Lees Sax Worx

SAVIORS.
I walked in with a busted horn. My 6 year old son had put marbles down the bell. Lee himself took the instrument, worked his magic, and within minutes the horn was as good as new. He dropped whatever he was working on and helped me right away. Wouldn’t even accept payment after I offered.
These guys deserve your business.

Having been a client of Lee for about 35 or so years and bringing my alto and tenors in for periodic service, I knew things would be «right «when I brought my trusty 1963 Mark VI tenor for a complete overhaul. I am amazed how this horn sounds now. Maybe better than new ?
Maybe it’s in part to the Noyak resonators I had Lee install. The horn plays perfectly from top to bottom. It has new life…
Will return in about 3 months to have things checked over again and any tweaks will be done at this time. I am really blown away at the result of this service.
This is the only stop in the bay area for awesome woodwind repair. Lee and Don are the complete experts, knowledgeable and friendly. Service is completed when requested.

Lee is the best. He keeps my Mark VI and Yamaha Bari in tip top shape and he has a good selection of accessories in the store. It truly shows that he is a master craftsman at understanding exactly what the horn needs. It is always such a pleasure to play my horns, when Lee had his hands on them.

After a year of playing, our beginner 10yr old son decided to stick with playing alto sax in the school band, so instead of renting-​to-​own a mediocre student sax, we started to look for a decent used one to own.
Our friend who is an avid sax player directed us to Lee’s SaxWorx. They had many used horns, in various price ranges. But after hearing our story over the phone and e-​mail, they recommended a vintage sax (of a name we’ve never heard of before) that was tad higher than our price range but would give us a solid horn that our son will probably not grow out of and keep for a very long time. (I guess one would call it a professional-​capable instrument grade)
So we decided to go with their recommendation and stretched our budget a bit and buy it. When we went to their store for the transaction (and trial play to make sure our son likes it), we realized he had many other vintage horns on display that were double, triple, quadruple price of ours, and also several that were priced less than half. So it was a good feeling that they didn’t push the extremes, but recommended what they thought would be a good horn for our kid given his interest and aptitude. Our son played a few notes and he was all grin. «This is much easier to play than the one I have now!» he said. He just didn’t want to let it go. As for me, the tone was significantly better than the rental. It looked old, but in great shape. Our friend saxophonist also came with us to try it out and gave it a stamp of approval. It was also nice how the two techs working on the other horns while selling us one, kept giving very encouraging remarks to our son. It was clear both of the guys loves saxes and loves to share their knowledge to a beginner.
Since we would have to return everything that came with the rental, we also had to purchase all the basics for sax ownership. They didn’t push everything, but the basics, explaining exactly what each is for, and «if you want to you can buy this too, but it’s not necessary» walk-​throughs of all the accessories. Also helped us choose the right neck strap for my son trying several types and adjusting it. (I don’t play saxes, so I am totally clueless on these things).
All this time, one guy was looking over the rental we brought (which had some major issues. another reason why we were returning and not finish the rent-​to-​own contract) and corrected few things. free of charge. And they knew it was a rental he was tuning… but the sense I got was they just couldn’t bear to see such a poor-​condition horn in use and just had to do something with it. That’s a true craftsman. Love it.
So now our son has a very nice sax he loves to play, and sounds great. As it turned out, the vintage horn we’ve never heard of is quite well known in European horn communities, just not in the US, with a great reputation! Price may have been tad high, but the horn is in great shape, plays well, and best of all, keeps our son happily playing. Everybody (we have many sax players as friends) who saw and played it were impressed. great buy indeed.
We’ll be bringing it back for tune-​up soon.

Another great experience from Lee and his crew. Needed a minor adjustment on my bari. Lee put his fork down, picked up a screwdriver and his light, and five minutes later I was back in business!

