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Daniele Bergese
I’m a repairman specialized in saxophones offering high quality repair services and “Vintage Saxophone Evolution” is the name of my brand. I can proudly claim that any kind of saxophone damage have always been repaired in my lab so far. Replacements are available at my lab or new ones can be handcrafted identical to the original parts. Your overhaul is personally-designed and it will result in your saxophone being perfected thanks to the wide range of interesting and fully-tested options regarding pads, resonators, springs, lacquer, keys balance and custom modifications. Any saxophone brands can be repaired at my lab and, over the years, I have developed a special expertise on Selmer, Conn, Buescher, King, Martin, Buffet, Keilwert, Yamaha and Yanagisawa saxophones. Upon request, special custom modifications can be provided for every saxophone brand and model, so to enhance the instrument qualities, in full compliance with its originality. The set up that is finally designed will drastically improve the saxophone performance, based on the customer’s requests. Every single detail will be thoroughly looked after and the saxophone will be subject to a deep and intesive playtesting. Fully overhauled saxophones include a 18-month warranty and free assistance. Please contact me for any further information, I will be pleased to answer.
GALLERY
MK6 with badly burned key. This MK6 had with a very badly burned key. Probably a clumsy attempt to solder the mechanism ruined part of it. It could not be polished properly or have it straight and presentable. A new piece had to be made
burned key
burned key
burned key
Newly reconstructed piece
Newly reconstructed piece
The new piece precisely fits the mechanism
The new piece precisely fits the mechanism
The new piece precisely fits the mechanism
The new piece precisely fits the mechanism
The new piece precisely fits the mechanism
Critically damaged key
Critically damaged key
Critically damaged key
Working on restoration
Newly rebuilt cups
Ready for soldering
After restoration
After restoration
After restoration
The plastic rollers on this Conn Transitional tenor were ugly-looking and undersized
Plastic rollers in bad shape and rusty pivots
Plastic rollers in bad shape and rusty pivots
Newly reconstructed mother of pearl rollers
Newly reconstructed mother of pearl rollers
Critical damage
Critical damage
Critical damage
Key reconstruction
Key reconstruction
Key reconstruction
After restoration
Broken brace
Missing brace
Working on restoration
Deformed tenon receiver
After restoration
After restoration
After restoration
Large and unusable spring hole
Spring hole restoration
New spring with the correct diameter fitting perfectly
Conn key damage, the key is broken and the piece is lost
Conn key damage, the key is broken and the piece is lost
The key is reconstructed and perfectly aligned. Unfortunately the customer, beacuse of the extra cost, did not want the key silver plated
The thumb screw is worn out
The thumb screw is worn out
The thumb screw is worn out
Newly rebuilt screw
Newly rebuilt screw
Critical damage
Critical damage
Critical damage
Working on restoration
After Restoration
After Restoration
After Restoration
Critical damage
Critical damage
Critical damage
Critical damage
After restoration
After restoration
Critical neck damage
Critical neck damage
Critical neck damage
Critical neck damage
Key damage
Neck restoration
Neck restoration
Neck restoration
Neck restoration
Restored neck
Restored neck
Restored neck
Neck damages & bad soldering
Neck damages & bad soldering
Damaged & useless posts
Neck damage, bad soldering and broken arm
Dirt & dents
Obstructed hole
Working on restoration
After restoration
After restoration
Bent key
Bent key
After restoration
After restoration
After restoration
After restoration
After restoration
Microtuner crack
Custom ring
Custom ring
Custom ring
Custom ring
Repaired crack
Repaired crack
Repaired crack
Restored microtuner
The original key was lost. A ugly-looking modern one was soldered to the original Balanced Action neck
The original key was lost. An ugly-looking modern one was soldered to the original Balanced Action neck
Newly reconstructed key
Newly reconstructed key
Newly reconstructed key
Newly reconstructed plate with its original asymmetric posts
Restored neck
Restored neck
Restored neck
Before cleaning
After hand polishing and springs replacement
Before
After
Before
After
Missing post
Reconstruction of the post and screw
Selmer Super Balanced Action
Rusty screw
Damaged ring
Restored ring
Rusty screws
Restored screws
Restored screws
New springs
Disassembled sax
Ready for new pads, felts and corks
New pads
New resonators
All new pads are carefully checked for a perfect and precise sealing
Selmer Super Balanced Action complete overhaul
