On an average, Saxophones can last as long as 50 to 100 years, that is, with proper maintenance practice of course.
In the hands of mark turner, the lifespan of your saxophone would be considerably shorter. Why—because you’ll continue to bang your sax after every performance. But even if you’re just an average guy with an ordinary saxophone, you can make it last a lifetime.
If your saxophone is made of high-quality brass, it can last for centuries. Due to this, you can still find pricey violins from the sixteenth century, a lot of classical music is performed with these violins.
Saxophone, on the other hand, may last much longer, perhaps even a lifetime. However, if you frequently play your saxophone, its small parts like the reeds or mouthpiece may wear out faster than its body. So, if you want your saxophone to last a long time, you’ll have to get rid of the worn-out parts and replace them
How long are saxophones expected to serve?
Your ability as a saxophonist will ultimately determine how long your instrument will last. If you can get your hands on a remarkable brand and not one of those shiny ones whose brand names you don’t know, your saxophone will probably outlive you. These shiny ones don’t last more than four years, even if you are lucky.
Even the highest grade of things is susceptible to damage if the people handling them are not careful. The same rules apply to playing the saxophone. Because it is a wind instrument made of metal, it is susceptible to damage from moisture and a wide variety of other conditions. The keys and pads can become stuck, and they can rust.
You shouldn’t expect your saxophone or any other musical instrument that you play to last as long as it should if you don’t give it the care and attention it needs.
What Can I Do To Make My Saxophone Last Longer?
Saxophone players should prepare for the possibility of taking their instruments in for repair regularly. If you take good care of your instrument from the beginning, you may prevent a lot of those expensive repairs. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just started playing the saxophone or if you’ve neglected it for a long time.
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Brush Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth before a game is a good habit to get into if you haven’t previously. Why? Certain foods and drinks, which include sugar, might combine with saliva in your mouth to generate an unpleasant solution that can adhere to your pads.
Isn’t it better to avoid sticky pads in the first place rather than wait for a repair specialist to remedy the problem? If you don’t play your sax for a few days, you could discover that it has a nasty smell, which is usually caused by food and drink particles that have accumulated on the pads. Yuck!
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Clean and Lubricate the Keys
Your keys may require lubrication from time to time. Purchase key oil from music stores or online, and remember that you may be entitled to special savings if you take music instruction at a Music & Arts facility. It is possible to substitute valve oil if key oil is unavailable; however, please do not use any other type of oil! Adding too much oil to your keys will only attract extra grime, so keep that in mind when lubricating them.
The classic adage “the squeaky wheel always gets the grease” is an excellent guideline for applying critical oil. Because if your keys aren’t clunkier than they should be, they don’t need to be oiled. It’s preferable to conduct your key lubrication out of sight and out of mind. An instrument may be damaged or even broken if you are oiling it in a busy room and someone bumps into you.
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Temperature and Humidity
Many external factors such as humidity, temperature, UV light, and many more can cause a saxophone to deteriorate in quality if left outside. However, if it is properly stored and cared for, it could last for many years.
Despite its relative insensitivity to temperature and humidity variations, the saxophone is still not a smart idea to keep in the car during the frigid winter months or in the direct summer sun.
There is an increased risk of instrument theft if they are left in a car unattended for a prolonged period. Keeping your instrument in the backseat of a car can be dangerous, so store it in the trunk instead.
If you’re part of an outdoor band and have a “backup” instrument, consider using this one. If you’re going to be playing an instrument outside, you should always have a backup instrument handy in case something goes wrong.
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Extend the cleaning and polishing to the outside
The outside of your saxophone doesn’t need to be cleaned or polished often unless it’s in particularly bad shape. As an alternative, use a dry microfiber cloth to clean and dry your instrument after every usage.
There are lacquer polish cloths on the market that can be used sometimes, but if you misuse or aren’t careful, the wax on these cloths can pile up and become unattractive. Saxophone beginners should steer clear of them if they aren’t yet comfortable with the instrument.
If you’re going to polish your saxophone, start by wiping it down with a rubbing alcohol-dampened cloth. This will clean the instrument’s exterior of any oil or dirt buildup.
