Imagine being able to change the core of your saxophones sound on a whim - without an overhaul every time you want to make a change. Magnetones opens new versatility in the area of saxophone tone control.

Magnetones also gives you the freedom to hear it for yourself. So far, players have been relying on other players, techs, and manufacturers to recommend resonators for them - but not everyone has the same tone concept. During an overhaul you only get one shot at your choice, and anything experimental feels like a risk, but for all the fine details we explore in necks, mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures, and more - maybe it's time we take a real shot at refining the bore of our instrument and really see what resonators do?

Now within four minutes you can completely change your setup -

  • Size: Standard, oversized, undersized
  • Material: plastic, metal
  • Shape: Domed, Flat, Seamless, Riveted, Noyek/Maestro
  • Plating: None, copper, silver, gold
  • Custom: 3D printed resos, non-traditional shapes, resonators for "prepared saxophone" contemporary compositions
  • All: And any combination of the above

Besides just experimenting with your sound, you can cater your setup to the gig the way you do with a mouthpiece and neck. eg. Standard plastic for your legit setup, oversized metal resos for pop/jazz, and even prepared resonators for contemporary players.

And besides all of this great stuff - all of these resonators are reusable! Trade with a friend and try their resonator setup to see if they are onto something that will work for you.

Sound Demo (headphones recommended)

Magnetones Assistant

Answer a couple of questions about what you want and we'll bundle the appropriate items for you.

Magnetones Assistant

For Techs

This is for the individual components a repair shop will need for purchasing and installation. You can also use the Magnetones Assistant to automatically bundle what you need.

Shop Tech Supplies

FAQ - For Technicians

Do I need to buy special pads, resonators, or tools?

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.

Does dent removal of any kind interfere with the Magnetones?

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

Do magnets lose their effectiveness?

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.

How will this interact with my Magnetic Dent Removal System?

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

FAQ - For Musicians

Will these buzz or make noise?

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.

How much weight do the magnets add?

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

Are they airtight?

Yes, I will post some videos of my tests proving air and water tightness.

How do magnets connect to brass?

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.