Lee and Don and (I’m sorry I don’t remember your name) are a few great, honest guys doing awesome repairs on any sax and clarinet. If you’re in need of a repair in the Bay Area go here!
I just had my pro Cannonball Raven Alto Sax and Yamaha Custom Clarinet worked on by Don. He was very professional, straight forward, accurate and fast with his work. I like to know a few easy tricks for my and my student’s horns during lessons if needed; Don politely showed me a few things about springs while he extracted a rather stubborn broken spring out of one of my posts.
He worked quick and did an excellent job finding and fixing a few adjustments I desperately needed but didn’t want to bother him with on the fly. I am very impressed and pleased with his work on my sax! And he turned my old clarinet into a completely different horn in less than a week. It works even better today Don!
Yes, their work may take a little time, as they seem to have many horns in their queue each day. And yes, this is probably not your cheapest option for repairs but it is most certainly the best in the city and at least on the peninsula. You get what you pay for, truly. As a professional player and teacher, I would not go to or recommend anywhere else!

Lee’s Sax Workx does great work right away. If I need repairs again for a sax or clarinet, I’ll come back here.
I left a saxophone there before work and retrieved it at the end of the same day. They replaced a cork and a few pads, and the final product looked and played great. I got the impression that they really knew what they were doing.

Talking to Lee and the guys in this shop made me feel like I was on an episode of car talk. Except that it was sax talk.
I hadn’t had my S80 alto serviced in over a decade, right after I finished a degree from a conservatory, and it was time: pads had begun to stick, keys had started to clack. I started to question some of the tunings my last repairman had done (or was it me?), and there were almost certainly leaks going on. So, based on the reviews from a few very satisfied Unilocalers, I decided to give Lee a call, and he had me bring in the horn. I came in and fell in love with the shop: horns and gear everywhere, and three guys working away on saxophones. They didn’t have private parking, but they had something almost as good: a pile of quarters in a box to use to feed the meters outside. Lee recommended that to get the horn back into professional shape, he take off the keys and put it back together, replacing pads as necessary. I asked how much that would cost, and recalled that the last time I’d had work like this done it cost about $ 100. In Wisconsin. In 1999. I figured it would cost about double that due to inflation, and double again due to everything labor-​intensive being twice the price in SF as in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, I was right. I approved a repair estimate with enough purchasing power to buy a knockoff Chinese-​built saxophone.
Lee estimated it would take about a week for the horn to be ready, and suggested I come back with some time to spare before the shop closed. That way I could play the horn and have him adjust anything that wasn’t just right.
A week later I came in, and I was a little shy about playing. I was a semi professional player fifteen years ago, but I hadn’t played in front of another saxophonist since. I don’t know if I actually played well, but all of the guys stopped what they were doing and looked at me. «That’s about as well as a horn can be played,» Lee said. Or at least that’s how I want to remember the story. Lee turned on a tuner for me to help me check the tuning. Playing a saxophone in tune is notoriously difficult, but it was easier given some of the adjustments Lee had made, namely to the throws on the low C and Eb keys. After I played a few more notes, I asked what he thought of using alternate fingerings to get the last few cents of tuning in line. I somehow had developed the idea that it was «cheating» to use fingerings instead of the larynx or embouchure to affect tuning. Lee just laughed and said «that’s what the saxophone is!» as if no one had ever uttered such a purist idea in his shop. «The saxophone is such a dog,» I replied. I was in a shop of men who’d dedicated their professional lives to this thing. They all laughed.
On the way out it occurred to me that I was in the company of sax gear heads and I should pick their brains on the latest and greatest products. I asked about reeds. I noted a few brands they liked; Lee said that the «Jazz vs classical» division of reeds from Rico and Vandoren was «just marketing.» It inspired me to order a bunch online. «Well are these new lines of reeds actually any good?» I asked. Lee replied with the obvious wisdom that only reed players can understand: «You’re gonna find out!»

These instrument and music loving guys are honest, reliable experts at fixing instruments. I’ve been taking instruments to them for years with great results. I’m sure there are other solid professionals in San Francisco, but I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else with a saxophone or clarinet.

Lee and his compadres provide unparalleled service.
Lee has worked his magic on two of my saxes and gotten them in better playing condition than I’ve ever had them in. This includes a previously unplayable c-​melody sax that I inherited from my grandfather that is now a true joy to play.
He provides a quality of old-​style
service and craftsmanship that is a true wonder. He can sometimes be backed up given how busy he is, but he has always had my sax ready exactly when he said he would.
Not only do they provide great repair services, but his shop a go-​to resource for reeds and all manner of sax accessories and advice.
I consider myself damn lucky to have such a great sax resource so close by.

