How to Replace Sax Neck Cork
Saxopohone Neck Cork Installation Instructions
How to Install Saxophone Neck Cork
Saxophone Repair
Click Here for Instrument Clinic Saxophone Neck Cork Kits for Sale
The following instructions are intended to serve as a guideline on how to install saxophone neck cork. The instructions are the same for all natural saxophone neck cork and synthetic saxophone neck cork. Follow all safety instructions when using contact cement, as it is extremely flammable. If you don't feel comfortable using any of the tools required for replacing saxophone neck cork, please have a professional install your saxophone neck cork.
You will need the following items to install your saxophone neck cork:
Natural Saxophone Neck Cork or Synthetic Saxophone Neck Cork
Contact Cement (don’t use water based)
Sharp razor blade
Soap and water (or rubbing alcohol)
240 grit sandpaper
Popsicle stick or other flat object
Step 1
Preparing The Saxophone Mouthpiece for Saxophone Neck Cork Replacement
Place a piece of tape on the mouthpiece as shown to protect surfaces that will not be corked when you install your new saxophone neck cork.
Remove all of the old saxophone neck cork
With a pair of pliers, gently remove the old saxophone neck cork from the saxophone neck. Rotate the saxophone neck back and forth, while gently gripping the pliers until all of the old sax neck cork is removed.
Step 3
Sand The Saxophone Neck
With 240 grit sandpaper, sand all of the glue off the saxophone neck. Then clean the neck with rubbing alcohol, or soap and water. The saxophone neck must be extremely clean before applying adhesive for saxophone neck cork replacement.
Step 4
Cut the new saxophone neck cork
Cut the cork to the appropriate size for your saxophone neck. The general rule is to cover all of the originally corked area. If you are in doubt, it is at least 1 1/2” inches. Then apply a beveled edge to the new saxophone neck cork. If you are using Instrument Clinic to replace saxophone cork, you will not need to cut a beveled edge, as our saxophone neck cork is pre-beveled.
Step 5
Apply contact cement to new sax neck cork
Apply
contact cement to the back of the saxophone cork (the side with the
“x’s”). Also apply contact cement to the beveled edge on the top side of
the saxophone neck cork (black line). Then apply the contact cement to
the saxophone neck, before installing new saxophone neck cork.
It will take 2-3 coats of contact cement for the replacement saxophone cork and 1 coat for the saxophone neck. Let the cement dry between coats (usually 10 minutes or so). It is better to have more thin coats than to try to get enough in one thick coat. The cement will look glossy and feel tacky when you have enough coats. You should never need more than one coat on the saxophone neck. Let the contact cement dry
Step 6
Installing new saxophone neck cork
Position
the new saxophone neck cork on the saxophone neck, about 1/3 of the way
over from the beveled edge. You want to be sure the beveled edge of the
new saxophone neck cork does not end up being the edge of the cork that
gets cut off.
Gently wrap the new saxophone neck cork around the neck, while being careful to make sure the new saxophone neck cork is lining up properly with the end of the saxophone neck. Use a popsicle stick, or other flat object to press the beveled edge of the replacement saxophone neck cork area of the new saxophone neck cork into place. You don’t want to use your hands on the new saxophone neck cork adhesive, as this can cause the neck saxophone cork to not stick.
Step 7
Trim New Saxophone Neck Cork
Once the new saxophone neck cork is wrapped around the saxophone neck, carefully trim the excess saxophone neck cork off the saxophone neck. Roll the saxophone neck cork back and forth on a bench block or piece of wood, while applying firm pressure to the new saxophone neck cork.
Step 8
Sand Replacement Saxophone Neck Cork
Using 240 grit sandpaper, gently sand the cork. Occasionally test fit the saxophone mouthpiece. If you have sanded enough of the newly installed saxophone neck cork, it should be snug, but not extremely hard to get on. Then apply a liberal amount of cork grease to the new saxophone neck cork. If you find that the saxophone mouthpiece is to hard to get on, you can sand more, but it will be harder once you have applied cork grease because the grease will instantly clog your sandpaper. If the mouthpiece is too loose, you have sanded too much and will need a new piece of cork.
