A Martin Imperial reborn – from failed overhaul to masterpiece

A Martin Imperial reborn – from failed overhaul to masterpiece

Recently, a unique alto saxophone was offered at Specialsax.nl : a Martin Imperial from the 1960s. A beautiful instrument with a history, but unfortunately not in the condition it deserved.

The owner, Hans, had recently had his sax serviced elsewhere . When he got the instrument back, everything seemed fine at first glance—but upon playing it, it quickly became apparent something was seriously wrong. The sax was leaking everywhere, the pads were stuck on with hot melt, and there was glue residue in several places. It looked as if my eight-year-old niece had been working on it. The result: a sax that was barely playable .

Time for a real overhaul

When Hans came to see me, he was disappointed, but determined to get his beloved Martin back in top condition. We decided to completely redo the overhaul—as it should be.

All the valves were removed, the body was thoroughly cleaned, and all the mechanical components were meticulously inspected. New pads, perfectly closing valves, tight tuning, and a fresh look. After about a week of hard work, the Martin Imperial sounded like new again—lively, warm, and full of character.

A satisfied saxophonist

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I had my sax, a Martin Imperial from the sixties, overhauled by Johan. It now plays like a new person, is smooth under my fingers, has an easy response, and sounds much more dynamic than before the overhaul. What more could a saxophone lover ask for?!"

Craftsmanship makes the difference

An overhaul is more than just installing new pads. It's precision work where every detail matters. A well-executed overhaul determines how a saxophone sounds, responds, and feels. At Specialsax.nl, we take the time to ensure every instrument sounds as it was originally intended.

Do you also have a vintage saxophone that deserves better?
👉 Contact Specialsax.nl and discover what a real overhaul can do.