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Find out how to dismantle it!
You should practice disassembling your saxophone with your tutor a few times before attempting it on your own. With saxophone maintenance, you must be able to disassemble and reassemble the instrument with your eyes closed.
As a result, disassembling the device isn’t a major hassle. Don’t try to disassemble your instrument with pliers or other common household tools if a part is stuck or difficult to remove.
You could inadvertently harm your instrument if you use improper tools. Take your saxophone to a repair expert if you can’t get something out with minimal effort. As well as years of expertise, repair specialists have access to a wide range of professional tools.
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Scratches and Dents
Even if you take care of your saxophone, it will have dents and scratches, no matter how careful you are. There’s no need to worry about minor dings and scratches on the saxophone’s sound.
A badly dented saxophone (such as one that fell out of your case into a brick pathway because your case wasn’t secured properly) might affect the horn’s sound.
Take your saxophone to a repair shop if the dent is high on the body or if it affects the key position or otherwise interferes with the saxophone’s operation. Unless you have the right training, do not attempt to repair a dent on your own. You’ll probably end up spending more money on the saxophone if you do this.
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Proper Storage
Knowing the proper way to store your saxophone will be useful if you have one. When not in use, keep your saxophone safely stored away in its case.
Even if you live in an area where the weather is constantly changing, you can keep your saxophone in good working order by properly storing it.
What You Never Should Do with Your Saxophone?
You would usually do things to your saxophone that is injurious to your saxophone’s well-being. The following are some of the things you should avoid doing with your saxophone:
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Do not use water to clean it
Saxophones are not completely waterproof, as you should keep in mind. Using water to clean your saxophone may cause the keys to rust. Furthermore, if you use water on your saxophone, you run the risk of ruining or damaging the instrument’s body.
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Do not use Furniture Polish, Window Cleaner, or Soap on Your Saxophone
It will help if you only use products that have been recommended by experts. Please don’t risk damaging your saxophone by experimenting with untested cleaning ingredients.
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Do Not Use Compressed Air to Dust Your Saxophone!
If you use compressed air, you run the risk of blowing dust into the instrument’s inner parts and causing damage. In addition, compressed air can leak liquid after each use.. The finish of your saxophone could be damaged by such a fluid.
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Avoid Using Tissue or Paper Towels to Wipe Your Saxophone!
Tissues might have a rough surface that harms the finish on your saxophone. The outer layer of your saxophone should not be cleaned with them. Furthermore, avoid using a paper towel because it could damage the finish on your saxophone. Instead, use a microfiber or cotton-based cloth.
Which Saxophone Brands Last the Longest?
During a recent search, I came across more than 90 saxophone brand names. I have looked at some of the more well-known saxophone producers and the robustness of their products.
Selmer Paris is currently the most popular saxophone manufacturer. When properly cared for, a Selmer Paris saxophone can last for more than 70 years. Most brass bands and classical orchestras use this mid-range professional saxophone.
The selmer paris are known for their high quality and longevity. The first saxophones produced by theisFrench company in 1922 were the “Cigar Cutter,” “Super Balanced Action,” and the “Mark VI.”
Historically, Selmer has been known as the “best of the best” in the saxophone world, so you can expect to pay a premium for their instruments.
How long are Yamaha saxophones expected to last?
About 70 years is the expected lifespan of a Yamaha saxophone. They are built to withstand wind and rain, making them ideal for marching band use outdoors.
While Selmer Paris is a household name in the saxophone world, they have recently gained a reputation for producing high-quality instruments at reasonable prices.
Unlike Selmer Paris, Yamaha produces student and intermediate saxophone models.
Final thoughts on how long do saxophones last
As previously stated, anything that is properly cared for can last a long time. Similar to this, you can avoid harming your saxophone by being aware of the factors listed above that can do so and abstaining from doing so. If you want your saxophone to last a long time, you’ll need to know how to properly maintain it.
The question of how long do saxophones last would undoubtedly elicit a variety of responses. How you care for your saxophone is the most important factor in determining the answer to this question. You can expect your saxophone to last a long time if you treat it well.
