Octave Key

tommy_ng · Mar 1, 2009

Noisy middle D, G, and G# on my walstein alto. It is perfectly fine from middle A onwards when the octave key moves to the top.

Those noisy notes would be fine if i don't use the octave key at all.

Is there a problem with the "lower" octave key? Can it be repaired at all?

:cry:

griff136 · Mar 2, 2009

it could be that your neck octave key is staying slightly open.

check that the octave key on your crook is not touching the little linkage arm that sticks out from the top of the sax. if it is touching then this would cause your crook octave pad to stay slightly open.

to rectify this, remove your crook from the sax, hold the crook so that you keep the octave pad closed and then gently bend the other end of the key away from the crook.

you should try to achieve a slight gap between the a\rm and the crook key when the sax is at rest.

tommy_ng · Mar 2, 2009

Thank you so much for your comment... :w00t:

griff136 · Mar 2, 2009

you're welcome, did it fix the problem?

Bobby G · Mar 2, 2009

I think the clearance between the octave arm and the crook key need only be of the order of a fraction of a millimetre, just enough that the crook octave pad seals fully.

griff136 · Mar 3, 2009

you're absolutely right Bob, there should be minimum clearance between the two.

tommy_ng · Mar 3, 2009

Have not tried yet, will probably do it this weekend....

I am a bit worry that i will damage the octave key if i bend it the wrong way.

old_git · Mar 3, 2009

Tommy,
Even an idiot like me can perform this adjustment. (Quiet, Griff, YC and Smiffy.)
If you are that worried, decide which way it needs the slight bend, take out the pivot screw, adjust gently, reassemble and check. All that will happen if you bend it the wrong way is the top pip will obviously be even further open. Continue until you get a satisfactory result.

Invoice in post.