Developed a problem with my alto

[sax_starved]

I have a Trevor James Revolution II Horn, which I have owned since September. Recently I have found that I cannot hit low B, which was previously no problem. Initially I put it down to a new mouthpiece/reed/ligature set up but even reverting back to the old rig I can get nothing but horrible squeaks from it. I've checked it over but can see nothing that is obviously wrong, although I am no expert.
I know that one answer is to take it back to the shop and get it checked over, which would be a pain (TomMapfumo is sending me a couple of reeds to try in the meantime) but I was wondering if there is anything else that I could check before doing this.

Lloyd

 

[griff136]

Lloyd

is it just on low B or does it affect low C# and low Bb?

 

[sax_starved]

Griff,

It's all three. I hadn't checked before but you are right. I can get them on my tenor, so (hopefully) it's not me.

Lloyd

 

[Pete Thomas]

In that case the answer is quite straightforward. My prediction is that any minute now, Griff will come on line and tell you which screw to adjust and all will be well.

 

[TomMapfumo]

I'd blame it on the boogie! 😛

C'mon Griff, where are you when somebody needs you?

 

[griff136]

It sounds to me like your G# pad is opening

the G# on most post war saxes and all modern saxes is articulated which in lay mans terms means that if you press any of the left hand pinky table the G # opens.

to stop it from opening when playing F# or below you need to adjust the little screw above the F# pad.

if you look at the F key (right finger 1) there is a pad inbetween it and the G# key cup. This is infact the F# keycup and pad.

Now, attached to this key cup is an arm with 2 screws on it

one which screws a piece of cork/rubber down onto the bis key arm and the other onto the G#

First check there is cork/felt/rubber on the base of this screw.

tighten the screw until it just stops the G# from opening too tight and your F# pad will not close fully

that should do the trick.

regards

griff

 

[sax_starved]

griff136 wrote:
It sounds to me like your G# pad is opening

the G# on most post war saxes and all modern saxes is articulated which in lay mans terms means that if you press any of the left hand pinky table the G # opens.

to stop it from opening when playing F# or below you need to adjust the little screw above the F# pad.

if you look at the F key (right finger 1) there is a pad inbetween it and the G# key cup. This is infact the F# keycup and pad.

Now, attached to this key cup is an arm with 2 screws on it

one which screws a piece of cork/rubber down onto the bis key arm and the other onto the G#

First check there is cork/felt/rubber on the base of this screw.

tighten the screw until it just stops the G# from opening too tight and your F# pad will not close fully

that should do the trick.

regards

griff

Griff, I am looking at the arm with the two screws on. The bottom screw has a plastic insert that touches the bis key arm but the top screw has nothing. Should this screw have a plastic insert also? Otherwise I can see no function for it.

Am I right in thinking that the G# pad is the 3rd pad up from the F key?

Lloyd

 

[sax_starved]

Found the little beauty!

Sitting in the bottom of my case, a little plastic orange lug, which I have replaced and then adjusted the screws until I get the best sound.

Griff et al, thank you for your help.

Lloyd

 

[Pete Thomas]

Sax Starved wrote:
Am I right in thinking that the G# pad is the 3rd pad up from the F key?

The F finger touch will close the key it is attached to plus the key above (the F#). The one above that is a key which is normally closed, but is opened by the G# pinky.

That is is the key which must be adjusted. There should be a screw which comes down onto the key.

What happens is this key is also opened by the low C#, B and Bb so you can use those as an alternative G# if all the Right hand keys are not pressed down. However if the RH keys are pressed down, that little arm with adjusting screw is supposed to close it. The screw must be adjusted so the key just closes, screw it too far and it will upset the keys lower down on the RH stack, especially the F.

Try playing an F, then finger G#, if that key connected to G# lifts even slightly, then screw the adjuster a teeny bit until it doesn't lift.

 

[griff136]

Lloyd

yes that screw should have a little plastic insert.

unscrew the screw completely and you can glue something into it

perhaps a piece of cork, rubber, or a cocktail stick if you have to

what I would do is swap the repaired one with the screw that operates the bis key arm

 

[sax_starved]

Griff,

Thanks for this. We must have been posting at the same time because I have found the missing insert. See two posts above.
Sax now plays nicely.

Lloyd