Magnetones FAQ | Installing and Choosing Parts

FAQ for Musicians

No.

Care has been taken to preserve an air-gap between the magnets once installed. This serves two functions - no buzz, and a tight connection against the pad.

A pair of magnets weighs between 1 and 1.7 grams per key. Around 40 grams across an overhaul.

Yes.

They don't. Brass is not magnetic, but this system uses two magnets that attract to each other. One magnet permanently mounts to the back of the saxophone pad, and the other mounts to the resonator itself.

Use the Resonator Size Wizard — enter your tone hole diameters and it gives you sizes and quantities for a full set.

FAQ for Technicians

No!

There is only one tool that is recommended (MusicMedic's Buescher hole punch system), but it can be done with standard punches if you have a good technique for centering the punch on your pad. I do have a couple of tools that might make working with these more convenient, but they are not required for this. Resonators will be available in a pre-magnetized format for your convenience, but I also make the magnetic rings available for purchase so you do not need yet another style of resonator in stock if you would rather do the installation on your own.

When the Magnetones are installed, dent tools also cannot overpower the magnetic attraction between the resonator and backing magnet.

There are two conditions where the magnets lose power:

the first is that the strength naturally degrades over time, but this occurs at a rate of around 1% loss of strength every ten years.
the second is when it is exposed to high heat. The magnetic backing which will see the most heat during pad seating is a high-temperature magnet meant to resist this heat. The heat required to damage the magnet would be around lacquer-burning temperatures. So the Magnetones will be safe in standard repadding conditions.

There are no issues when the MDRS is brought near an installed set of Magnetones. Despite it's size, the MDRS does not get close enough to these magnets to disturb their attraction to each other

Magnetones resonators use small, high-strength magnets as a functional, swappable part of the tone-shaping system. Handle them like any small strong-magnet hardware component:

WARNING: SWALLOWING HAZARD. This product contains small, powerful magnets. If a magnet is swallowed or inhaled, seek immediate medical attention right away, even if there are no symptoms. Not a toy. Keep away from children. Intended for use by musicians age 14 and up.