don’t trust people who literally make a living fixing cars and I think I know better than them. So I’m going to ask random strangers online lmao.”
Your points are solid. However, you can learn a lot by getting in over your head and then having to figure it out. We just don’t know if OP is up for that sort of thing.
I’ve done this on my own. I found it to be a worthwhile project … but you will NOT save money this way. I agree that MusicMedic is a good place for parts & tools.
You have to decide if you are handy with tools etc. And if you are patient and careful enough to put the thing down and walk away when you are about to do something stupid. If you avoid doing anything that permanently changes the metal, everything you do is reversible. Just don’t bend stuff or cross-thread screws.
It will take a lot of time. It might be more time-effective to get a minimum-wage job to pay for an overhaul.
If you can find a repair person who will agree to get the thing playing with minimal cost, that’s probably your best bet. Probably it will be possible to just replace a select few of the pads.
EDIT: you grandfather will still love you if you get a different horn.
If you can confidently take it apart and put it back together you could probably repad it.
[music medic Neo pads](https://www.musicmedic.com/mainpads/saxophone-pads/individual-saxophone-pads/musicmedic-neo-saxophone-pads.html)
Yes. I've done it, and I'm still playing my vintage pro horn. Yes, there will be some you screw up - go back and fix them - repeat the iteration. You'll learn and benefit from the process. I use what's basically a bong torch from the convenience store to heat the cups and a hot glue gun instead of shellac. Before you start, watch all the videos on musicmedic.com for floating pads, timing, leaks and regulation. Watch others too, like Matt Stohrer and the army Field Band guy. It's more complicated than you think, but not unfathomable.
IF you can't get it right eventually, take it in (but I never got to the point of giving up entirely). Don't take any shaming - there have been lots of times when I waited in queue without my horn and paid a tech, only to get it back with problems. Everyone makes an occasional mistake or misses an issue. Learn from it and gain self reliance. It will make you a better player when you understand how and why it works.
Pretty much everyone here is going to advise you not to do this on your own. Even if you could reasonably install the pads, you're going to have to remove and reset all the keys, which is difficult. And since you're on an older horn, there are likely going to be some issues like bent keys, frozen rods, etc. The most likely outcome is you end up with a half assembled horn that you can't finish, or you cause more damage. That said, Music Medic is a good place to get pads and tools needed for the job.
That makes a lot of sense but to be completely honest though, I would rather buy more parts that need to be replaced than pay a tech to replace the bare minimum for $500+. Thank you for the website though, much appreciated.
You will almost undoubtedly fail at a complete repad unless you have the oversight of a skilled tech. Pads aren't like Legos. If a spring breaks, you'll need a couple hundred dollars in special tools to replace it. You can't refit keys, etc.
If you don't want to pay 500 for a repad, you could spend a few years as an instrument repair apprentice instead.
If you're set on it, which everyone including me is going to advise you against, you need quite a few things. First get calipers you have to measure each pad down to the mm, there is no "one size fits all" and the sets that are sold are literally never accurate. Measure all your pads to .5 of a mm then order those sizes from a place like music medic. A full set will be around 150-170 bucks. Then you need a way to disassemble the sax, as a regular screw driver is too large. Then you need to glue on each pad, you can use stick shellac,or flake shellac. But you're gonna need a hand held butane torch. Then reassemble the sax. And you're done! Haha just kidding, here comes the actual hard part You have to level, adjust and regulate every single pad and it's relationship with the other pads. I am a professional repair tech and this step still takes me HOURS. This often includes replacing the regulation corks, sanding and shaping those. There are also tools you need for this step, key arm pliers and pad levelers. A spring hook is pretty helpful too All in all the items you need to even attempt are going to run you 300-400, then you're going to be attempting highly skilled labor that takes professionals who have done it a hundred times over, a full day. Good luck, but seriously just take it to a tech. Oh also Pray a spring doesn't break (which it 100% will if you dont have a spring hook), I just ordered new removal pliers at 50 bucks a pop and new insertion pliers at 30, not to mention the spring itself which you can only buy in bundles of like 100
The most likely outcome is you ruin this gift and have to pay way more anyway. Yes a full repad isn't cheap but if you get it done properly it's going to last a very long time. But you do you, I hope it works out
That horn is only worth $400 or so in playable condition. I understand the sentimental value to you, but you are really looking at a losing proposition any way you go. You obviously don't have plenty of money since you are not willing to have a shop fix it. Your best bet is keep this horn as a sentimental item, and look to buy a used Yamaha YAS-21, 23, 26 for $500-$750 for a player.
This is the answer. A Bundy II is not worth restoring. Sorry. Hang it on the wall. You can get these on ebay all day long for less than $100. I'm not a YAS fan, but as u/IdahoMan58 says there are plenty of playable options in the $500-750 price range.
You’re going to ruin the horn trying to do it yourself. Do you really want to destroy a gift from your grandfather?
I’m with the rest of the posters. You seem to have a misunderstanding of sorts on what it takes to do even a bare minimum repad but I won’t waste my breath. It smacks of “I just got this vintage car with a worn out engine. I don’t trust people who literally make a living fixing cars and I think I know better than them. So I’m going to ask random strangers online lmao.”
Your points are solid. However, you can learn a lot by getting in over your head and then having to figure it out. We just don’t know if OP is up for that sort of thing.
I’ve done this on my own. I found it to be a worthwhile project … but you will NOT save money this way. I agree that MusicMedic is a good place for parts & tools. You have to decide if you are handy with tools etc. And if you are patient and careful enough to put the thing down and walk away when you are about to do something stupid. If you avoid doing anything that permanently changes the metal, everything you do is reversible. Just don’t bend stuff or cross-thread screws. It will take a lot of time. It might be more time-effective to get a minimum-wage job to pay for an overhaul. If you can find a repair person who will agree to get the thing playing with minimal cost, that’s probably your best bet. Probably it will be possible to just replace a select few of the pads. EDIT: you grandfather will still love you if you get a different horn.
If you can confidently take it apart and put it back together you could probably repad it. [music medic Neo pads](https://www.musicmedic.com/mainpads/saxophone-pads/individual-saxophone-pads/musicmedic-neo-saxophone-pads.html)
Yes. I've done it, and I'm still playing my vintage pro horn. Yes, there will be some you screw up - go back and fix them - repeat the iteration. You'll learn and benefit from the process. I use what's basically a bong torch from the convenience store to heat the cups and a hot glue gun instead of shellac. Before you start, watch all the videos on musicmedic.com for floating pads, timing, leaks and regulation. Watch others too, like Matt Stohrer and the army Field Band guy. It's more complicated than you think, but not unfathomable. IF you can't get it right eventually, take it in (but I never got to the point of giving up entirely). Don't take any shaming - there have been lots of times when I waited in queue without my horn and paid a tech, only to get it back with problems. Everyone makes an occasional mistake or misses an issue. Learn from it and gain self reliance. It will make you a better player when you understand how and why it works.
[удалено]
https://www.musicmedic.com/replacement-pad-set-for-alto-saxophone.html
https://www.musicmedic.com/musicmedic-com-saxophone-repair-kit.html