Every clarinetist, saxophonist, and woodwind player in general deals with two common repair issues: screws getting loose, and needle springs moving out of place. While screwdrivers are easy to find, there aren’t many obvious solutions for fixing needle springs on the fly.
The Fix-It Tool is an easy solution to both of those problems, and one of my all-time favorite woodwind gadgets.
How the Fix-It Tool Works
The Fix-It Tool has two sides to it. One side is a small screwdriver that’s perfect for tightening loose screws and making small adjustments on your instrument. The other side is a spring hook, which helps you get to those pesky needle springs that come undone.
Each side has a cover that screws on and off. It also has a string loop so you can attach it to your case or key chain. That said, the loop on mine wore out pretty quickly, and I eventually cut the string off completely.
The Needle Spring Hook
Honestly, the hook is the reason why I love this tool. It’s not revolutionary in any way. But I think a spring hook is an essential tool that every serious woodwind player should have in their case.
And yet… for some reason, they aren’t as accessible or widely known to regular musicians as they are to repair technicians. Which I think is a shame, because it solves a problem that everyone faces at one point or another.
There have been times in the past where a spring hook on my saxophone slips off, and I’d try to reach it with my fingers or use a more blunt object like a pen. Those aren’t necessarily ideal or comfortable to do.
How The Fix-It Tool Saved Me At a Gig
That sounds a bit dramatic. And it is. But I’d say the Fix-It tool certainly made quick work of an issue right before the gig started.
I was warming up on-stage before an orchestra gig, and a spring went loose on my bassoon about 10 minutes before the show started. It was the kind of repair issue that affects several regularly played notes.
Normally it would be very frustrating to fix. Some of those pins are in hard-to-reach spaces. But instead of worrying about it, I simply pulled out the Fix-It tool from my bag and made quick work of it.
Other saxophone friends of mine have experienced similar issues during a show.
Where to Get the Fix-It Tool
You might be able to find this tool in specialty music shops around the country. A couple of online shops also have them, like Flute Center or Music Center LA.
If you’re a clarinetist, it might interest you to know that they come packed with Backun’s clarinet care kits or one of their Signature series mouthpieces. That said, it’s not worth purchasing an entire kit or a mouthpiece just for the Fix-It Tool.
Alternatives to the Fix-It Tool
As much as I like this gadget, it’s not the only thing available. You can find small screwdrivers at any hardware store, and they’ll do the job just fine for most woodwind instruments.
As for needle spring hooks, you can get a decent standalone one from Music Medic. This is a tool most repair shops use.
Boston Sax Shop also has the Voyager Saxophone Multi Tool. It’s got a neat Swiss Army Knife design filled with different-sized screwdrivers, a spring hook, and a reed leveling tool.
