Mike Livingston – Saxophone Repair Technician

Touring Repair Shop

You’ve loved and cherished your vintage saxophone for decades. You know it’s value has grown over the years, but the real value to you is in its story: who the original owner was, when you acquired it, the memorable gigs you played on it, the the way it looks in its case, the way it feels in your hands. Some day you’ll give it the overhaul it deserves, a slow methodical restoration from a detailed craftsman who specialized in vintage professional saxophones.

I spent several years in New York, training in some of the city’s finest saxophone shops and playing in broadway pits. I’ve now taken these skills on the road, touring with Disney’s Frozen the Musical. While traveling across this country I’ve met so many saxophonists who love their vintage instruments but struggle to find a local technician who they trust to overhaul their horns. These conversations have helped shape my traveling repair shop. I tour with a complete set of tools to fully restore vintage saxophones. I take on one instrument at a time and dedicate my full focus to that instrument. I work with customers to schedule their overhaul so that it is complete as I arrive in their city, giving us a two week window for pickup, play testing, and adjustments to be sure the horn plays and feels exactly how they want.

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Woodwind Doubling

As a performer I play multiple woodwinds in musicals. For many years I toured all over the world with and have spent time in NYC subbing into Broadway shows.

Reed 2:
oboe, english horn, clarinet, tenor sax, flute

– Broadway and New York –

Broadway
St. James Theater

(sub) Reed 2:

oboe, english horn, flute, clarinet, tenor sax

Broadway
New Amsterdam Theater

(sub) Reed 2:

oboe, english horn, clarinet, soprano sax, tenor sax

Broadway
Hudson Theater

(sub) Reed 3:

oboe, english horn, clarinet, alto sax

Broadway
Studio 54

(sub) Reed 3:

oboe, english horn, flute, clarinet, tenor sax

Off-Broadway
Barrow Street Theatre

(sub) Bb clarinet, A Clarinet

Broadway
The Broadway Theater

(sub) Reed 2:

clarinet, bass clarinet, english horn, alto sax, bari sax

Broadway
Al Herschfeld Theatre

(sub) Reeds:

flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax

Broadway
Neil Simon Theater

(sub) Reeds:

flute, clarinet, oboe, tenor sax, bari sax

Off-Broadway
Signature Theatre

(sub) flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano sax, alto sa, tenor sax, EWI

Off-Broadway
2nd Stage Theater

(sub) flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet

Lincoln Center

(sub) flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax

Off-Broadway
Davenport Theater

flute, clarinet, soprano sax, tenor sax

New Victory Theatre

flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax

– National Tours –

First National Tour,
Madison Square Garden

Reed 2 – oboe, english horn, flute, clarinet, tenor sax

(sub) Reed 1 – flute, piccolo, clarinet, alto sax

International Tour

Reed 3 – clarinet, bass clarinet, flute

International Tour

Reed 1 – flute, piccolo, clarinet, alto sax

National Tour

Reed 2 – flute, clarinet, tenor sax

International Tour

Reed 2 – oboe, english horn, flute, clarinet, tenor sax

National Tour

Reed 1 – flute, piccolo, clarinet, alto sax

Reed 2 – oboe, flute, clarinet, tenor sax, bari sax

– Regional Theater –

Beauty and the Beast
oboe, english horn

Annie
flute, clarinet, alto sax

The Count of Monte Cristo
oboe, english horn

Annie

(sub) Reed 2: oboe, english horn, clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor sax

(sub) Reed 3: flute, clarinet, alto sax, bari sax

Maine State Music Theatre

Mary Poppins

Reed 2: flute, piccolo, Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, english horn

– Phoenix Theatre –

1940’s Radio Hour
I Love a Piano
Guys and Dolls
Thoroughly Modern Millie
(sub) Curtains

Instruments for Sale

I don’t sell instruments but many that I have overhauled are sold through reputable shops. These are some of my favorites:

Balanced Action – 23,xxx

“This sax just received a full mechanical overhaul from Mike Livingston, who does excellent overhaul work … Take a close look at the left hand thumb rest. Mike affixed a smooth piece of cork here, which looks great and is very comfortable to the touch.”

DC Sax (sold)

Balanced Action – 25,xxx

“I sent the sax out to Mike Livingston for a mechanical overhaul, who truly did exceptional work on this sax. The sax feels tight and locked in in every register. The low range speaks very easily, a great mark of his exacting detail during this overhaul. The neck is original to the horn and very straight.”

DC Sax (sold)

SBA Alto – 37,xxx

“This saxophone just received a full mechanical overhaul from Mike Livingston, who does great repair work.”

DC Sax (sold)

SBA Alto – 38,xxx

“The sax just received a full mechanical overhaul from Mike Livingston, who does outstanding work. The sax arrived with all original pads and metal resonators, and Mike was able to reuse the resonators for the overhaul.”

DC sax (sold)

Mark VI Tenor – 92,xxx

“I sent it off to Mike Livingston for a full mechanical overhaul. Mike’s work is top notch, and this sax feels incredibly locked in from top to bottom..”

DC Sax (sold)

Mark VI Tenor – 95,xxx

“Mike Livingston just performed a full mechanical overhaul prior to sale. Mike’s work is exceptional, and this horn feels incredibly nimble and locked in. The low range is incredibly responsive with a ton of resonance.”

DC Sax (sold)

Mark VI Tenor – 98,xxx

“This sax is in excellent physical and mechanical condition. It just received a full mechanical overhaul from Mike Livingston, who does fantastic work … There is wonderful energy and vibration to the sound. The sax has great dynamic range and feels easy to push or whisper. The low range pops out with absolute ease down to low Bb.”