Firstly, let me say you’re spending a small fortune to get professional horns repaired by Lee. Every time I have a budget in my head (from other sax techs), his price is a lot higher.
That said, he’s an amazing tech, probably one of the best around in the whole US. What’s more, he’s very kind, honest, and doesn’t try to get money out of you, or insist on repairing things that don’t need repairs. One horn I told him I just wanted to do maintenance work (another well-​known tech insisted it needed an overhaul), and he gave me a range of prices and options without hard-​selling anything.
Part of the high cost is his attention to detail and meticulousness. Sure another tech can do a good or great overhaul, but Lee spends a lot of time making it’s perfect.
Also, his student horn rates are lower I hear, and he’s not the type to be pretentious about only dealing with high-​end horns.

For my money Lee Kramka is the best saxophone technician in California. I had been living in Los Angeles when I first heard of Lee. Two of the most reknowned techs in LA had worked on my tenor, and I was very impressed with the quality of workmanship which was impeccable. When I was preparing to move back to the Bay Area, I asked my fellow pro saxophonists who I should take my horns to. They all gave me the same answer.
Lee rebuilt my tenor in 2004 and my alto in 2007. We have also done some neck work, replacing pearls and basic maintainence from time to time. Lee is wonderful to work with. Not only does he have the meticulousness of any true artisan, but he is simply a great guy. We tell jokes and stories in the shop, he lets me watch him work and is more than happy to answer all of my questions (which are many). He always strives to achieve what I want from the horn, however I trust Lee so much that my input is usually not important. He is a master of working on Selmer saxophones, perhaps the best in the business. The key heights and spring tensions on my horns are flawless. His pads are durable and resilient.
Make no mistake, Lee’s services come at a price. I think any serious professional would consider his price to be more than worth it. In Lee’s hands, I know my saxophones will perform to their ultimate potential, and I will feel great about the person I’m working with. I couldn’t ask for more.
Lee Kramka is the pre-​eminent saxophone technician in California.

I recently dropped off my Selmer 121XXX Mark VI Tenor for an overhaul.
Lee is very detailed and will take as much info and direction as you have to offer. I emailed him asking what his availability was for an overhaul (no hurry) and he told me «I have an opening». I jumped on it and he estimated 1 – 2 weeks for the job so I wasted no time in getting him the horn.
I just thought I would mention this because it has been written that he gets very busy. Maybe I just got lucky.
As has also been written, he talked me out of repairing a YAS52 that I brought in which I really appreciate. He will be setting up my new 82Z when I get it.
I will update this review when I get the horn back.

Lee is a real pro. I’m sure Don is as well but I only dealt with Lee. Long story short, he adjusted the keys to fit my hands better. He noticed that the C key was too stiff, something I had kinda noticed but attributed it to an artifact of switching to a new sax (Yanagisawa 992). Now it’s perfect. No excuses, lol

My daughter started clarinet lessons at school. We got her a cheap one online, new. Within a few months, the cork on one of the pcs had to be replaced. A friend recommended this place to take it in for a fix.
I walked in with clarinet in hand late Friday afternoon, not really sure what to expect. Don took out the clarinet and examined it and realized not only was the cork needing much repair, but that parts had become bent and wasn’t functioning at all. Don called me on Monday to pick up. A total of $ 75 in repair work and one cork replacement. I asked Don on the phone if I was to bring my daughter in, could he show her the proper way to assemble.
When we got in, he took his time explaining and showing her the right way to put it together. He told her exactly how to hold each part during the assembly to prevent damage. Then he asked her to try. We realized one — her teacher was putting together her clarinet and jamming it together which probably caused the parts to bend, he was putting way too much cork grease, thus all the damage was not done by my daughter. During the whole time, my daughter said that’s not how my teacher does it.
I love the customer service and the fact they really do care about the instruments. He asked her to give it a try after the assembly and they both confirmed it was back in prefect working order.
Talk about excellent customer service and quality of work.

