spring tension - wow

[onecat]

I was getting really frustrated with my horn thinking that it was really resistant and not free-blowing. What I wasn't realizing is that it was the key tension that was set too tight. I lightened the action a lot and now it plays as I want it too, I got it as light as possible and this is how I like it.

 

[Bobby G]

I've done the same with mine in the past with good results, although the YAS-62 isn't exactly difficult to play anyway.

One thing to watch out for though - don't overdo the spring de-tensioning, otherwise tone holes you want closed can lift very slightly when you blow causing some very odd sounds to come out of the bell. Also, it's a good idea to keep the action lubricated.

 

[Linky Lee]

I've just had a bit of a tweak on my Hanson and am very pleased with the results. It's coming up for it's annual service in January so should be in tip top shape pretty soon, I'm sure it will of got a few leaks in some places.

 

[Col9]

right chaps, silly question time................... 8|

How does spring tension effect how it blows? ie (free blowing or resistant Onecat). To my mind a hole is either covered or not, but this is obviously not the case. you all seem to imply that it is easier to blow with lighter spring tension.

Please explain.
Col.

 

[Bobby G]

You may have some leaks I suppose, although since my last tweaking/leak-fixing exercise my alto has been pretty stable, and has been for maybe 8-9 months.

 

[Linky Lee]

I don't think it affects the way it blows at all.
Changing the key heights would, but that would also affect the tone and to an extent the intonation depending on how extreme you changed them.

having a weaker springing means it takes less effort to press the keys down which can be a benefit, but there are draw backs. If you spring them too weak they can blow open and don't 'snap' back after you release them properly effectively slowing the action down.

If you can get the balance right you can get a fast action on almost all horns, the mechanisms and regulation determine how slick and smooth it feels though.

 

[Col9]

right that's pretty much what I thought, but reading Onecat's top post I took it to read that its easier to blow.

Cheers for clearing that up.
Col.

 

[griff136]

Col9 wrote:
right that's pretty much what I thought, but reading Onecat's top post I took it to read that its easier to blow.

Cheers for clearing that up.
Col.

I think Onecat should have said " easier to play". Adjusting springs IHMO will not make a sax less resisitve to blow.

 

[Linky Lee]

I haven't found a difference, and can't logically think why a weaker springing would effect the resistance of particles vibrating inside the body of the instrument.

 

[Bobby G]

Agreed, de-tensioning springs will only affect how easily you manipulate the keys, it certainly won't make the horn more or less resistant. Which leads to another question in another thread....

 

[Linky Lee]

which I also can't believe to be true based on said principles above.

 

[Pete Thomas]

One thing to say though, if the spring tension is too weak on keys that are normally shut, especially the palm keys D - F, it's possible for a leak to occur.

I've had this happen on a top F. The leak is not apparent with a leak light as the pad actually seals, but when blown, there can be a chance that the key will lift slightly and affect the sound.

Griff may (or may not) confirm that this is possible.

 

[Bobby G]

I believe that is exactly what can happen Pete, as during my experiments with spring tensions I weakened things a bit too much and lost notes right at the bottom of the horn. The cause was a too-weak spring on the low C# key which lifting slightly when I blew.

The trouble was it only happened if I played loud, and as you say it was sealing properly when I leak-tested it, but logic told me to increase the spring tension a little at which point my low B and Bb came back as good as ever.

 

[griff136]

griff136 wrote:

Pete Thomas wrote:
One thing to say though, if the spring tension is too weak on keys that are normally shut, especially the palm keys D - F, it's possible for a leak to occur.

I've had this happen on a top F. The leak is not apparent with a leak light as the pad actually seals, but when blown, there can be a chance that the key will lift slightly and affect the sound.

Griff may (or may not) confirm that this is possible.

absolutely correct! and another point re lightening spring tensions - if the tension is too light then it can make it harder to play faster passages because the sprung open keys take longer to return to their open position - which could affect tuning.