Tech/maintenance Abalone key pearls

[Dr G]

Regarding the tacky feeling of the plastic pearls, could they still have some mold release from manufacturing on them, and a good cleaning would remove this tackiness?

Since seems you already removed them, now a mute point.

Seems any other authentic choice would actually be an upgrade and if it improves your playing comfort then goal is met.

Just a few thoughts.

What’s “authentic” in this context other than nacre?

 

[Tonehole]

DesertRoads Did you buy coloured or plain? Please post a picture once done.​

I plan to visit a local fellow I am friends with that builds / makes custom trumpets. He does custom horn pearls I will ask him if he will do touches and risers for me. He likely will have recommendations.

FINISHED BUTTON GALLERY | Divitt Trumpets

www.divitt-trumpets.com

The SAT set of horns I want to do have black pads.
My Series III tenor has worn pearls as well.
I may try wood touches on my YSS475.

 

[lydian]

DesertRoads Did you buy coloured or plain? Please post a picture once done.​

I plan to visit a local fellow I am friends with that builds / makes custom trumpets. He does custom horn pearls I will ask him if he will do touches and risers for me. He likely will have recommendations.

FINISHED BUTTON GALLERY | Divitt Trumpets

www.divitt-trumpets.com

The SAT set of horns I want to do have black pads.
My Series III tenor has worn pearls as well.
I may try wood touches on my YSS475.

Something to be aware of when getting a trumpet maker to do this, trumpet pearls are usually flat, not concave like sax, as you can see from his website. He'll have to buy a set made for sax or carve out every single pearl, which seems very labor intensive to me. There are also multiple sizes to deal with. Why not just get a good set of sax pearls and be done with it?

Also seems like a princess and the pea situation with you guys. I've played saxes with plastic, MOP, bare brass or, on clarinet, no touches at all and never given any of them a second thought. I have more important things to be concerned about.

 

[ghostler]

I've played saxes with plastic, MOP, bare brass or, on clarinet, no touches at all and never given any of them a second thought. I have more important things to be concerned about.

I am like you. However @DesertRoads has a unique body chemistry issue affecting feel with a particular plastic.

We all are different. One just needs to find what suits them. I didn't even know that anodized aluminium pearls were available.

The comment about concaveness is correct. I bought a universal set of plastic pearls to fit keys on saxes missing. This set has a bit more concaveness than the originals on my Jupiter Vito tenor. However it still feels OK.

So, I found this thread educational on available pearls of different materials.

 

[DesertRoads]

Something to be aware of when getting a trumpet maker to do this, trumpet pearls are usually flat, not concave like sax, as you can see from his website. He'll have to buy a set made for sax or carve out every single pearl, which seems very labor intensive to me. There are also multiple sizes to deal with. Why not just get a good set of sax pearls and be done with it?

Also seems like a princess and the pea situation with you guys. I've played saxes with plastic, MOP, bare brass or, on clarinet, no touches at all and never given any of them a second thought. I have more important things to be concerned about.

Obviously this post isn't for you since for you "have more important things to be concerned about". This is for me and wanting constructive input. Since you don't have any, you don't need to trouble yourself with this conversation.

 

[Tonehole]

More ego /aesthetics than anything on the YYS475, I think wood will look more refined and even add value to the horn. I got the horn at a great price from a hobbyist who was cleaning gear. The price is negligible for the upgrade and the plastic does look cheap to my eyes and does not have the feel of real peals.

The SAT set of horns I want to upgrade are matching Black Ruby Cannonballs I recently bought at a distress sale price from the original buyer. Hard times hard choices.
I tried to fight the urge as it was a want more than a need but I had money in the bank from recent sales of horns. So I saw it as an investment opportunity. 😉

I recently unloaded a Cannonball tenor as I did not like the feel of the stone touches and large stone risers but I enjoyed the way it played. I considered changing the touches but sold it for a substantial profit instead.

The horns have a visual impact on stage. Been hunting for a set for a few years now.

282K views · 10K reactions | The Black Ruby is back! | Cannonball Musical Instruments

The Black Ruby is back!

www.facebook.com

Some of us are more sensitive or aware of different things when playing an instrument. Plus we place value on different things or have more resources.

