Saxophone Repair Topic: Resonators- How Do They Work? (Special Super Ramble-y Edition)

Saxophone repairman Matt Stohrer of www.StohrerMusic.com gets a good grip on the third rail and offers up an opinion of what resonators do (and don't do) as well as providing some perspective on how to think about them that is possibly more useful than the status quo, although as usual it is a little more complex and less satisfying.
Also, this is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong, misguided, but also handsome and I make no claim that this is the final answer on resonators. If giant platinum plated resonators make you happy, do that! No big deal.
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[@richardjarrett8972]

Rambling for you is freely sharing a wealth of knowledge for the rest of us...... Thankyou!

[@pariansou1426]

Ù

[@AutismusPrime69]

Don't simp

[@woodandwinds]

Still listening, but you’re spot on so far. There’s a researcher in McGill university in Montréal who did some complex analysis of resonator differences. I saw his talk pre-pandemic, where my main take away is that there’s actually no auditory difference between plastic and metal based off of blind tests. There was some very subtle way of detecting a sound pressure difference I think… only detectable via machines apparently. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this topic!

[@pangbokenneth]

Thanks for sharing and I laughed when you said how gold make the sound richer, silver makes it brighter and plastic resonators make it plasticy, so to the point that it hurts a little for me as an technician.

[@StohrerMusic]

I definitely knew I was rambling- I think I tried to end it like three times but just couldn't help myself. This is just my opinion, and if you like plutonium resonators with massive coverage and super high key heights with a Strathon Adjust-A-Tone or whatever and it makes you happy, great! This video is not trying to get you to change what makes you happy, at all, ever. But for those of you who 1) don't mind getting in the weeds and 2) want some tools for thinking about resonator choice so you can stress less about it, hopefully this helps.

[@ronpluijm]

Hey Matt, nice vid! We shouldn't even call it "resonators" because nothing is resonating on the so called "resonators" :) It should be called reflectors. I completely agree with your opinion about this subject. I'm in this line of work for 35 years now, and sometimes had requests for, in my opinion useless replacements of pads (reso's) or whatever they wanted to have changed. I've learned not to argue about these things with clients, although I always warn them upfront, not to spend money unnecessary . But nine out of ten situations, they seem to notice the difference. I don't... But then again, who am I to judge :)

[@williampeak7617]

Extremely well described, one repairer to another.

[@rusty728]

Unbelievable how much actually goes on there when a sax plays…. Never would have thought.

[@Jazzmarcel]

Ramble edition means for me a definite watch!👊🏾😡

[@richardcasey7521]

Thanks for honest statements about resonators.

[@ericsaxalto]

Thanks Matt! Your videos have helped me understand horns so much better. I love learning about instruments & their performance from your perspective as a repairman.

[@jimb4547]

I actually urethane coat brass resos and bake them in the oven at the lowest temp for a bit. Turns a nice dark color and dries quickly. Smells a bit tho 😂. I also acrylic laquer the pads as you do. Last so long that way. Love the vids and as always thanks for your help!! Jimmy

[@jackdolphy8965]

Spot on and complete explanation. Thank You!!

[@rpandocchi]

Do u happen to have a full set of those resonators you pulled out of the old Selmer Saxes…lol just kidding! Nice video and keep up the great work!

[@bassAsax]

Great vid Matt. There are so many variables in the saxophone “system” that it makes it hard to quantifly the contribution of each variable. Agree that setup is one of the biggest contributors to tone of the sax (the person being the other of course). Since nearly impossible to experimentally A/B each variable and measure contribution, the myths (and marketing) will always conntinue, sadly. Thanks for the PSA.

[@zeldemalevitz4996]

Another excellent, informative vid. Much thanks.

[@saxoferm]

This resonates with me

[@jesgot]

Thank you for your great informative videos! I'm just starting my journey towards learning the craft! And your videos really help as no repairmen I've talked with here in Sweden want to teach at all. So it's 100% trial and error at the moment.

[@StohrerMusic]

Get the Reg Thorp book; it is fantastic. Also you can see the content I’ve created, organized in an index here: www.stohrermusic.com/index/

[@zangsax]

Thanks Matt I love the resos Tenor madness sells -lifetime purchase

[@davidsunderland8063]

Thanks, important information🤔💛

[@leonhans5680]

Not acting like I know a lot about saxophone repair, but I feel like this video ignores any impact the resonators may have when the key is closed - when the resonator is part of the tube. Or do you think that's negligible?

[@leycroftcoman5487]

This chimes with me i also dont like the pads ive seen on the SA80 3.

[@davidsunderland8063]

What about wide rim tone holes🤔

[@Eduard_Kolesnikov]

Good

[@butterattack]

You mention you like the flat brass resos you're installing here and that they are "nice and light." What brand are they? Added key mass has always been my main concern with metal resonators, so I would appreciate a recommendation on ones you think are reasonably light.

[@StohrerMusic]

I don't think added mass is a major problem except for on some of the larger, full coverage philosophy reusable custom resonators you see every once in a while. That said, I use the Tenor Madness resonators (they are available in a few places but that is the one easiest to find) when I do reusable resonators. Reso-Techs are a good bit lighter, but they are pretty insubstantial IMO for the price (like $130 plus per set). If you want the lightest metal resonators, go for non-reusable. They are like 50 cents apiece and as light as anything else, including plastic.

[@butterattack]

@@StohrerMusic Great! Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and time.

[@whototeru]

What happened to your Conn transitional alto video?

[@StohrerMusic]

It got accidentally deleted and lost forever a long while back when KZbin had a UI issue. I’ll be making a 6M video soon.

[@DavyRayVideo]

So, I guess it never occurred to you to use different color resonators on different keys to correct small intonation problems? It's a good thing that you (almost) did not mention lacquer. Boy, I remember those wars online. Insert smiley here.

[@xoxomat216]

well i am a Saxophone Player and repairer. i disagree on some points. You will hear a significant, i would say big, differenc in a Horn with Rersonators than without. Plastics are different than Metall, heavier Metall are different alltogether because of adding weight to the Horn. Did all this experiences with my own Horn extensively. The biggest difference is the feel of the Horn playing it, more than the Sound for a listener that is maybe right. All that is enough to matter for most professional saxplayers.

[@mistrsax]

Matt: My old tech put kangaroo pads and Noyak (sp) resonators in my MkVI over 15 yrs ago. I play a lot, my horn is very bright, and the key heights are high. The pads are still like new! Replacements have been only the smallest pads in the upper stack. I've appreciated the longevity of the pads. What's your opinion on this and esp the Noyak boosters? I really enjoy your videos. Thanks! - Rudy 👍🎷