Pimp my Sax

funkster · Nov 16, 2006

Ok heres the thing......I need my Sax modded. Nope, I'm not some Chav who's looking to add go faster stripes or flashy lighting or even some kick ass bass speakers and sub woofer. Nope, thats not what I want.

Basically, I'm missing 2 digits from my right hand. You might think this is a problem giving that the sax require 4 fingers.....but with the help of a guitar plectrum, some blue tack, clever fingering and a lot of patience I am able to overcome this. Thing is, when I play I have to sit down to rest the sax between my legs.

What I'm after is someone who can think a little outside the box. My idea (well, someone elses actually) is to run the 'F' key around the back and closer to the hook so I can use my thumb.

So, bit of a challenge for some of you 5 fingered persons out there. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Regards

Wayne (Funkster)

Bobby G · Nov 16, 2006

Just a thought, Wayne. Have a look at Steve Howard's excellent website on shwoodwind.co.uk. He is a repairer and musician with a very good reputation. His site has contact details and I think he is able to accomodate those with specialised playing requirements. He's also based diwn your end of the country, somewhere in the deoths of rural Hampshire.

From the little contact I;ve had with him he's very approachable and knows his stuff.

Good luck with getting your mods done.

Cheers, Bob

funkster · Nov 16, 2006

Thanks for the info, Bob. Very much appreciated.
Will keep you informed of any developments and who knows, I may even throw in a sample of my musical skills (or lack of) in the samples thread!!! That'll put you all off playing the sax... lol

w

Bobby G · Nov 17, 2006

Nothing puts me off playing sax more than hearing, or more accurately seeing someone play who is far better than I can ever hope to be, and does it apparently effortlessly 😡 😉

Cheers, Bob

mfox · Nov 17, 2006

a little research into roland kirk may thow up some ideas..
he had a stroke and got a sax converted so he could play it with 1 hand just about..

rs2sensen · Nov 17, 2006

I believe Steve Goodson has done saxophone work to make a one-handed instrument, or an instrument for someone missing fingers. I forget, but you could also contact him.

saxgourmet.com

Pete Thomas · Nov 17, 2006

When i was at college there was someone with a tenor and flute modified for him, he only had two fingers on his right hand.

Griff who is around here from time to time may have some ideas.

griff136 · Nov 17, 2006

HI Guys

I intend to be around here a little more often now that the wedding and birth of no1 son is over and Im working from home again.

Hi Wayne.

Any tech worth thier salt should be able to re configure your keywork. - I do like the idea of the F# being operated by the thumb. - you could probably remove the thumbhook and replace it with a modified on that allows you to still use the thubhook and operate a key.

The modifictions would not be cheap but a good professional job would last a life time.

Wherabouts are you?

Bobby G · Nov 17, 2006

griff136 wrote:
HI Guys

I intend to be around here a little more often now that the wedding and bith of no1 son is over and Im working from home again.

Hi Griff, glad to hear you'll be around a bit more dispensing words of wisdom etc.

Hope all is well with your new family and love to delightful Devon.

Cheers, Bob

griff136 · Nov 17, 2006

Thanks Bob

funkster · Nov 17, 2006

griff136 wrote:
Hi Wayne.

Any tech worth thier salt should be able to re configure your keywork. - I do like the idea of the F# being operated by the thumb. - you could probably remove the thumbhook and replace it with a modified on that allows you to still use the thubhook and operate a key.

The modifictions would not be cheap but a good professional job would last a life time.

Wherabouts are you?

Hi Griff
Thanks for replying, its much appreciated. I'm near Yeovil, Somerset about 30 mins from Taunton.

So, is this something that you could do or can you recommend anyone? My hands are quite small so the mods would have to include modding the thumb hook, or at least make it thin enough to allow thumb movement. The other bit (which I'd guess is relatively simple) is to solder (?) something similar to the low Eb & C keys to E & D keys to enable me to hold them both down with 1 finger.

Thanks Griff

Wayne

Linky Lee · Nov 17, 2006

for the E and D key's you could have a mechanism similar to the Eb/C but the other way around so that you could use two areas of your finger to close them.

I.E. The ball of your finger could close and open the E and the Tip the D. then you're second finger could do the Eb and C. And the thumb the F

griff136 · Nov 18, 2006

Hi Wayne
Im in Exmouth and would be willing to talk to you about your requirements - I
also have a few ideas that you may wish to listen to.

you can see some of my work here.

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dgriffithsmusic/album?.dir=/8c9fre2&.src=ph&.tok=phMvX1FBTJRCfPGa

my contact details are at the link at the bottom of this post.

Regards
Griff

funkster · Nov 18, 2006

Lee - I think you're right and is kind of where my head is at.

Griff - Impressive stuff. I would definitely would like to come down and have a chat and listen to any ideas you have. I have a few others that don't involve too much re-working of the mechanisms but would prove a little limiting.

I've taken note of your contact details and will get in touch with you soon.

Thanks again

Wayne

Linky Lee · Nov 18, 2006

I paint jobbed a sax to make my idea a bit clearer hopefully.

it's here.

http://img199.imageshack.us/my.php?image=saxmodwh1.png

Hope you get your sax sorted!

griff136 · Nov 18, 2006

Hi Wayne,

here's an idea Ive just knocked up.
let me know what you think.

griff136 · Nov 18, 2006

This idea would, i envisage have a linear pinky table when you press for example the D key it, like the L hand pinky table low Bb key, will close the other keys automatically eg the F and E.

One would also by necessity
have to elongate the Eb and C keys so that the new spatulas could be aligned so that they wer more comfortable and ergonomic to use.

griff136 · Nov 18, 2006

Hi wayne this is probably a better option

[Attachment: right_hand_key__mod2.doc (29.10kb)]

funkster · Nov 19, 2006

Griff / Lee

The way Lee has painted it is pretty much how I currently finger the keys with the obvious exception of the modded F, which I currently work with my thumb.

Griff, Mod 1 seems ok but mod 2 I'm struggling to get my head around. I really like the idea but I can't quite see how simple it would be when playing from D# to D - or maybe I'm just not reading it right? Also, it's quite a stretch to finger C, but I guess that would be fixed with these mods.

Later I'll take some pics so you can get some idea of the size and shape of my hand & how I currently finger the keys.

Guys, I really can't thank you enough for the time and effort you've put in to help find a solution to enable me to play. It really is very much appreciated.

Wayne

griff136 · Nov 19, 2006

On Mod 2 your finger nearest your thumb operates the two keys they have rollers and as you roll from F to E the E holds both keys down so you can instantly play an E by pressing down the lower key.

to play a D you need to press down the E spatula (as explained above) and then press the D key.

to get a D#Eb you just press down the Eb key with your lower finger and it closes both the D and opens the D#/Eb just and to go between the two just roll your finger on and off the spatula.

Does that make sense?