Tech/maintenance Well that's a first!

[Digger2054]

I'm curious how it could be a factory option? Aren't horns made to the same specs?

Unless you're sponsored or someone has deep pockets, even then why would they change it?

Similar with testing, once out in the wild how would the manufacturer know if it was any better/worse?

It got me to thinking that perhaps it was never a problem in the factory because they were using an active flux as standard.

I suspect that might be the most logical explanation?

But they why haven't you come across it previously?

 

[turf3]

I'm curious how it could be a factory option? Aren't horns made to the same specs?

Unless you're sponsored or someone has deep pockets, even then why would they change it?

Similar with testing, once out in the wild how would the manufacturer know if it was any better/worse?


I suspect that might be the most logical explanation?

But they why haven't you come across it previously?

My theory is that for whatever reason they made a small batch and then decided not to make the material change.

 

[Pete Effamy]

My theory is that for whatever reason they made a small batch and then decided not to make the material change.

Possibly in response to a recent bad batch that had split ?

 

[Stephen Howard]

I'm curious how it could be a factory option? Aren't horns made to the same specs?
Unless you're sponsored or someone has deep pockets, even then why would they change it?
Similar with testing, once out in the wild how would the manufacturer know if it was any better/worse?


But they why haven't you come across it previously?

There are some variations with the crook clamps on the MkVI which seem to be related to the choice of finish. Typically they'd be made of nickel silver or brass but you do see the odd bronze or red brass ones occasionally (more common on the SBA for some reason). So there's clearly an option - most likely decided upon by the manufacturer or perhaps available by choice.

Why would they change it? I can't imagine that there were any concerns with corrosion resistance because Selmer had been using that design of clamp in various other metals since 1947 without any issues.
It also doesn't make sense from a financial perspective because aluminium bronze is around twice the cost of plain bronze - as well as being trickier to work.

Barring any revelations about a bespoke one-off mod I suspect that Turf3's suggestion that it was just a small batch trial seem to be the most likely explanation.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Possibly in response to a recent bad batch that had split ?

I doubt it - you'd really have to go some to split one of these things...it's a pretty substantial piece of metal.

 

[Pete Effamy]

I doubt it - you'd really have to go some to split one of these things...it's a pretty substantial piece of metal.

So what difference does it potentially make ? If you were to offer to make me one for my sax as an option / upgrade, what would you be telling me to make me take you up on your offer ?

 

[Stephen Howard]

So what difference does it potentially make ? If you were to offer to make me one for my sax as an option / upgrade, what would you be telling me to make me take you up on your offer ?

Well Sir, I can see you're a man of refinement - and an exemplary player to boot. Surely one who can appreciate the finer things in life whilst being innately attuned to the subtleties of tone that only come with years of diligent practice.
May I be so bold as to present to you the new Selmer Reso-Clamp, which combines the rich lustre of bronze with the fleetness of aluminium - resulting in that rare combination of power and agility. Suit you, Sir...suit you.

Otherwise the only other benefit would be that if you dropped your horn into the sea, the crook clamp would be the last thing that rotted away. Always a good selling point, that. Very handy if you're working the cruise ships!

 

[Pete Effamy]

Odd one innit

 

[PigSquealer]

The odd metal choice was a top secret experiment. The first of its kind. This was to test receiver mass for a darker tone. It didn’t work. Next they added lead to the blue paint around the “S” on crook octave key. Blues have never been the same since. Lastly a taste of honey to the lacquer. That’s why they always play so sweet.

If anyone believes this I have other top secret information that’s equally as porky.

 

[Stephen Howard]

The odd metal choice was a top secret experiment. The first of its kind. This was to test receiver mass for a darker tone. I didn’t work. Next they added lead to the blue paint around the “S” on crook octave key. Blues have never been the same since. Lastly a taste of honey to the lacquer. That’s why they always play so sweet.

If anyone believes this I have other top secret information that’s equally as porky.

It's an intriguing theory - but I'm wondering if it was something rather more mundane....like someone ordered in the wrong bar stock? But then the logical thing to do would be to send it back - especially after seeing the invoice!
Maybe it was just a sample from the suppliers. "Here - try this stuff, let us know how you get on with it!"

The client is due in on Friday and I'm hoping he might be able to shed some more light on it - or at least the history of the horn.

 

[Stephen Howard]

I have some news about the clamp - though nothing that really solves the mystery...

Spoke to the client today and he said that the crook clamp was worked on about 15 years ago. He suggested that maybe it was replaced at that time - but as it wasn't damaged in any way I'm sure it was simply refitted.
And I think I know exactly how it went.
The horn was found to have a loose crook clamp due the the solder breaking down (40-50 years is about what it takes). It was taken off, cleaned, refitted and soldered in place using standard flux. They likely found it tough going but because the clamp 'appeared' to be fixed in place they called it done. It also likely explains the loss of lacquer around the receiver because they probably piled the heat on.
When it came to me the clamp was barely hanging on. There's no way that a properly soldered joint would have broken down in such a short space of time - so it was just hanging on by the few spots where, somehow, the solder took hold...and most of this would have been the spot where the locating pin on the bottom of the brass pillar for the octave key mech protruded through the clamp. The rest of the solder had long since let go - and probably did so within a few weeks of the job being done. If that.

But...the horn was bought second-hand - and that's where the trail stops.