Woodwind instrument advice, reviews, care, repair & maintenance.

Whether you're interested in buying an instrument, maintaining your flute or clarinet, hints on saxophone repairs or just plain curious about woodwind - you'll find something to interest you here, presented in a clear and relaxed manner.

Life has been rather eventful since I last posted an update. By way of preparing for the start on the new saxophone manual I invested in some new camera gear. This meant that very little of my existing software would work with the new kit - so yet more had to be invested. And then, of course, none of the software would work with my old version of Windows...and none of my computers would work with the latest version. Having sorted that little lot out I then found I had to figure out a whole new workflow. It's not been my idea of fun.
And then, to top it all, I managed to slice the top of my left forefinger clean off. I think I'd have felt a bit better about it had it been a work-related injury but it happened in the garden while I was doing a spot of pruning. As my good friend quipped "I told ya - the only safe garden is a beer garden!"
So that put a stop to work - and pretty much everything else - for a while, but I'm pleased to report my finger is well on the way to a full recovery and I'm getting back into the swing of things.

Which means I've finally got around to running up a new review - and this time it's the new TJ Evo (2024 model) alto that gets the workbench treatment. Go check it out, it's quite an interesting horn...

As for the rest of the site, you'll find hard-hitting reviews that show no fear or favour; commonsense advice about looking after your instruments; myths debunkified; clear explanations and maybe one or two laughs. So fill your mug/glass/pipe/atty, give your mouse a buff and click on. You know it makes sense....

Latest reviews: "Don't blow it - bench it!"
New: TJ's revamped intermediate alto turns up on the bench - and eyebrows are raised.	Recent: A brand new Eastman 652 '52nd Street' tenor drops on the bench - and I take a peek to see if the street goes anywhere...or turns into a dead end.
A Borgani OBS soprano turns up on the workbench - and boy was this horn full of surprises...	Looking for a lightweight tenor? The Nexus Select's claim to fame is that it weighs about as much as a Selmer MkVI - but have they cut too many corners...?
The rare and rather distinctive Kohler Empor baritone comes in for a shakedown and gets the full Monty. Well worth a look - and check out the accompanying overview of the repair process.	Boutique horns are everywhere these days, but this Remy is priced a cut above most of the competition. I put it on the workbench to see exactly what you get for your cash. Since the review was published, another example has turned up...
The Lupifaro Platinum baritone. Not quite a review, more of a comparison between it and two other strikingly-similar models...	A brand new Conn-Selmer Premiere 380V turns up on the workbench, and puts on a fine show.
I've always had something of a love/hate relationship with Italian horns. The playability is usually excellent, but the build quality often lets them down. How well did the Borgani OBA alto fare...?	Another addition to the Borgani Vintage tenor review - this time it's the Joe Lovano model that gets the treatment.
Had a Yanagisawa T-WO33 tenor in for a service, so added my thoughts on it to the review of the T-WO32	A very rare Buffet Super Dynaction soprano turns up for a tweak, and I just couldn't resist running up a review of it. I'm glad I did, too, because it turned out to be quite a surprising horn.
Handy Hints: Hints, tips and maintenance advice
Everything you ever (and possibly never) wanted to know about swedging - including how to pronounce it.	The SHWoodwind F.O. Guide To Octave Key Problems. (Warning: It's long. It's very long. It's very long indeed.)
Miscellaneous: All the other stuff...	Glossary: What does it all mean?
Updated: The Black Museum's latest exhibit: How to ruin a five grand flute.	All you need to know about point (pivot) screws...and more.
Testing...Testing: What works, and what doesn't	Notes...from a small workshop
Updated: Dealing with green spots (AKA Verdigris). An overview of mechanical and chemical methods of removal (Addendum added March 2020).	The watch - a story of days remembered.
Haynes saxophone & clarinet manuals	Benchlife...the workshop rolling blog
An exciting update for the Saxophone Manual!	A section devoted to the (occasionally) daily dabblings on and around the workbench. Latest entry: A Chu Berry TJ RAW?

All material on this site copyright Stephen Howard Woodwind, unless otherwise stated. 14/11/2024

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