Very content with the touches on my SAT Artist Jupiter’s but I do have copper JB WELD risers on the tenor same with my SERIES III.

 

[Tonehole]

Something to be aware of when getting a trumpet maker to do this, trumpet pearls are usually flat, not concave like sax, as you can see from his website. He'll have to buy a set made for sax or carve out every single pearl, which seems very labor intensive to me. There are also multiple sizes to deal with. Why not just get a good set of sax pearls and be done with it?

This fellow makes custom trumpets from flat brass stock, worked at L&M in the repair shop for years before he started out on his own. I know he can handle the job it is more if he will undertake it.🤔

 

[Dr G]

Obviously this post isn't for you since for you "have more important things to be concerned about". This is for me and wanting constructive input. Since you don't have any, you don't need to trouble yourself with this conversation.

That was rude. Lydian did share useful content regarding contours typically being different between saxophones and trumpet touches. It’s a public forum - don’t take things personally and don’t make them personal.

I think metal touches are a huge mistake and one of the uglier things that’s ever happened to a horn, but I’ll defend your right to buy ‘em. I honestly hope you’ll find a horn you love to play.

 

[Tonehole]

Dr G what would you think of brass or copper touches? I have been pondering the possibility.
My Series III was stripped to bare brass when it was overhauled by Barnard a few years ago. The thumb rest and hook are gold plated. The Copper JB Weld risers look very good better than black Sugru or JB to my taste.

I would even have the rollers done in the same.
I think copper would stink up my finger tips though. Would brass stand up or erode over time?

As an aside your PM is blocked or full.
Cheers

Upon pondering I don't think brass will last for me, I have worn the silver off clarinet keys and had pitting on the bare brass. The same happened to the brass cups on my SB alto as I wore the pearls down.

 

[PigSquealer]

Something to be aware of when getting a trumpet maker to do this, trumpet pearls are usually flat, not concave like sax, as you can see from his website. He'll have to buy a set made for sax or carve out every single pearl, which seems very labor intensive to me. There are also multiple sizes to deal with.

I’ve seen concave, convex and flat on saxes. I’d say 99% OE installed.
Ewan Divitt has an impressive line of products with endless options for shape and colors. All custom made to order.
Normal daily service offering.

FINGER BUTTONS | Divitt Trumpets

www.divitt-trumpets.com

Material options.

https://www.divitt-trumpets.com/inlay-material-options

Why not just get a good set of sax pearls and be done with it?

Why do people buy a brand new car and change the wheels ?

 

[PigSquealer]

I just purchased the Music Medic stainless steel key pearls. So I will give them a whirl and let you all know my findings.

What face shapes ? The angled ones are interesting. I hadn’t noticed those before.

 

[LostCircuits]

I've used those "abalone" pearls on a number of instruments and, yes, they may not be the greatest but I never had an issue with sticky surfaces. I had to grind some of them to the correct size on the Borgani soprano but they were a definite step up from the original plastic beads, most of which were too small and mounted at random degrees of eccentricity.

 

[Tonehole]

😎 Point well taken Squealer on the wheels but I have done that as well. Bought a used vehicle with battered steel wheels and upgraded to a set of larger custom mags with superior tires to what even OE offered. Big plus it is cheaper!

Same reason I just bought funky black ruby coloured saxophones. They standout to the audience and sets me apart from the crowd of other performers as an entertainer not just a player. Part of my stage image / persona.

Touches are more a personal thing, I feel the difference not just in the texture of the surface but the size and position. I found the idea of them sculpted to the perfect angle and size intriguing. But they are also something other players notice and make the instrument personal to you. Maybe a bit of a fetish thing! 😎

Similar to ligature obsession I guess some don't care others do. I have played using a zip tie in a pinch but prefer my ligs of choice. Like the way certain ligs adjust, hold the reed and look. Some and I am one believe they make a difference in sound. Maybe just OCD as I use different lig style and model on each instrument or mouthpiece! Go figure.

