Me thinks I might have a problem?

[Chris98]

I was just doing my long tones on the tenor when I noticed the low C♯ sounded odd and was less stable than the D or the C either side of it, to be fair it?s always been a bit odd but I was putting it down to the fact that I was getting used the tenor and its low notes. Anyway I thought this was a little odd so I played low C but then pressed the G♯ key and low and behold the C went a little funny!

So I?m think I have found a leek or rather the regulation is out on the G♯ linking bar?

There is a bar that goes across with two screws, each a bit of cork on them, will I solve my problem buy slightly tightening the screw over the G♯ pad? (the upper screw in the photo) Visually I can?t see any movement when fingering D or low C and then pressing or releasing the G♯ key, but it?s very obvious when playing.

Any help from the guys in the know would be gratefully received,

All the best,

Chris

Please note: I've removed the photo as I didn't what to use up Pete's bandwidth.

 

[griff136]

Chris you've got it spot on!

genlty turn the screw clockwise just a "smidge" ( tech speak for a little bit) then test play repeat the process until the stuffynes goes away.

Important note - if you over tighten the regulating screw your G# will be kept shut but you will create a leak under the F# pad ( the pad with the bar and regulating screws attached)

test under the F# and the F pads with a cigarette paper to confirm they are closing fully once you have made your adjustment to the screw.

 

[Chris98]

griff136 wrote:
Chris you've got it spot on!

genlty turn the screw clockwise just a "smidge" ( tech speak for a little bit) then test play repeat the process until the stuffynes goes away.

Important note - if you over tighten the regulating screw your G# will be kept shut but you will create a leak under the F# pad ( the pad with the bar and regulating screws attached)

test under the F# and the F pads with a cigarette paper to confirm they are closing fully once you have made your adjustment to the screw.

Hi Griff,

Thanks so much for your help, I did as you instructed and wow the bottom end of my tenor has come to life, much more stable and far less stuffy, I can hit low B♭ with much greater ease, and without having work my way down to it! 😛 C♯ & B are also much better.

Thanks again for your help,

All the best,

Chris

 

[griff136]

You're welcome Chris,

for reference the other (Lower) regulating screw is for the Bis key - the same principle applies for over/under adjusting. if this is under adjusted you will get a stuffy long Bb .

 

[Chris98]

griff136 wrote:
You're welcome Chris,

for reference the other (Lower) regulating screw is for the Bis key - the same principle applies for over/under adjusting. if this is under adjusted you will get a stuffy long Bb .

Hi Griff,

I noticed a slight gap between the lower regulating screw and the lever attached to the rod as you described, which I've now tweaked a "smidgen". I don't tend to play long B♭ so it had not shown itself until you mentioned it.

Thanks again for your help, I had such good fun playing it last night and it played better than it ever has before.

All the best,

Chris

 

[Pjonah]

Result!

Its great having guys like Griff and Stephen Howard around to give us the benefit of their knowledge on this forum.

For the uninitiated (me really) its quite daunting a task to sort a sax out, a maze of holes, levers and rods, its amazing these things stay in hilter the way they do, but when they go adrift its crazyness personified!