Ep 122- Matt Stohrer-Repairing saxophone to exacting standards

Donna Schwartz, Host of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, interviewed Saxophone Repairman, Matt Stohrer, for the Everything Saxophone Podcast.
#StohrerMusic
#MattStohrer
#EverythingSaxophonePodcast
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introductions & Matt’s background
14:45 - What it was like working for Sam Ash and New York's Music Row
23:19 - Is formal education necessary to be a musical repairman
27:30 - Working with vintage horns
31:14 - The TRUTH about what relacquering does to your saxophone
38:39 - Overhauling a Saxophone
43:30 - What it means to get a clean oil adjust
48:51 - Advise on buying instruments online
55:56 - Some history on the Selmer Mark VI
01:01:36 - Tips for people with little to no access on repair shops and tools
01:10:49 - Must-have basic tool/s
01:18:44 - Basic everyday maintenance
01:24:46 - Matt's take on saxophone clamps
01:27:51 - Best pads for your saxophone
01:30:46 - Upcoming projects
Our sponsor for this episode is Legere Reeds.
To learn more about why Derek Brown, Gerald Albright, and Eddie Daniels exclusively play Legere, visit www.legere.com
And for a limited time, if you live in the US or Canada, use the code EVERYTHINGSAX for 10% off at their store at shop.legere.com.
The store is only available to US and Canadian residents.

[@jameshowe8996]

Thank you Matt And Donna, the story about the customer bringing his own pads was priceless. And you kept a long term customer that could so easily resulted in a law suit. James H

[@andrea22213]

The integrity of this repairer is of the highest order. And the interviewer is wise enough not to interrupt. Excellent interview.

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

Thank you Andrea :)

[@zangsax]

Matt is a world class tech. I am a woodwind tech and if I was going to have someone else overhaul one of my horns it would be Matt if he had the time and I had the $😂. His videos are such a joy to watch.

[@patemblen3644]

What a great guy. I love his ethos of sharing knowledge for the betterment of everyone. Thanks so much Matt.

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

ferreestoolsinc has a thicker sort of gel that you can paint onto a horn and it will strip the lacquer just like the heated baths will. Don't think many people know about it yet though, bc I had to really look (for the original chemicals) to find it.

[@francois9144]

Yes. What a great moment to lesson to Matt. 👍😃

[@HarriRautiainen]

Matt, thanks for all your contributions to Sax on the Web! Donna, a good choice for your series. Harri

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thank you so much, Harri 👍🏻

[@JimGlass]

The founder of "Sax on the Web", Harri, it's always good to see you pop up in all the sax places. Donna, can we do podcast of one of the first sax forums on the Web?

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

Hi Jim, I did interview Harri for the podcast a while ago - check it out on our site: saxophonepodcast.com

[@selmer1971]

Very great interview

[@hockeyrd99]

Before getting my 1963 Mark VI tenor overhauled around 1993, I asked what the process was (it was starting to turn red on me since I didn't use it for a while). The woman doing the work had a good reputation. She told me she takes it apart, then sends out the bare parts to be dipped, buffed, then re-lacquered. Then she would get it back and put the pads, corks and felts on and put it back together. I didn't notice any difference in the sound or way it played, although the etchings weren't as sharp as they were. I got blasted by my friends (who all have Mark VI tenors and altos) for doing that. Got tired of hearing "you never re-lacquer a Mark VI"! lol So I only did it because I knew the parts would be dipped.

[@jeffmill]

Just discovered this podcast. Great material, and the host asks great questions and gives the guest time to speak. Subscribed!

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

Thanks Jeff!

[@keithcampbell6806]

Goodnight l have watched every video of Matt Stohrer and l would certainly like to work with him when l come over to the USA.

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

You should contact Matt - he's a great guy!

[@bobblues1158]

Great!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Glad you liked it!

[@enispenvy9174]

This is so awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. Donna and Matt are two of my favorites to follow.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Awesome! Thank you, and please help us out by sharing this episode :)

[@zeldemalevitz4996]

Excellent

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thank you!

[@sashaclarino9022]

Wonderful conversation!!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

Thanks for listening and glad you enjoyed it - please share :)

[@MrGuto]

Great talk. On the topic of relacquers, FWIW I got my first sax in 1991, a brand new Selmer SA80II alto I bought directly from the Selmer showroom in Paris when I was living there. It quickly developed a few large dark stains of solder flux stains around some posts. Not knowing any better I returned it asking for a solution. They sent it back to their factory and re-lacquered it. It came back as beautiful as new with the engraving still looking sharp, playing great. I kept it for 10 years till I found a Mark VI I replaced it with. I guess when they do know how to do, a relacquer indeed can have very little impact to the horn.

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

Thanks for sharing that Guto - that tip from Matt about relacquers was an eye-opener for me too :)

[@JacksonParodi]

fantastic episode, thanks for putting this up

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JustinPast]

37:50 What is the place in Pittsburg with the 100 year old plating set up?

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

I am not sure, but reach out to Matt on Instagram or on his site and ask...

[@StohrerMusic]

Volkwein's, ask for Mike in repairs.

[@JustinPast]

@@StohrerMusic thank you, Matt. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge so freely.

[@FernandoFerreira-kf6kz]

Matt who can I send my series 2 alto to in L.A?

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

Please contact him via email - he may not see your question here

[@curtisvalle5141]

Fascinating.... lying to Paul Ash...smh. Did either of you know Dooley Weilert in KC? Quite a character with a fairly wide rep in the repair community. Wish I had spent more time with him. Thanks to you both!

[@EverythingSaxophonePodcast]

Glad you liked it!

[@StohrerMusic]

I did not lie to Paul Ash- I am unsure where the misunderstanding is but I feel I have to correct it since it is publicly stated. I had a good relationship with Paul and didn't get into it during the podcast, but he and I talked more than usual for a random low level hire, and he looked out for me on several occasions and made things happen that would have at least taken longer if they happened at all without his help. I was fortunate to know him, and he singlehandedly gave me the break, whether he was fully serious or not, that opened up this world of repair to me. "Move to New York and call me back."

[@DonnaSchwartz]

@@StohrerMusic Thank you, Matt, for correcting that and for a fantastic episode :)