The New CE Winds Post Factory Regulation Procedures

In order to help align ourselves with standard procedure within the saxophone industry, CE Winds Series instruments will now offer several options when it comes to post factory regulation and set ups, including some lower cost options which we feel will help more players purchase CE Winds instruments at even better prices.

All saxophones, whether well known major brands like Selmer & Yamaha, to brands such as ours CE Winds, require a certain amount of attention and set up in the post manufacturing process. Tone holes and key heights always need specific attention in order to get optimum performance out of your instrument. We have heard from techs that they charge between $500.00-900.00 for a complete professional set up and regulation on a brand new Selmer Reference saxophone or Yamaha 875 or 82z. Most people do not pay for this regulation (unless they are a professional musician) because the saxophones generally will play well as is. However, in the hands of the right tech, they can perform with much more precision for those that need it and are willing to pay for it.

Through 2011, all CE Winds Pro Series instruments underwent a professional set up and regulation as a standard procedure, and the cost was built into the purchase price of the instrument. As of Jan 1, 2012, CE Winds will offer the Professional Set Up and Regulation as an added cost option, and offer the Standard Regulation as the included option, which will help lower the costs of the CE Winds Pro Series for the consumers not needing the additional service. This will also help us increase the availability of the CE Winds Pro Series saxophones in hopes to alleviate or eliminate the ‘wait lists’ for CE Winds Pro Series saxophones.

All regulations, whether Standard or Professional, are done by our certified professional woodwind technicians. Here is what will be included in the Standard Regulation for CE Winds Pro Series Saxophones vs. Professional Set Up & Regulation:

Standard Regulation ($200 value)

Leak Check – This is a standard procedure for saxophones and assures the instrument will be 100% leak free when you receive it.

Basic Tone-Hole Service – The basic tone-hole service is to ensure that there are no major tone hole issues such as notches, dents, and/or flashing, that can tear into pads

Basic Key Action Balance – Basic balancing of the key action to ensure equal spring tension on all keys

Basic Key Height Adjustment – Basic adjusting of key heights to ensure equal key heights throughout the instrument, based on our standard measurement

Standard Regulation – Instrument is test played, metered and adjusted to ensure accurate intonation and tone throughout the registers. During this process the instrument has all keys oiled/lubricated and checked for inaccuracies.

Neck Fitting – The neck is checked to ensure there are no leaks between the neck tenon and the neck receiver.

Professional Set Up & Regulation ($600 Value)

During the Professional Set Up & Regulation, the instrument is completely disassembled for a full evaluation. This set up and regulation can take up to two weeks, but we ask that you allow 3 weeks additional when requesting this procedure.

Custom Tone-Hole Service – While dissembled, each tone hole is inspected & leveled as needed. Flashing is removed, and all pads are reseated or replaced as necessary.

Custom Key Action Balance – Based on your requirements as a player, we can set the spring tension to your need, firm, loose, or the standard medium tension.

Custom Key Height Adjustments – Based on your requirements as a player, each key height is adjusted to your need, low, high, or the standard medium height.

Ventilation Enhancement – The instrument undergoes ventilation enhancements which help improve tone and response even in the highest altissimo range.

No Bounce Installed – Where needed, we replace corks and felts with special no bounce material which is much more forgiving, and overall helps the instrument perform at it’s peak level.