Disassembled Mark VI. Oxidized keys and old pads
Before hand polishing
After hand polishing
Before hand polishing
After hand polishing
Before hand polishing
After hand polishing
Before hand polishing
After hand polishing
Checking, Cleaning And Fixing All The Body Parts
Sax Ready For Complete Overhaul
Restored saxophone
Old pads
Cleaned keys
Old cork and dirty neck
New cork
Before
After
Before
After
Rusty screws
Strip screws
Restored screw
Restored screw
Carnival surprise
Before
After
Disassembled saxophone body for cleaning, dents repair & complete springs replacement
Assembled saxophone body
New pads and resonators
Restored saxophone
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck damages
Neck after restoration
Neck after restoration
Neck after restoration
Neck after restoration
Neck after restoration
Disassembled sax
Cleaned keys
Sax restoration
Parts removed for restoration
Before restoration
After restoration
Before restoration
After restoration
Body restored
Body restored
Engravings
Engravings
Engravings
Engravings
Engravings
Conn New Wonder baritone 1926
Conn New Wonder baritone 1926
Conn New Wonder baritone restoration
Conn New Wonder baritone restoration
Conn New Wonder baritone bad soldering
Conn New Wonder baritone bad soldering
Conn New Wonder baritone damage
Conn New Wonder baritone damages
Conn New Wonder baritone damages
Conn New Wonder baritone restoration
After restoration
After restoration
After restoration
Conn New Wonder baritone restored 1926
Vintage Evolution Conn New Wonder Virtuoso Deluxe synthetic pads
Synthetic pads with my Gold plated solid brass custom resonators
New bronze flat springs
New rebuild mother pearl roller
New rebuild mother pearls roller
Full pearls
8 Full Pearls
Full Pearls
1937 Buescher Aristocrat tenor Series I
Snap-On before restoration
Cleaning and polishing
Cleaning and polishing
My original Snap-On reserve for repalcements
All the keys and Snap-On restored
Snap-On restored with new pads
Snap-On restored with new pads
New high performance gold plated Norton springs for Buescher Aristocrat tenor. Original Norton springs are very good quality but after 80 years they are prone to exhaustion and weakness. The new springs are reconstructed on their original thread and they surprisingly improve the technical quality of Buescher saxophones. Thanks to a suitable diameter spring selection, it is also possible to improve the action based on the characteristics of the saxophone and the player’s needs
Newly rebuilt gold plated norton spring
Buescher Aristocrat restotred. Professional set up with new pads, resonators, corks, felts and springs
“01” neck. 1937 Buescher Aristocrat alto Series I
Neck before restoration
Neck before restoration
Neck before restoration
Neck restoration
Neck restoration
Neck after restoration
Octave key before restoration. The octave key is seriously deformed. The missing original top screw is replaced with a soldered nail. The hinge screw rod is bent. The mechanism is not working
Octave key before restoration. The octave key is seriously deformed. The missing original top screw is replaced with a soldered nail. The hinge screw rod is bent. The mechanism is not working
New screw hinge screw rod were made. All parts were cleaned and straightened
Key after restoration
Key after restoration
Key before restoration
Key before restoration
Key before restoration
Key before restoration
Key after restoration
Key after restoration
Key after restoration
Before cleaning
After hand polishing
Rebuilding Norton Springs. The original Norton springs were worn out and weak. The Norton Springs were rebuilt with their original threads. The new springs greatly improve the saxophone performance and efficiency. With a suitable diameter spring selection, the saxophone action and response was enhanced, by providing a modern fast key feeling
New rebuild Norton Springs. The original Norton springs were exhausted and weak. I rebuilt the Norton Springs with their original threads. The new springs greatly improve the saxophone performance and efficiency. With a suitable diameter spring selection, the saxophone action and response was enhanced, by providing modern fast key feeling
New rebuild Norton Springs. The original Norton springs were exhausted and weak. I rebuilt the Norton Springs with their original threads. The new springs greatly improve the saxophone performance and efficiency. With a suitable diameter spring selection, the saxophone action and response was enhanced, by providing a modern fast key feeling
Buescher restored. Restored saxophone. Professional set up with new pads, resonators, corks, felts and springs. Unfortunately the Snap-On system was seriously compromised, it could have been fixed with the missing parts replaced but the customer preferred to remove it and replace the Snap on with modern resonators.
