DAILY MAINTENANCE GUIDE

• Check your instrument daily for loose or missing screws, especially the top key stack and bottom key stack pivot screw(s).
• Joint and neck corks should be lubricated (sparingly) with cork grease to allow sections to fit together easily. Roberson’s technicians can replace cracked or worn corks to facilitate playability.
• Swab excess moisture from the instrument bore (inside) with a drop-through swab and then insert a Pad-Saver^® to wick the remaining moisture from the pads.
• Wipe fingerprints, dirt and hand acids from the exterior surface with a treated polish cloth.
• Remove the reed from the mouthpiece, wipe excess moisture from it and place carefully in a Reed Gard^®_. Mold will quickly grow on the underside of the reed if it is not removed from the mouthpiece and dried. Keep several good reeds in the case and alternate them so they will dry completely before the next use.
• Carefully place the instrument in the case, checking for weak or broken case latches.
• Avoid placing excessive amounts of “stuff” in the case that might damage the instrument.
• The mouthpiece should be cleaned at least once a month using warm (not hot) water, a specially designed Mouthpiece Brush and Softsoap.

DON’Ts

• Do not place the instrument on a music stand, chair, bed, or other surface from where it can fall. Most instruments are damaged from falling, being dropped or crushed.
• Do not overly twist or play with the Saxophone neck screw. Constant tightening and loosening will wear the soft threads and cause it to unscrew or break.
• Do not attempt to adjust the instrument. Adjustment screws become worn with constant tightening and loosening. If your instrument requires adjustment, Roberson’s professional technicians can perform the required repairs.
• Do not brush against the exposed pad surface while cleaning or polishing the instrument. The pad skin is easily worn and contact will cause premature failure of the pad.
• Do not use abrasive polish on lacquered brass, silver or nickel finishes.
• Do not allow the instrument to become water-soaked—rain water and excessively damp weather will cause pad failure and rusting of pivot screws and hinge rods.
• Key mechanisms should be oiled once a month. Do not over-oil the keys—excess oil can penetrate the pads and corks. Excess oil will dissolve glue and cause key corks to fall off the instrument. A small drop of oil at each pivot point is all that is needed. If your band director prefers that you do not oil the instrument, Roberson’s technicians will do it for you.

MAINTENANCE ITEMS YOU SHOULD HAVE

Drop-through Swab, Pad-Saver^®, cork grease, key oil, mouthpiece & tone hole brushes, Reed-Gard^® , pad papers, and plenty of reeds, which are all available for sale at Roberson’s Music in Fredericksburg, Virginia.