Interchangeable saxophone resonators

[jbtsax]

I have been working on a way to make saxophone resonators interchangeable for an acoustics study to eliminate the variables involved in working with several different saxophones---even the same make and model. I thought it would be fun to share this project with my friends at the Cafe. The first photo shows the components: small grommets from Tandy, 1/8" diameter by 1/8" neodymium magnets, an oval disc cut from a single edge razor blade.



The second photo shows a view of the pads front and back with the grommet installed, and with the metal disc glued over the grommet.



The third photo shows the small magnets superglued to the backs of the resonators.



The last photo shows the pads with the resonators installed held in place with the small magnets. The questions at this point are (1) will the magnets hold the resonators tight enough against the pad to prevent excessive vibrations, and (2) will the magnetic fields interfere with the sensitive acoustic measuring equipment. Stay tuned.

 

[old git]

I'm upset, weeping, beating my breast and wishing sackcloth and ashes on you. You tried and that is appreciated but Tandy UK, your Radio Shack is no more, gone the way of Norwegian Blues.

Used to be incredibly handy for radio items of various genres but wish you every success in your project.

 

[jbtsax]

Thanks. To avert misunderstanding, I should have used the full name Tandy Leather Company which I believe you have in the UK as well. It is a great source of rivets, and grommets, and stuff you can't find other places. I use some of their press rivets when making my pad size tools. shameless plug

 

[kevgermany]

Here's a link:

http://www.tandyleather.eu/en-eur/home/home.aspx

 

[old git]

Sorry, from a red faced old git.

Grrrr! Get you next time.

 

[jbtsax]

Just a brief update to the project. One of the disadvantages with the small 1/8" diameter magnets was the small surface area to glue to the resonators. In order to overcome this problem I went with "ring" magnets that slip over the posts of the resonators. This has two advantages: 1) it gives more surface area to glue, 2) it helps to center the magnets on the resos. The picture below shows how these work. The small pads will still get the small magnets and resos shown above.

 

[milandro]

looks very promising. I look forward to the findings of your experiment and I am sure that if there would be proof of a different sound due to a different resonator (indeed a blind test experiment is required) I am sure that this could be easily transformed into a successful commercial enterprise.

 

[aldevis]

Caution: laying your saxophone on a speaker or in proximity of a magnetic field, could cause the resonators to fall 🙂

 

[kevgermany]

Caution: laying your saxophone on a speaker or in proximity of a magnetic field, could cause the resonators to fall 🙂

And I guess you're not joking.

 

[milandro]

this might be a negligible flaw 🙂, however if they fall off, it shouldn’t be too hard to stick them back on