There are 5 sax techs in the Bay Area, Lee Kramka being the only one who is actually in SF (I am leaving out more general woodwind and brass techs, because IMHO sax is a specialty).
If Lee has a great rep, it is deserved for the quality of work which he does, most of the time. I have heard the odd story of substandard repair, but… given that he stands behind everything he does, I am sure these are very infrequent occurrences which he would correct if notified of it. For a lot of the big-​name pro players who come into town, Lee is the go-​to guy. He is the most experienced tech in the Bay Area… he’s been doing it the longest.
He, and his assistant Don, are also just real nice guys. Lee is always willing to take the time to explain things as well as explain your repair options. This is useful because a number of techs will basically just give a flat-​out (high) quote and then not be willing consider the alternative (i.e. cheaper — albeit less complete) options available. When asked, Lee will do this (when not prompted, he usually will not offer such).
So…good, knowledgeable folks who do good work. Those are the pluses.
The minuses would be: very expensive… and usually they have a lotta backlog so aren’t fast most of the time.
$ — yes, Lee’s prices are at the high end of the spectrum for sax techs around here. Comparable work for about 60−70% of Lee’s quotes can be had by driving 20 – 30 minutes out of town. But again, of all the techs in the Bay Area, he is the most reputed/​renowned.
Time — as a result of being renowned, his workshop is usually tres-backlogged…which often results in them not being able to meet the date they initially quote the horn to be ready… not by just a day or two, but sometimes by a week or two. OR, may result in a 3 – 4 week wait on something which can be turned around (again) by a tech outside of the city in a few days to a week. So for a quickly-​needed repair, eh… probably not my first choice.
So, there ya’ have it. I use ‘em. Yes, I’ll keep using ‘em. Yes, I’d recommend ‘em.
But just be prepared to $pend more and wait longer.

I have a great old saxophone, a family heirloom. I moved to San Francisco recently, and needed to get it appraised for insurance purposes. I found Lee’s Sax Worx through Unilocal (thank you very much), and called and made an appointment for the very next day.
I found Lee sitting in his shop with another repairman. The space is a pretty small storefront, with the requisite stacks of cases and cool old instruments in various stages of repair. There’s also a few racks of supplies – reeds, neckstraps, mouthpieces, etc. But mostly, the place is an open workshop.
Lee set to work appraising my horn. He was obviously quite knowledgeable, and gave it a good thorough looking over. Now I thought my horn was playing great, but I asked him to shine a light in it and see if there were any quick adjustments to be done. He ended up bending and reshaping the neck so that it fit perfectly. He then removed the top stack, cleaned the pads and tone holes, and put it all back together, fixing a stuck octave key (amazing I hadn’t noticed), reseating a couple of pads, and eliminating a number of leaks in the process. Meanwhile, we had a great easy conversation about a number of saxophone and nonsaxophone topics. Two hours later, my horn was working great! He charged me $ 50 an hour, which seemed fair to me.
I really appreciate a good repairman that is talented and meticulous. But I also want someone who is available, should I need help to get my horn playing right away in a pinch, and even better, someone who will let me sit and watch him work on my baby. I would trust my horn to Lee again.

well after looking all over town for a saxophone for my son, we stumbled onto lee’s sax worx on taravel street. the place is wonderful. lee is a very knowledgeable, friendly & was willing to take the time to understand what i was shopping for. he even asked me to bring my son in to try out the saxophone before we purchased it as it was a sizable purchase.
well having done my homework before hand & scouring the city looking for certain types of saxophones, i settled on an american made saxophone by selmer for my son which he had in stock. lee check over this saxophone to make sure it was in good order, he included a case, neck strap, mouth piece, reeds & all the necessary things my son needed to get started at no extra cost.
well after playing the saxophone for awhile my son needed a new mouth piece & new reeds per his music instructor, well i took him to lee again & lee helped him out. he let him try several different mouth pieces to see what he liked within the parameters of the music teacher. he does carry the vandoren java reeds, most music shops do not carry these or they offer these only as a special order as they are quite expensive but they were not too expensive here.
well soon after a year of playing the saxophone it needed to be re corked, so i took it back to lee. well lee re corked it for me for 25.00 & he serviced the entire saxophone at no extra cost.
i have always supported my local businesses as much as i could. lee’s is a prime example of how a local business will step up & provide you excellent customer service beyond your local chain & larger independent music store. the service is always friendly & knowledgeable. repair service time is quick & he stands by all his work. lee’s sax worx is my only place i will take my business for all my saxophone needs.