Hi all,

I'm looking for a set of Alto sax mother of pearl keys. Anyone help? I've trawled the net and can only find them in The States. Surely there's a shop in UK that sell them? They're for a Trevor James horn if that helps. I even tried the TJ website but no luck.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

Really hard to get real mother of pearl keys from anywhere, they're nearly all imitation MOP now. Can be cheaper to try and find an old beaten up sax in a second hand shop and take the keys off that.

I'll have a word with my mate who owns a shop on Denmark Street and see if he knows where to get some. When he was running his shop in the Angel, he had a guy in there who did sax overhauls and sales. Should have got my tenor done then although having said that, aint played it in about 15 years!

ATB

Mike

Really hard to get real mother of pearl keys from anywhere, they're nearly all imitation MOP now. Can be cheaper to try and find an old beaten up sax in a second hand shop and take the keys off that.

I'm happy to buy imitation if it's good quality. I don't want old ones though, I have them, it's a set of new ones I'm after.

Cheers anyway.

Regards,

Dave

I'll have a word with my mate who owns a shop on Denmark Street and see if he knows where to get some. When he was running his shop in the Angel, he had a guy in there who did sax overhauls and sales. Should have got my tenor done then although having said that, aint played it in about 15 years!

ATB

Mike

Mike,

I'm obliged. Imitation is fine if good quality. I've found where I can buy individual ones (imitation) at 85p each online but at 3.50 for postage (for each one!), I'm looking to buy a set. Help appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

It's a pleasure to help. I will speak to my mate but having just got in from work, I checked an old address book and have still got the details of the repairer who was recommended to me when I spoke about repairs to the guy who sold me my horn. Funny thing is I bought it off him in 1979 when I used to live in Norwich and years later ended up moving into the next street in Willesden Green!

Anyway, the repairer's name is:-

Martin Block

12 Elm Park

Stanmore

0208 954 4347

These details were given to me a while ago now but I've checked on the internet, and he is still advertising! Could be worth giving him a call.

I'll get back to you.

Mike

Hi Dave

I popped into my mates shop at lunchtime but he has unfortunately lost touch with his sax tech so he wasn't much help I am afraid. As I was passing the Sax.co.uk anyway, I popped in and their tech, Mark, a really helpful guy, kindly offered to ring Trevor James and try and get a price for a set of the "key touches" . I'll let you know what he says.

ATB

Mike

Hi Dave

I popped into my mates shop at lunchtime but he has unfortunately lost touch with his sax tech so he wasn't much help I am afraid. As I was passing the Sax.co.uk anyway, I popped in and their tech, Mark, a really helpful guy, kindly offered to ring Trevor James and try and get a price for a set of the "key touches" . I'll let you know what he says.

ATB

Mike

Hey Mike,

I'm obliged Matey. I'm onto another set too but they're in The States.

Cheers for the effort, it's appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

Dave you might want to contact John Coppen Woodwind or Mike Edwards Woodwind in London to see if they've got what you want. Both based in London and probably the best bet in finding bits, spares and parts for saxes. Your kid could pick em up for you or I could if you needed someone who needs a bit of knowledge of the sax. Might help, might not, but worth a try. Cheers Warren

Hi Dave

Think I've got this sorted for you.

In the absence of hearing from the feller at sax.co today, I spoke to Roz at Trevor James ( Tel 01622 859590 ) She's lovely and helpful and basically they have what you want in stock - she refers to the items as "mother of pearl touch pieces " and a set is 6 round 1 small 2 oval. However, don't ask me or her why, but they apparently only supply to retailers. Suggested retailers in London are Howarths (0207 935 2407) who are in Chiltern Street just off Baker Street, W1 or Chaz Foots (0207 437 1811) not sure of spelling but I know their shop in Golden Square which is near Piccadilly Circus. I know both these shops and believe they are both very reliable.

Essentially what you need to do is ask either of these retailers to place an order for you with Trevor James and she says that the maximum retail price will be £8.00 inc vat. They can send the items to you direct if the retailer gives them an email confirming where to dispatch to and they will send the sales invoice to the retailer.

Otherwise, I work in Oxford Circus and it would be no trouble for me to drop into either shop and pick them up for you and post them if you would like.

Hope this is the solution but do let me know if I can help any further.

ATB

Mike

Edited October 20, 201114 yr by autumnstoned

Warren, Mike,

I'm much obliged. I'll try the companies you pinpointed.

Help is really appreciated Guys.

Regards,

Dave

Warren, Mike,

I am now the proud owner of a genuine brand new set of REAL "Mother of Pearl" keys. (Or will be when they arrive). I tracked down a set in the US eventually. I just wanted to thank you for all your assistance. It was appreciated and helped me in making a decision as to what to buy.

Best,

Dave