Disclaimer: this pertains to work done a year ago, but I haven't gotten around to writing about my…read moreexperience until now.
As a professional saxophonist relying heavily on my Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone for regular performances, I sought out Steve Deutsch for a major overhaul, not merely in hopes of enhancing playability, but as essential maintenance for my instrument. Unfortunately, my experience with him proved to be deeply unsatisfactory, prompting me to share my ordeal.
Despite investing $1500 into the overhaul (which is certainly not on the cheap end of the spectrum for this kind of work), the quality of Steve's workmanship left much to be desired. Following the service, my Selmer Mark VI exhibited numerous issues, including improperly seated keys, carelessly aligned pads, and immediate leaks. Particularly distressing was the shockingly poor quality of the supposedly new pads, which bore an uncanny resemblance to those over a decade old on my tenor saxophone.
Compounding my disappointment was Steve's lack of professionalism. Despite assuring me of a four-week turnaround time, which is far more than most repair people ever take to do an overhaul (I explained that I would be out of the country but had a recording session two days after my return), he nearly failed to meet this deadline, texting me that it wouldn't be finished when promised while I was in Singapore only a few days before I was schedule to pick it up, citing personal issues. While I empathize with his circumstances, the subsequent lack of communication and rushed completion of the job were deeply disheartening, and I insisted it needed to be done or I would pay him for his incomplete work and take it elsewhere to finish it. Additionally, his admonishment and downright scolding of me, as if I were a child, about the condition of my instrument was extremely off-putting.
Unlike most repair people with whom I've worked in the Bay Area, NYC, and across the country, Steve doesn't offer any warranty or guarantee on his work. Typically, after an overhaul, a repair person will encourage their customer to come back for some adjustments if need, and in an industry where reputable repair persons typically stand behind their craftsmanship, Steve's failure to provide such assurances was glaring. It's a moot point, anyway, because I would never let him touch my instrument again.
In conclusion, my experience with Steve Deutsch left me with a compromised instrument and a profound sense of dissatisfaction. Given the crucial nature of regular maintenance for professional musicians, I caution my fellow performers against entrusting their instruments to Steve's care.
