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.

A few more updates, and this time I take a close look at TJ's midrange SR alto and a very unusual soprano from Yamaha. For those of a geekier predilection there's an in-depth look at the finer points of the G# mechanism...and if all else fails there's a couple of new articles in the notes section which might raise a smile or two.
As usual, you'll find hard-hitting reviews that show no fear (of losing a sale) or favour; commonsense advice about looking after your instruments; myths debunkified (is that even a word?); clear explanations and a maybe one or two laughs. So fill your mug/glass/pipe, give your mouse a buff and click on. You know it makes sense....

Latest reviews: "Don't blow it - bench it!"
New: The RAW on a budget. TJ's midrange SR alto squares up to its bigger brother.	New: As rare as it's distinctive - the YSS61R...Yamaha's (slightly) curved soprano
The not-so-cheap cheap soprano from Jupiter. How does the JPS547GL stack up against the competition?	Stencil surfing - or how to buy a Keilwerth for under half a grand. The Schenkelaars tenor has a few tricks up its sleeve.
TJ's 'The Horn' gets a makeover - the Horn '88 in all its Champagne Gold glory.	The rise of the contemporary soprano - Yamaha's YSS61.
Veni, Vidi, Vito. It turned up, I saw it...but did it conquer - or is it just conkers? The Noblet Vito alto (or one of them, at least).	Ah, the ubiquitous Yamaha YTS23. This is a horn with a punch-for-price rating that's very hard to beat, which is why I call it 'The giant killer'. Go find out why...
There's a lot of buzz around the new Yani horns, but are we talking the bees knees - or a bulldog chewing a wasp? The AWO2 hits the bench.	The archetypal tenor, the Selmer MK VI. Is it all it's cracked up to be? Does the myth hold up against the reality...?
You don't see many slide saxes around these days - which probably isn't such a bad thing. To find out why, check out the review of the Swanee sax...	Looking for a pro-spec soprano on a budget? This oldie-but-goodie ought to be on your list - it's Yanagisawa's S880...apparently the first-ever soprano with a detachable crook...
Handy Hints: Hints, tips and maintenance advice
Fancy a leaklight for two quid? 'Course you do - and here's how to make (and use) it.	Oiling the action. Why you should do it, how to do it and what to use...in detail.
Miscellaneous: All the other stuff...	Glossary: What does it all mean?
The Black Museum's latest exhibit: The phantom key mangler strikes again.	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: G# geometry - striking a balance between friction and functionality.	New: TJ RAW Redux...5 years on, and still cookin' - and the strange tale of the geographically dependent buzz.
Haynes saxophone & clarinet manuals
Everything you need to know about looking after your sax or clarinet.

With special thanks to DG, Danny and 'Group M'

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All material on this site copyright Stephen Howard Woodwind, unless otherwise stated. 15/6/2016

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