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.

Another bumper edition as four reviews hit the presses. There's the completely bonkers Vito Leblanc 35 alto - AKA the Johnny Hodges model; the interesting (ahem) Lupifaro Platinum tenor; the rather surprising Hanson SA8 alto - and bringing up the rear, the Sequoia Lemon soprano. There's also an update to the Sakkusu tenor review, plus an addition in the shape of the Rosedale to the Gear4Music bari review.
And as if that's not enough there's also an update to my article on Oiling The Action - For Geeks, a shiny new entry in the Benchlife Blog and a look at how acid affects brass and ebonite.
There's also an update to the Pan American bass sax review...and a new exhibit in the dreaded Black Museum...
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: It's mad - but is it bad, and dangerous to know? The incredible Vito Leblanc System 35 alto...like the one Johnny Hodges played. Sort of.	New: It's a Borgani on a budget, but it might not be as cheap as you think. It's the Lupifaro Platinum tenor.
New: The Hanson SA8 alto. Could be a bit of a bargain....	New: Sequoia has a stab at the midrange market with the Lemon soprano.
Updated: Another Sakkusu tenor goes on the workbench - and this time it's the Midnight Black model.	Updated: The Gear4Music Ultra-Cheap bari sports a new badge, but has it got any better? Check out my overview of the Rosedale BTS-500G.
Recent: The Eppelsheim bass saxophone. Put it on your bucket list.	Updated: It took 16 years, but I've finally found the time to update my review of the Pan American bass sax.
The (take a deep breath) Rare Saxophones Super Tone Series VI TS-7306L. Hmmmmm...	A very British affair - possibly the best Hawkes & Son XX Century alto out there.
Supercharged - the Andy Sheppard Autograph series tenor.	The Yanagisawa A500 alto. Get one now, before the prices go up.
Handy Hints: Hints, tips and maintenance advice
The SHWoodwind F.O. Guide To Octave Key Problems. (Warning: It's long. It's very long. It's very long indeed.)	Updated (again): Oiling the action - for geeks. Testing the 'multigrade method' of oiling.
Miscellaneous: All the other stuff...	Glossary: What does it all mean?
Updated: The Black Museum's latest exhibit: The Fly.	All you need to know about point (pivot) screws...and more.
Testing...Testing: What works, and what doesn't	Notes...from a small workshop
New: Mucking about with acid, brass and ebonite.	New: The end...of the octave key article.
Haynes saxophone & clarinet manuals	Benchlife...the workshop rolling blog
Everything you need to know about looking after your sax or clarinet.	A section devoted to the (almost) daily dabblings on and around the workbench. Latest entry: Getting a grip.

All material on this site copyright Stephen Howard Woodwind, unless otherwise stated. 17/06/2019

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