I did not realise Median made metal touches in different counters until I checked due to input on this thread.
Why diverse input is so important on these threads.

 

[LostCircuits]

😎 Point well taken Squealer on the wheels but I have done that as well. Bought a used vehicle with battered steel wheels and upgraded to a set of larger custom mags with superior tires to what even OE offered. Big plus it is cheaper!

Same reason I just bought funky black ruby coloured saxophones. They standout to the audience and sets me apart from the crowd of other performers as an entertainer not just a player. Part of my stage image / persona.

Touches are more a personal thing, I feel the difference not just in the texture of the surface but the size and position. I found the idea of them sculpted to the perfect angle and size intriguing. But they are also something other players notice and make the instrument personal to you. Maybe a bit of a fetish thing! 😎

Similar to ligature obsession I guess some don't care others do. I have played using a zip tie in a pinch but prefer my ligs of choice. Like the way certain ligs adjust, hold the reed and look. Some and I am one believe they make a difference in sound. Maybe just OCD as I use different lig style and model on each instrument or mouthpiece! Go figure.

I did not realise Median made metal touches in different counters until I checked due to input on this thread.
Why diverse input is so important on these threads.

I totally hear you, same with my "custom Buescher 156". It is not flashy, if anything it would be steam punk but it's a magnet. Or maybe an antimagnet?

 

[DesertRoads]

That was rude. Lydian did share useful content regarding contours typically being different between saxophones and trumpet touches. It’s a public forum - don’t take things personally and don’t make them personal.

I think metal touches are a huge mistake and one of the uglier things that’s ever happened to a horn, but I’ll defend your right to buy ‘em. I honestly hope you’ll find a horn you love to play.

My comment to his rude comment was rude. Fine. Seems like I get ridiculed for my choices from you no matter where I post. I get it, you’re a materials guy and you know best. I’ll stop my participation in these forums.

 

[PigSquealer]

I would even have the rollers done in the same.

There’s acrylic rod stock available in a zillion different colors.

I think copper would stink up my finger tips though. Would brass stand up or erode over time?
Upon pondering I don't think brass will last for me, I have worn the silver off clarinet keys and had pitting on the bare brass. The same happened to the brass cups on my SB alto as I wore the pearls down.

As a very active pro player you would probably do well with stainless or man made material. You’ve noted the CB stones were unfavorable. Dunno how wood would last you.

 

[PigSquealer]

I don't drink soda, or alcohol. I only drink water. Zero artificial added sugars in my diet.

Try a different taco truck 🤣.

 

[lig]

I’ve seen concave, convex and flat on saxes. I’d say 99% OE installed.
Ewan Divitt has an impressive line of products with endless options for shape and colors. All custom made to order.
Normal daily service offering.

FINGER BUTTONS | Divitt Trumpets

www.divitt-trumpets.com

Material options.

https://www.divitt-trumpets.com/inlay-material-options

Why do people buy a brand new car and change the wheels ?

For more contact area and faster lap times and scaring your passengers, naturally 😀

On topic - not a fan of the hugely concave Keilwerth black pearl key touches. Do not like.

They look nice but that's where it ends for me.

I wonder if you could order pearls from Yamaha - maybe the Custom or purple label 62 pearls? I've ordered silver plated screws for the keyguards directly from Yamaha in the past.

 

[PigSquealer]

I wonder if you could order pearls from Yamaha - maybe the Custom or purple label 62 pearls? I've ordered silver plated screws for the keyguards directly from Yamaha in the past.

Good question ! I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t offer the parts and with options.

On topic - not a fan of the hugely concave Keilwerth black pearl key touches. Do not like.

I don’t care for concave touches at all.

Looking ahead.
New for 2064. The A.J.S. 200 year anniversary model. Features programmable Nanotechnology touches. Any shape programmable on the fly. Traction control available for an additional fee.

 

[lydian]

My comment to his rude comment was rude. Fine. Seems like I get ridiculed for my choices from you no matter where I post. I get it, you’re a materials guy and you know best. I’ll stop my participation in these forums.

I'm way too blunt sometimes online. So please accept my apologies.