Saxophonist & Repair Technician, Paul Maslin; How PM Woodwinds creates a saxophone community, Ep. 255

Update: 2025-11-06

Description

This week, Donna sits down with Paul Maslin, founder of PM Woodwind Repair and one of the most trusted names in the saxophone world. Paul's shop has been a go-to spot for pros and enthusiasts alike for over 30 years, and in this episode, he shares how he built a community around quality, craftsmanship, and love for the instrument.

⬇️ You'll hear:

00:00 How he got into music and schools he went to

05:31 The reason behind PM Woodwinds's success

08:47 Paul's repair mentors

10:25 Time it takes to do repairs

14:09 How Selmer makes their bells

17:34 Why the neck is so important

20:03 Always have a backup neck

22:33 Simple repairs and how to fix the octave key

26:36 What he means by a bent or pulled-downed neck

31:24 You're the one that makes the sound

32:42 Another simple adjustment every sax player can do

35:43 The real problem is halfway between…

39:21 Are all cheap horns bad?

42:20 Best brand for entry level saxophones

45:06 What to look for when buying brand new horns

46:23 Pro-level brands he carry

47:16 What to consider or check when buying used horns

50:24 Lacquer vs. no lacquer

52:33 Offerings in his shop
56:46 - Horn differences
58:15 - Selmer Supreme - black limited edition horn
01:03:08 - Sad reality of good shops going out of business
01:05:15 - The difficulty of looking for repair people

Explore more about Paul Maslin and PM Woodwind Repair; their background and socials, all in one place ➡️ https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-how-pm-woodwinds-creates-a-saxophone-community-ep-255

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