DC sax (sold)

Mark VI Tenor – 135,xxx

“This sax just received a full mechanical overhaul from Mike Livingston, who does great repair work. The horn is locked in and playing with ease from top to bottom.”

$7,900 at DC Sax

Mark VI Tenor – 137,xxx

“This saxophone just received a full mechanical overhaul from Mike Livingston.”

DC Sax (sold)

Mark VI Tenor – 141,xxx

“This sax just received a full mechanical overhaul from Mike Livingston, who does outstanding work. The horn feels tight and locked in, and really sings in all registers. The sax comes in its original case.”

DC Sax (sold)

Mark VII Alto – 270,xxx

“Original lacquer is about 95% and this horn was completely overhauled by Mike Livingston and outfitted with plastic resonators similar to the original setup from the factory. No pull down on the neck whatsoever.”

NYC Woodwinds (sold)

King Saxello – 77,xxx

“This horn was just overhauled by Mike Livingston, who does excellent repair work.”

DC Sax (sold)

King Super 20 – 333,xxx

“This sax just received a top of the line overhaul from Mike Livingston, who does incredible overhaul work.”

DC sax (sold)

Buescher Aristocrat – 341,xxx

“… it has a super sweet, singing sound, almost reminiscent of Benny Carter or Johnny Hodges. It’s also super responsive and plays into the palm keys with ease.”

$1695 at Barnard Repair

Selmer N Series – N397

“This is a great Selmer Bb clarinet ‘N’ series from 1946. It has recently been rebuilt with new pads and corks. A few cracks in the Grenadilla wood have been pinned and are sealed close.”

$950 at Barnard Repair

LeBlanc Symphonie – 11,xxx

“The clarinet is in really solid physical condition for its age, with standard play wear for an instrument of its vintage. There are a few pin repairs on this horn just above the “A” key on the upper joint, which have been done very well. Along with this, the horn has been recently rebuilt with new pads and corks and is ready to play!”

$995 at Barnard Repair

Noblet Model 27 – 90,xxx

“This is a vintage Noblet 27 clarinet from 1969. It was recently overhauled and is in fantastic shape. It also comes with its original case … this might be the perfect horn for a doubler that is looking to expand their arsenal. Either way, get this great clarinet for a great price while you can!”

$550 at Barnard Repair

Online Repair Coaching

Whether you are a player needing help diagnosing and fixing an issue with your instrument, or a hobbyist looking for guidance repairing at home, I’ve been there. Let’s schedule a repair coaching session and decide what you can do yourself and what should be brought in to a shop.

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Recommended Tools

Essentials

Leak Light

This one is light, flexible, and durable. Keep it in your case and you’ll always know if it’s your horn or your reed (it’s not you).

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Screwdriver

Toss one of these in each case. Keep your hinge rods from backing out, and use this with your leak light to dial in F# timing on your set break while the drummer is at the bar and the guitarist is selling CDs.

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Teflon Tape

Teflon tape makes a great band aide on the gig. Help a loose fitting mouthpiece, save a crumbling neck cork, even strap in a ripped or loose pad. This roll is extra wide!

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Lemon Oil

You probably have some of this laying around the house. A few drops on a Q-tip can clean and soften a sticky old pad. This bottle will last a life time.

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Tools to Fix Common Issues

Spring Hook

Some springs can be placed with your fingernail. Some can’t. Make your life easier and get a spring hook. If you’re crafty you can make something like this with some scrap metal and a file.

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Key Oil

You should be comfortable taking keys off, and you should always oil them when you put them back on. 10ml is plenty.

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Pipe Cleaners

Whenever you pull a key off, it will feel great to clean the out the hinge tube. It’s also fun to make snowflake decorations.

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Sax Neck Corks

Pre-cut to make your life easier. Make sure you have contact cement and razor blades.

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Clarinet Tenon Corks

Pre-cut to make your life easier. Make sure you have contact cement and razor blades.

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Sheet Cork

You’ll notice when bits of cork fall off your instrument. Keys start opening too far, metal clicks on metal, other keys stop closing together. It’s an inevitable problem and you can fix it. Start with 1/16. and 1/32.

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Felt Assortment

Pick up this set before you need it. Felts fall out, we’re all had it happen. You don’t need to take a trip to your music store to put a new one in.

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Contact Cement

If you want to glue cork or felt to your instrument (or elbows), this is the stuff. This tube should get you started.

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Razor Blades

Just buy them in bulk.

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Sandpaper

240 grit sand paper is great for shaping cork. These rolls are a convenient size for sanding neck corks.

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Ruler

You’ll want a good straight edge when cutting materials with a razor blade. These two sizes are both handy, and sometimes it’s nice to measure things.

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Hobbyist Basics

Shop Towels

these are more durable than your standard paper towel

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Screwdrivers

You’ll want the right sizes for a variety of jobs. Start with B and D.

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Parallel Pliers

With a strong emphasis on smooth-jawed, these pliers will allow you to get a tight grip on instrument parts with a very reduced risk of leaving marks and scratches.

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Butane Torch

The pointy flame on these little torches is awesome for melting shellac and hot glue. They can be used with one hand, and if you let go of it the flame stops. The only down side is that they don’t all last forever, so I buy a few at a time.

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Butane Refills

You’ll need these for your new torch

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Dental Tools

You’ll find lots of uses for these, especially with pad work. Just keep them out of your mouth.

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Drum Stick

Any old drum stick will do. You’ll saw it into pieces and make primitive tools that will become your best friends. Bonus points if you get a used stick from a drummer that really swings.

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Steel Wool