Ben Dearnley

Jake McMurchie

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:45:55 +0000

Ben has always taken a personal interest in my saxophone and I trust him with it implicitly. For me, he’s the best.

Nik Carter

ben — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:31:21 +0000

Ben’s attention to detail gives me a custom setting which really flows.

Huw Johnson

ben — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:55:43 +0000

Thanks again for all your insights and guidance. It’s the “holistic”
service, that’s what it is.

Ingrid Laubrock

ben — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:17:48 +0000

Ben has been looking after my saxophones for years and I have been very happy with his work. He is a skillful and experienced craftsman who knows everything about the relationship between musicians and their instruments.

Mornington Lockett

ben — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:02:10 +0000

Ben has been mending my sax’s for 17 years . He is a skilled craftsman who brings a creative, considerate, intuitive element to his work. His beautiful moon face crook support now has many admirers. Taking my sax to Ben is like a therapy session, as it always feels like a new horn when I next play. I wouldn’t take my sax to anyone else.

Selmer MK VI soprano

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:57:52 +0000

N.308491 Original condition, a lovely, sweet example. SOLD

This instrument has been maintained to retain its original status, it’s body tube is straight and undamaged and the keywork is all set without any looseness. This makes for a tight, fast and wonderfully light soprano and one of the Selmer greats. Players like Andy Sheppard are happy with horns like these and will no doubt keep playing them for as long as I can keep them in A1 order…so another 50years isn’t out of the question then!

Andy Sheppard

ben — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:49:59 +0000

“A world class saxophone doctor, fast reliable and a real craftsman, my horns are in safe hands with Ben”.

3. Replacing a spring

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:57:09 +0000

The Flat Spring

This is the most simple of repairs and one which can get you playing again really fast.

Things you will need.

1. A new flat spring (have a few as spares)

2. Side cutters ( to cut the spring to length)

3. Screwdriver

4. A Small File (to round the cut edge)

Remove the key with the broken spring and take off the old spring. Select a new spring which will be long enough to reach the spring guide when you place the key back onto the sax. It is important to get the right spring length as too short a spring will just leave the key open.

2. Replacing pads

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:50:25 +0000

The second lesson is going to take you a little bit further down the road of self maintenance.

We are going to cover the replacement of a simple pad. Let’s start with the palm key pads as these tend to get worn out first and can be removed simply without touching any other keys.

Things you will need.

1. A new pad, size 18mm approx

2. The correct glue.(schellack)

3. A small screwdriver

4. A small flame, bunson,or similar

5. A pad slick. (thin piece of metal cut to the pad size)

Lets begin by removing the key you wish to change the pad on. Say its the top D.

First undo the rod holding the key in place, then with gentle pressure on the top of the key to over power the spring tension, pull the rod out from the pillars and lift off the key.

Now pull out the old pad and clean the inside of the cup, scraping off any of the old glue.

Iain Ballamy

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 16:09:26 +0000

“I can do a pretty fine job overhauling my own horns, as I studied at the same place as Ben. The fact is Ben can do it better and that’s why he’s been doing my instruments for years – he is the best!”