1945 Buescher Big B tenor before restoration
Buescher Big B before restoration
Compromised snap on
Keys cleaned
New pads
New pads with Selmer metal resonators
Original Norton springs were exhausted and in a very bad shape
Original Norton springs were exhausted and in a very bad shape
Original Norton springs were exhausted and in a very bad shape
Original Norton springs were exhausted and in a very bad shape
Compromised Norton Springs
Compromised Norton Springs
Rebuilding Norton Springs
Newly rebuilt Norton Springs
Sax after gentle and accurate hand polishing
Newly rebuilt Norton Springs
Newly rebuilt Norton Springs
Newly rebuilt Norton Springs
Rough attempt to improve intonation
Rough attempt to improve intonation, I had to remove the internal modification to restore the saxophone tone holes
Strap ring damage
Repaired strap ring
1945 Buescher Big B tenor after restoration. Professional set up with new pads, resonators, corks, felts and springs
Sax disassembled for restoration
Damaged rods
Soldering problems
Neck after restoration
Neck after restoration
Gold plated solid brass custom resonators
Beautiful key engravings
Beautiful key engravings
Beautiful key engravings
Beautiful key engravings
Full pearls
Full pearls
Full pearls
Restored sax
Engravings
The silver neck miss the ring
New rebuild custom ring
New rebuild custom ring
New rebuild screws with original thread
Full pearls
Full pearls
Key engravings
Sax restored
Disassembled sax
Engravings
Old springs
New springs
Exhausted springs
New flat spring
Rusty flat spring
Flat spring restored
All parts restored
New pads
New resonators
Neck before cleaning
Neck after cleaning
Neck restored
Full pearls
Full pearls
Restored sax
Neck damages
Neck after restoration
Old cork
New cork
Dent
Dent
After restoration
Restored sax
FOR SALE
ONE PIECE SOLID BRASS CUSTOM RESONATORS
My custom resonators enhance harmonics, sound presence and projection. Saxophone articulation and response is faster and preciser. They are one solid piece of brass, shaped domed and beautifully finished. You can enrich your sound preserving your timber without changing your mouthpiece. I make custom sizes for every saxophone according to the saxophone characteristic and the player’s requirement. Any time you will have to change a pad you can easily remove the resonator from the old pad and place it to the new one. Once you have a custom set it will become a part of your saxophone. My custom resonators are high quality handcrafted and sold with 3 years warranty.
NEWLY HANDMADE GOLD PLATED BUESCHER NORTON SPRINGS
New high performance gold plated Norton springs for Buescher saxophones. Often original Norton springs are exhausted and weak giving slow and tired keys action. My new springs surprisingly improve Buescher technical performance moreover with a suitable diameter spring selection it is possible to improve the action according to the saxophone’s characteristics and player’s needs. I Rebuilded Norton Springs from the best materials respecting original thread. 3 years warranty. Sprigs are avaiable for all “Aristocrat” and “400” models.
ORIGINAL BUESCHER NORTON SPRINGS NEW OLD STOCK
Very rare and difficult to find, my “Original Buescher Norton Springs” reserve for sale. Please contact me to know the availability of springs diameter and length. I also have for sale used Norton springs and original Buescher snap on.
