Although there are some common saxophone restoration tasks, saxophones from different makers require slightly different restoration work. Pads and corks are two areas that will almost certainly require extensive work. As a mechanical instrument, the woodwind may also require spring and keywork regulation. Some bodywork may be required, depending on how carefully the saxophone was stored, to remove minor dents or dings. Restoration of a saxophone is a craftsman’s job, best done someone with specialized skills and experience, and it isn’t cheap.
Pads and corks may need to be replaced as part of a saxophone’s routine maintenance; in a vintage instrument, they may need to be stripped down. Because new pads require a lot of regulation afterward, it might be a good idea to redo all of the corks at the same time as the restoration. It may also be necessary to replace all of the springs and tighten all of the keywork. However, if a vintage horn has been properly cared for and stored, action work may not be required. If there are small dents, some minor bodywork may be required, as well as the replacement of worn-out rod screws.
Oiling the action is part of regular saxophone maintenance, regardless of age, so a saxophone restoration will almost certainly include oiling the entire action. The pivots and screws will rub against the key barrels if they are not lubricated, causing wear over time. The keywork will also be very noisy and keywork maneuvering will be stiff if there is no oil. It is possible to repair areas where a lack of oil caused rod wear, but the process is time-consuming. If the damage is too severe, the rods may need to be replaced.
In general, vintage saxophone restoration is not cheap, and neither is regular saxophone maintenance. Craftspeople with expertise and knowledge of these instruments are in short supply, so their time and talents are in high demand. A vintage instrument may have had a single, conscientious owner, or it may have had several owners with varying degrees of responsibility. Different makers’ instruments age differently, and some have age-related issues that are unique to their brands. Not only should a saxophone restoration expert be familiar with the intricacies of restoring saxophones from various manufacturers, but he or she should also have access to hard-to-find replacement parts.