Flappy key

[Linky Lee]

On my soprano the F key with the touch piece is linked to another key cup above it.

This key cup isn't quite sealing as much as it should be doing, and the arm that is attached to it that stops the G# opening doesn't actually therefore work and therefore I can no longer get any notes that use the C# B or Bb table keys because of this.

Everything else on the sax is superb and is set-up perfectly. I've contacted a few repairers but they all want ridiculous amounts for what I believe to be a couple minutes work.

How would I go about doing this myself, I don't know how to adjust the hight relationship between two keys.

I can take photos of the specific area if needed.

Thanks.

 

[griff136]

Linky_Lee wrote:
On my soprano the F key with the touch piece is linked to another key cup above it.

This key cup isn't quite sealing as much as it should be doing, and the arm that is attached to it that stops the G# opening doesn't actually therefore work and therefore I can no longer get any notes that use the C# B or Bb table keys because of this.

Everything else on the sax is superb and is set-up perfectly. I've contacted a few repairers but they all want ridiculous amounts for what I believe to be a couple minutes work.

How would I go about doing this myself, I don't know how to adjust the hight relationship between two keys.

I can take photos of the specific area if needed.

Thanks.

Hi lee,

yes some pictures would help.

how much is too much?

if it is the key i think youre explaining (front/aux F) then any work done to that key area would probably involve removing the top stack. Most repairers would not just carry out the work you wanted and nothing else i.e. sort that one key out ,but would want to ensure that the top stack was correctly regulated. Work on sops is generally more expensive than other saxes anyway.

having said all that if its just a case of attaching a piece of cork then you would be looking at around 10 -15 quid but obviously withour seing what work is required its very hard to make a judgement.

 

[Linky Lee]

I made a video, which should show it working and not working. You can see that the key above the F key doesn't hold the key above itself down when operated by the F key. If you however push this key down instead of the F key then the mechanism works as it should, though you would need an extra finger to play the sax properly.

http://www.youtube.com/v/0_Ra9AevLbY

 

[griff136]

Hi lee

the link didnt work 🙁 maybe i need some software or something?

 

[Linky Lee]

Oh.. at a guess you may need shockwave but I'll try and get a way around that.

This is a link to the actual page, before it was a cut down version that only showed the player, hopefully this will work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Ra9AevLbY

 

[griff136]

Lee,
after reading your original message slowly and taking it in, it was obvious you were talking about the lower stack! - I feel such a plank now - must have had a homer moment DOH!

the key below the G# is actually your F# pad. This pad should close with the same amount of pressure and simultaneously as any of the three lower satck keys F-E-D. the F# keypad is operated by a bar which is connected to the F-E-D key feet by usually a cork/hycotex linkage. I see on your video that the f# pad is not closing enough this is probably due to a missing piece of cork on your F key - look at your F key form the other side to where your video was taken and then press the F key and see where it touches the bar that operates the F# pad. This is probably where your problem lies.

Q. does the F# pad close and keep the G# closed when E or D are operated?

 

[griff136]

BTW

any work done here will no doubt mean removing the left pinky keys in order to remove the bottom stack.

I personally dont glue cork or any other material to keys whilst they are still on the instrument.


Let us know if it is just that cork.

 

[Linky Lee]

Yes, it works for E and D, and it doesn't touch that bar. So it does seem to be a missing bit of cork.


I'll probably just take it down to the shop tomorrow and get it done.

Cheers.

 

[mfox]

yes looks like you have lost a cork...

 

[Linky Lee]

Well, I gave it a look over again, and you won't believe it, but one of the rods was poking out about an inch, put that back into place and voila, can't believe we all missed it. Just blended in so well!

All back to normal now.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I was going to say if that's the soprano you bought from me, it's likely to be something very simple like that as it was checked over and serviced by Stephen Howard

 

[Linky Lee]

Yes, it is Pete, and so it was.

I thought I'd just lost a bit of cork but really the rod just slipped. No problems now, had a good two hours today and it's singing beautifully still.