How to Correct a Bent Baritone Sax

by David Michael Lord

Overview

Bari saxes are the easiest horn in the sax family to damage. Because of their size, bending of the body and bell is a common but unfortunate occurrence. The process of correcting this bend is not an easy process for a veteran player, much less a novice.

Step 1

Prepare a large, clean work area, such as a table, with plenty of light. Saxophone pieces can be quite small and easy to lose.
Step 2

Use masking tape to label each part of the horn before taking it off and laying it aside. Put each piece in order on the table to allow it to take the shape of a saxophone. This will aid in putting the bari back together.
Step 3

Start with the main keys, four on top, and three on the bottom. Unscrew the keys from the posts. Lay these out with screws and continue taking off the remaining keys, largest to smallest.
Step 4

Remove the springs one by one, using the small pliers, by pulling on them firmly and laying them in the apparatuses that coincide with where they are located on the horn.
Step 5

You will be left with the metal body. Bends occur where the bell seams with the body. If the bend occurred on the shaft part of the body then it needs to go to a repair shop where special tools can be used to straighten it.
Step 6

Sit with a paperback book between your legs and place the curve of the bell on it. Grab the bell with one hand and circle the other arm around the body. Push and pull at the same time in opposite directions appropriate to the bend. Apply small amounts of force at first and absolutely no jerky motions.
Step 7

Reassemble the saxophone.

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Masking tape Small screwdriver Small pliers Paperback book
Masking tape
Small screwdriver
Small pliers
Paperback book
Repairing saxophones is an art unto itself. A repair of this magnitude really needs the consultation of a qualified technician or you risk damaging the horn beyond repair.
Repairing saxophones is an art unto itself. A repair of this magnitude really needs the consultation of a qualified technician or you risk damaging the horn beyond repair.

References & Resources