Slightly Stuffy middle A

Hi Guys

I have had a very slightly stuffy ( thats what I call it ) middle A for as long as I remember on one of my Tenors and have got used to blowing slightly differently to overcome it

What I have noticed after finally comparing the two Tenors is that the G pad doesnt lift away from the whole as far as the B and C

If I play A and then very gently lift the G pad up a small amount the stuffiness goes so I assume the problem is this G pad not allowing the hole to vent properly

I have taken a look at the mechanism to see if there is any way of adjusting it and its a bit scary as it links to the octave key etc and bending arms is definitely not for me

Is there a simple fix or is it a job for a professional repairer--and is it easy for a repairer to fix

Tx

Phil
 
If you can easily lift it, then it's probably just the spring that's a little weak. Just unhook, and increase the tension by bending it back a little, but be sure to support it so that the spring doesn't bend where it goes into the post.

If you're unsure take it to a technican. should be an on the spot cheap fix.
 
First of all check between the body octave keycup and the short lever that extends from the G key rod to see if there is a thick layer of cork or other silencing material under the lever. If there is, that could be the cause of your adjustment problem. You can sand the cork down using an emery board or a thin strip of sandpaper. If that is not the case then some key bending is in order. :w00t:

If you feel up to the task, here is a safe and easy way to do it.

1. Take apart a wooden clothes pin.

2. Hold the G key closed by pressing down on its key cup (not the key pearl).

3. Use the tapered end of the wooden clothes pin as a lever between the body octave key and the short lever that extends from the G key rod and gently bend the short lever up.

4. Check the G keycup opening and repeat if it is not high enough.

Each of the keycups on the upper stack should open slightly higher than the one before it. Normally, the tops of the keycups should all be approximately on the same plane.

If you go too far and the keycup opens too much (usually it hits a part of the G# lever and clicks), simply hold the keycup closed with your hand and press down on the short lever with your finger to bend it down (use a glove if it is hard to bend). An alternate way is to hold the G keycup closed and to lift up on the lever that the pearl is attached to. Be careful as this may put the key pearl higher than you like. I like mine to be a bit higher than the A for my short stubby fingers, but that is a personal taste.

There are some related minor issues related to lost motion in the octave mechanism, but your tech can address these the next time you take the sax in for adjustment. Most players won't even notice that the lost motion exists.
 
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Hi Guys

Perhaps my expression" very gently lifting the G pad" was a bit misleading for which I apologise

To get any movement in the G pad, I apply upward pressure and I can feel the bar that links to to the bit that holds the lower octave key shut flex slightly as I lift the pad

The only way I can see to get more openness on the G pad is to remove cork from the little bar that holds the octave key shut --there is virtually none there---or somehow bend the the arm that holds the pad in place--definitely not for me as to get it seating again must involve a lot of work

I have increased the spring tension a bit but it didnt make any difference

The long lever that closes the G cup is already slightly higher than the B and C keys

If I look down the body of the sax then the G cup is slightly less open that the B and C

Think its time for a visit to a repairer--Dont feel that confident about mucking about with things I'm not sure of

Tx

Phil
 
It's unlikely to be the spring, it's very easy to open the G key more with your fingers because of flex in this relatively flexible key and/or in its linkage material. It's not so difficult to allow it to open more like John described or a few other pretty similar ways. Although theoretically possible, it's very unlikely to bend he G key cup itself so that it needs to be adjusted. I would probably use my hand to support the hinge rod while doing it. By the way this will probably slightly raise the G touchpiece too, but I'd leave thta alone for now if that happens. Also notice that the G key doesn't collide with the G# spring, it can happen if it's too high.
 

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