Yamaha Alto Saxophone Neck-piece Cork Replacement

Written By: Lauren Wintermute

Comments: 1

Yamaha Alto Saxophone Neck-piece Cork Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Through normal wear and tear or rough handling, saxophone corks can become damaged, rendering the instrument useless or operating at diminished quality. This guide will replace a Yamaha YAS-23 alto saxophone cork; however, the size for all alto saxophone neck-pieces is standard, so this repair is applicable to all alto saxophone neck-piece cork repairs.

For optimal performance, saxophones require a well fitting cork. Without this, tone quality will be sacrificed, or the saxophone will cease to function.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

The octave key is silver, while the rest of the neck-piece is gold.
Locate the screw on the side of the neck-piece, connecting the octave key to the neck-piece.
Use a small, 2.5 mm flat head screwdriver to remove the screw.

Step 2

Open a paperclip.
Push the screw out with the end of the paperclip.

Step 3

Slide the octave key down off the bottom of the neck-piece.

Step 4

Put on leather gloves.
Cut away from one's self.
Use the utility blade to scrape off the cork.
Start at the base of the cork on the neck-piece with the utility blade at a 10 to 20 degree angle.
In a controlled motion, drag the utility blade along the neck-piece, removing cork along the way.
Repeat until all of the cork is removed.

Step 5

Apply masking tape where there is no glue on the neck-piece to prevent damage to the finish.

Step 6

Remove glue and resin by rotating the neck-piece against the 220 grit sand paper.
Repeat until all glue is gone.

Step 7

New cork may not adhere correctly without completing this step.
With a damp microfiber cleaning cloth, wipe off any dust and glue particles.

Step 8

Do not remove adhesive covering on the Valentino neck cork.
Make sure the shorter base of the Valentino neck cork is flush with entrance.
Place the Valentino neck cork flush with the entrance of the neck-piece.
Mark a line where the Valentino neck cork meets the masking tape.
Cut along the line.

Step 9

Wrap Valentino neck cork around the neck-piece.
Make mark where the Valentino neck cork overlaps.
Make sure the shorter base of Valentino neck cork is flush with entrance to neck-piece.
If Valentino neck cork appears to be too small on one side, rotate 180 degrees.

Step 10

Cut the Valentino neck cork along the line made in the previous step.

Step 11

Remove the adhesive covering on the back of the Valentino neck cork.
Wrap the Valentino neck cork around the top of neck-piece.
Place the narrow end of the Valentino neck cork flush with the tip of the neck-piece.

Step 12

Remove the masking tape.

Step 13

Sand the seam of the Valentino neck cork until it is even with the rest of the Valentino neck cork.

Step 14

Apply a generous amount of cork grease on the whole Valentino neck cork.

Step 15

Place the octave key on the neck-piece.

Step 16

Re-insert the screw.
Tighten the screw with a small, 2.5 mm flat head screwdriver.
The replacement is complete.
When applying a mouthpiece to the neck-piece for the first time, it will be difficult and require force. This is normal.

Author

Lauren Wintermute

Member since: 16/01/20

277 Reputation

One comment

I’m usually here for computer guides, I couldn’t believe a sax guide was here! Was overjoyed! Can someone make a Alto Sax full pad replacement guide? I know it’s a big ask! But I have a YAS-23 and it needs all new pads, getting it serviced by a pro is between $700-$850!! But buying pads yourself is as low as $50 or on the high end $200. This seems like a tutorial the world needs to have! Thank you to anyone that even took the time to read this.

Cameron -