Many of us are hard pressed to throw away our damaged and unplayable instruments. So what to do with say a sax that you spent so much time learning to voice correctly and play with some level of skill? Some of us recycle these instruments into a lamp. My wife created this soprano sax lamp from an instrument that got destroyed in a theater pit band.
As my friend Terry sez:
“Here in America at least, the Home Depot and other such places sell a threaded hollow rod that can be used to assemble lamps made of a series of objects. Usually used for hollow vases and the like, it can also be used for stringing together clarinet joints together with a base to make a lamp.
You cut the rod to length, allowing enough for the protrusion at the top end (for the socket) and for the protrusion at the bottom (through the base and into (but not through) the recess drill for the nut and cord clearance). Then, you run a nut onto the top end with a washer big enough to bear either on the top of the barrel, or sized so as to fit into the socket at the top. Then, you pass the other end of the rod down through the clarinet, through the base, and then put another washer and nut on the bottom and make it all up tight.
You then drop a piece of string through the rod, pull the lamp cord through, wire it up and there you go. A lamp harp mount can also be threaded onto the rod, just below the socket.”
The only time it hurts to do this, in my opinion, is when you take a classic vintage instrument such as a Selmer Mark VI that could be repaired, and ruin it by making it into a lamp. Yes, I’ve seen more than a few of these mentioned in the saxophone forums. Usually the report of such instruments is accompanied with much gnashing of teeth.
Using a lamp making kit makes the electrical bits safer and easy to do. No electrician should be needed if you follow the directions careful and don’t work on it with the power cord plugged into the wall. No, really… ;O)
The Bis Key Chronicles 
I have an inquiry. This looks like something you did for yourself, would you buy work like this, or do you know anyone who would. I work for a company that make stuff like this for sale. Could you check out the web site and tell me what you think. built2rock.com, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks!
I wouldn’t pay for something I can do for myself. I suspect my friends are in the same boat. But that is just my guess. Thank you for commenting.
Hi I bought an almost smashed to bits antique violin today (i plan to use some wood glue to make it sturdy), it only cost 20$ and doesn’t appear to be an instrument of any quality. How would you suggest threading the rod, either through the interior of the violin or down the back? Just looking for ideas on how to proceed. Thank you!
Well, I can see making either work, especially if you want it to be more Steampunk than musical. But I would prefer to go through the instrument. Fun stuff eh?