Does anyone have a cure for a sticking "b" pad on my alto sax.

It only sticks for a fraction of a second when released but it's very noticeable.

Any info or cure's would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure the area is clean and their is no dirt which may cause the pad to stick. If the problem is due to excess moisture then using a cigarette paper dry the area by placing the paper underneath the pad and depressing the key. Also you can buy a powder which can be used instead of the cigarette papers...if the problem persists then see a repairer and see if they can do anything

The cigarette paper trick works even better if you shade the area you're going to stick under the pad with a 2B pencil.

It might turn the pads black but they don't stick as much. (The G# pad linking the Oboe head and middle joint is notorious for sticking. I've even been known to put my oboe away with cigarette paper under the pad)

Sticky pads are a real nuisance.

I agree with most of your advice Sarah, but, to be honest, I wouldn't recommend using what I call 'unstick powder'. You are trying to get rid of any gunk that's making the pad stick, and if you add powder to the pads, you're actually adding to the gunk that's on the pad already.

it's a bit unusual for a 'b' pad to stick. It's usually the pads that are normally closed that stick - G#, C# and Eb.
Try the cigarette papers, or a clean linen handkerchief, or there are special 'cleaning papers' available.

Which makes me think it may not be sticky, in the way G# / C# / Eb keys are sticky but something to do with the mechanism. Do you mean low B or LH 1st finger B?

I must admit that my 1st finger b sticks on my tenor too... I use the coloured in cigarette paper trick

Really? Not heard that one before. I do have problems with the keys that are normally closed but find if I unstick them at the start of the session they'll stay unstuck until the next time. I did have a problem with the low B / C# linkage fouling on my alto a little while ago which was why I asked the question about mechanism.

The L/H 1st finger.

I've only had it a week.

It's a Selmer ref ,and it was sticking a bit when I was trying it.

She sorted it before I left by putting some eye shadow on the back of some fine wet and dry , depressing the key onto it and dragging it through,and it worked a treat.

But now it's sticking a bit again, and I not sure about eye shadow and wet and dry on my new sax !

I am going to try some of the suggestions on here for now and I will let you know how I get on.

A small inconvenience for having such a wonderful instrument.

is that a Selmer Reference 54? alto? or tenor.....
lovely instrument if so!

but eye shadow don't sound good to me!! don't think I'd want that on my Selmer - no, sir! Mine's over a year and hasn't had probs so far.
let us know how you get on, won't you?

It's a Alto.

I tried the ltd "kooks" and "hummingbirds" ref 54, they were nice saxes, but would'nt have bought one.

The 9930 Yani was better, and I have a Yani 901 and love it.

Then she (sales) said she had a std honeygold 54.

The sound was different to the ref 54" birds", and I thought the only difference was some engraving.

I played that for 30 seconds before it had sold on it.

The sales told me they do vary a bit, but I felt this was more than a bit.

Something to consider before buying a Selmer , I doubt this was a isolated case.

Anyway, at least I now have my dream sax,( except for the sticking which I'm sure will get resolved).

I am going to get some Rizla's today, see if that works.

Will keep you posted.

regards

Paul

I have a Yani 901, which is lovely.
My Selmer alto is a Hummingbird and I think it's great - though I admit I didn't try the 'ordinary' Ref 54.
My tenor is a Yamaha 62 which is also really nice.

Good luck with 'repairs' on the sticky pad.