REPAIR SHOP
Prices
Saxophone overhaul : 1000 €
Partial overhaul: 400-600 €
Hand-polished plated finish: 150-250 €
Neck cork replacement: 40 €
Neck tenon fit: 25 €
Needle springs - full repalcement: 100 €
Flat springs - full replacement: 50 €
One piece solid brass custom resonators: 300 €
Newly handmade gold plated Buescher Norton springs: 450 €
Repair services and custom modifications: 40 € /hr
QUOTES
What saxophonists say about me
I have had the pleasure in my life of knowing two of the great master technicians Sol Fromkin (NYC) and Emilio Lyons (Boston). Apart from being seasoned in the art of sax repair they both exhibited the love, passion and acute understanding of the instrument as well as what distinguishes one player from another. I am very pleased to say that Daniele Bergese embodies the same technical expertise,love,passion and acute understanding of what makes " vintage" truly special! He not only listens to the player but gives special attention to details that most would treat the same as any other saxophone. Meaning the ability to think outside the box while retaining the character of the instrument. My Zephyr Special is more "Special" after being awakened by Daniele's artistry!!
After recently purchasing a 1957 King Super 20 from alto saxophonist extraordinaire (and good friend) Jesse Davis, I've been thoroughly enjoying the craftsmanship imparted on this instrument by Daniele Bergese.
His custom brass resonators and stellar key action make this horn a pleasure to play. From endless power and projection to whisper soft, the tone and intonation are unsurpassed.
Anyone looking for a great restorer/repair/custom saxophone craftsman be sure to give Daniele a look. His work is clearly first class.
Very rarely have I happened to have in my hands saxophones so efficient and perfectly balanced as those that Daniele worked on for me. His precision, his method and his obsession for detail make the distinction between him and other good technicians. In addition to being a good saxophonist, he is able to be at the service of the musician who addresses him, comprehending every need. It 's very relaxing for me to know there is a technician of this level just a few miles from home!
It was a pleasure to meet you Daniele at the Blue Note .
I very much enjoyed trying out the Conn New Evolution gold plated tenor .
What a horn . It was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever played with the greatest most rich sound !
You do amazing work keeping these beautiful old ladies alive and modified for today’s sax player .
Many thanks .
In Daniele Bergese ho finalmente trovato il professionista a cui affidare la manutenzione dei miei strumenti. Mi piace molto la sua scrupolosità, quasi maniacale, nell'intervenire sul minimo dettaglio e infatti lo strumento dopo le sue cure “suona”. Per me è molto confortante sapere che a pochi chilometri da Torino c'è un grande riparatore di sassofoni.
Ho affidato a Daniele Bergese la messa a punto dei miei strumenti: due saxofoni tenore Selmer Balanced Action (uno del '35 e l'altro del '40), con cui suono attualmente e un sax baritono Conn Chu Berry del 1926 (n. di serie vicinissimo al primo baritono di Gerry Mulligan), attualmente in corso di riparazione. Sento il dovere di rendere pubblico il mio entusiasmo per avere trovato in Daniele il riparatore, la persona di fiducia alla quale affidare la cura dei miei strumenti. Ho rilevato in lui tutti i coefficienti che possono fare di un giovane un grande specialista in un mestiere difficile, poco remunerativo se rapportato alla competenza necessaria e purtroppo un po' fuori moda.
My saxophones play very easily, since I entrust them to the care of "Doctor Daniele". He is scrupulous, competent, skilled and honest.
Daniele is a top notch technician. His craftsmanship, experience and passion for vintage saxophones make him the reference for somebody who's looking for maximum results out of his horn, and the favorite personal setup as well. You can't go wrong with him!
Ho conosciuto Daniele suonando insieme a lui, quindi prima come musicista e poi come tecnico. Nella sua attività di riparatore ho ritrovato la stessa passione, la stessa precisione, la stessa sensibilità che avevo conosciuto ed apprezzato nel suo modo di suonare. Daniele non è semplicemente un riparatore di altissima preparazione e competenza: è un vero e proprio artista della riparazione.
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CONTACTS
