Saxaphone Help

I did not play sax, but with other reed instruments, wiping with alcohol would be more appropriate. I have only ever washed a brass instrument with water (then re-oiled and lubed it). Good luck.
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I found this advice:

"The smell is most likey from bacteria. Bacteria is everywhere, and, especially in saliva, even if you do brush your teeth. Decaying living organisms generate stink, plain and simple. Keeping the inside of your sax and neck dry is of utmost importance as related to smell. My suggestion: apply a set of key clamps when you're finished playing. Swab out the sax and neck as best you can. I use 3 different swabs EVERY time I clean out one of my horns. 1st I use an Ann Hodge tenor swab, followed by yet another different Ann Hodge tenor swab and then a BG chamois swab. Here is the "EXTRA" step I'm suggesting:
Buy some "anhydrous" isopropyl alcohol. Anhydrous simply means:without water, it's ALL alcohol. It dries super fast and kills 100% of ALL bacteria on contact. Either put the alcohol in a spray bottle and spray the inside of your horn, top and bottom, OR, have a dedicated sax diaper type swab just for this and liberally spray the alcohol onto the swab and swab out your sax several times...you can also apply the alcohol to a pad saver and place it in the horn but for no longer than 5-10 minutes. The alcohol will dry SUPER-FAST and leave absolutely NO residue, while killing 100% of the bacteria which causes the smell.".

Wash the swab(s) often.
Change out reeds often
Does the case smell?
It might have a fungus or bacteria growing in it that re-infects the sax every time it's used.
Try cleaning / drying the case or maybe get a new one.
All this washing, steaming etc seems to involve water - and moisture will aid in bacteria growth.
The anhydrous isopropyl alcohol should help clean/disinfect without adding any more moisture to the situation.
It might be a good idea for your son to really clean his teeth and tongue very well and often and try if possible to not eat before playing his sax (not always possible depending on when band and lunch are in his school schedule).
When he gets home, is there a safe place where he can leave the case open so air circulates and let's moisture evaporate?
Maybe a desiccant placed inside his case will help to dry up moisture.
Good luck!

I played sax for a number of years. I didn't have any problems with the smell though. You didn't say, did the steaming get rid of the smell? You have to prevent the bacteria from growing to get rid of the smell, and that means keeping it dry between uses.

Like others suggested, I would change the pads. The pads absorb the moisture and can start to stink.

My dad played tenor sax, I played tenor sax, and my daughter plays tenor sax--the same instrument. It's a very old instrument. It has never stunk. I have never in my life heard of ANYONE putting water inside of their instrument. You just don't do that! It will ruin the pads (which cost a LOT of money to have replaced; it will dry them out/shrink them) as well as cause rusting inside the machine wherever the water sits and dries.

It's smelling bad because you're putting water inside the machine, causing mildew or mold to set/invade the pads. Or it could be (also) bacteria from too much spit/spittle getting inside the machine.

You need to find someone who is an expert on saxophones who can do a thorough check of the machine. It will probably need a thorough cleaning--the right way--and some/many of the pads will probably need to be replaced, especially if it's never had one done, or it's been years since it's had a thorough cleaning.

And I would definitely quit running water through the machine to clean it! You're only making matters worse.

First of all, don't soak the instrument like the trombone players say, no offense, you can't flush out or soak a woodwind instrument like a saxophone with water like you can a brass instrument like a trombone, it will mess up the pads on the keys. Though you can run some water through just the neck though as long as you don't let the octave key pad get wet.

Does he take the reed off of the mouthpiece and take the mouthpiece off of the neck when he is done playing and putting the instrument up? Alot of beginner saxophone players leave the reed and mouthpiece and neck all together, which is a recipe for mold to grow. and if it gets bad enough it can eventally make you sick.

Even If he does put the instrument up properly, it still can have slight amounts of mold that can grow at places like that. you may want to get a small swab that you can pull through the neck. you can use it on the mouthpiece too. Mouthpieces and necks need to be swabbed out regularly to keep moisture from sitting in there and causing stuff to build up or grow.

He needs to run a swab through the body of the horn regularly too if he doesn't already do that as well.

My immediate suggestion is to change the pads assuming moisture is an issue and there is a potential for mold.

I played for years (alto) and mine always smelled funky. I changed the pads (the ones that cover the holes) and that helps.

The problem is that when you do anything like putting water in it, etc, you're not cleaning the pads, you're only cleaning the metal. Take it to a music store and ask them to change the pads. That should go a long way to helping the smell.

Good luck!

I played (alto) saxophone for 10 years (then unfortunately didn't touch it after high school). Anyway, did you use a mild dish soap and run it through with water? Rinse clean, then swap dry multiple times both ways..through the neck too.
After that he needs to take clean rags and carefully clean from top to bottom....use toothbrush to clean ligature, (that gets the most gunky) and make sure to use luke warm water so you don't warp the plastic...Then clean each and every pad and opening (there are some very small ones, but he needs to find a way to get to them - Qtips work good).
After this may need to gently tighten any loose screws.

I didn't do the 'thorough' cleaning above very often (maybe every couple months) and never had a problem with smell really. Just need to make sure you swab EVERY time so you don't put it away wet or it will get moldy and icky.

And as a fail safe...FEBREEZE it lol

GOOD LUCK!

ETA: If you are going to change the pads, have a pro do it! Although I would think when they steamed it, it shouldve taken care of this...but couldn't hurt.

Sounds like mildew. I would change the pads, and make sure he is cleaning it properly and storing it properly, with the mouthpiece and reed disassembled from the body of the sax. I don't play, but I played oboe, and also the guy who stands next to me in my church band is a sax player...he always takes his apart when he's done playing. His doesn't smell. :)

I was going to say the same thing as Kristina about changing the pads. Beyond that I never really had that problem...even as someone who wasn't the best about cleaning it when it done using it.

Have you smelled the pads? If they stink then you may have to have the pads replaced.

I would not use bleach. It can be corrosive. I would try moistening the swab with a vinegar solution. You might be able to use a damp cloth moistened with vinegar solution on pads if they smell.

He does need to use a swab every day since he's got stink issues. And also clean the mouthpiece.

What did the shop suggest? This must be a common problem.