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.

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    • 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.

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    • Open a paperclip.

    • Push the screw out with the end of the paperclip.

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

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    • 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.

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

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    • Remove glue and resin by rotating the neck-piece against the 220 grit sand paper.

    • Repeat until all glue is gone.

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    • New cork may not adhere correctly without completing this step.

    • With a damp microfiber cleaning cloth, wipe off any dust and glue particles.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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

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    • 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.

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    • Remove the masking tape.

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

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

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    • Place the octave key on the neck-piece.

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    • 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.

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 -