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.

In order to reassure clients in light of the current Coronavirus epidemic I've published my policy for handling repairs for the duration. Please do have a read - and if you have any specific requirements pending a visit, let me know. Under the current 'lockdown' legislation I am still able to carry on working - and will do so until the situation changes. With the drop-off in minor repair visits to the workshop I have plenty of time to catch up on large-scale jobs...so if your horn's due some major work, now's the time to get on the list.
One such job has just gone out, and I've had the chance to run up a review. It's the Selmer (London) Super Pennsylvania tenor. It's better than you night think...
There's also an addition to the rolling review of the Keilwerth SX90R tenor - and a new Handy Hints article about removing greens spots from your sax as well as a new Benchlife Blog entry.
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: The Selmer (London) Super Pennsylvania tenor. I find out what it is, and whether it's super.	Recent: It ain't light on your wallet...or around your neck. The £7500 Yanagisawa T-WO32 Elite tenor.
The boys are back in town...it's the return of the Jericho alto.	Updated: Another addition to the rolling review of the Keilwerth SX90R tenor sax. This time it's a 129xxx model. Looks nice...but is it all show and no blow...?
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.	It's a Borgani on a budget, but it might not be as cheap as you think. It's the Lupifaro Platinum tenor.
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.	The basic Sakkusu baritone sax gets the old screwdriver treatment. If nothing else, it's certainly a lot of brass for your money...
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.
Supercharged - the Andy Sheppard Autograph series tenor.	A very British affair - possibly the best Hawkes & Son XX Century alto out there.
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
Updated: Dealing with green spots (AKA Verdigris). An overview of mechanical and chemical methods of removal (Addendum added March 2020).	Third time lucky - the mysterious case of the bent A key.
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: Button it!

All material on this site copyright Stephen Howard Woodwind, unless otherwise stated. 03/04/2020

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