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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / Yanagisawa C# Very Sharp

Gordon (NZ) Nov 21st 10:09 PM
My own Yanagisawa braitone sax is a 1987 'semi-pro' model which I don't play enough to upgrade. The C# with octave key was at least 35 centimes sharp so this morning I was finally inspired to find a solution, suggested by that on the current Selmer alto.

I made an adjustable linkage arm that clamps on the part of the octave mechanism that the octave lever engages, to the linkage arm of the 'small' C key - the one above the B key.

This means that when I press the octave key the small C key also partially closes, and the amount of closure is fully adjustable.

This has been most successful. Just thought I'd mention it in case anybody else has this tuning problem and would like to suggest this fix to their repairer.

Fun Bun
User ID: 1174374 Nov 21st 11:51 PM
Dude, on the high C# why not just put the entire right hand down and voice down also?

Gordon (NZ) Nov 22nd 5:07 AM
On this sax the extra fingers made only a slight difference. I had to voice it down to a gross weedy tone.

Steve Goodson
User ID: 1062774 Nov 22nd 8:17 AM
I use the same solution, and it works very well indeed. You can see pictures and drawings of the mechanism I fabricate on my site, www.saxgourmet.com, in the sample modifications section, under the heading "A photo tour of Steve's personal Mk VI tenor". The mechanism is relatively easy to fabricate, and the results are well worth the effort. It also relieves sharp palm key notes.

MojoBari
User ID: 1195644 Nov 22nd 10:51 AM
Great stuff, guys!

stevew
User ID: 9704903 Nov 22nd 12:23 PM
The C# is a dodgy note on my new-ish B901 too, I had put it down to inexperience or maybe mouthpiece selection...always good to know that you're not alone, though!

Gordon (NZ)	Nov 21st 10:09 PM My own Yanagisawa braitone sax is a 1987 'semi-pro' model which I don't play enough to upgrade. The C# with octave key was at least 35 centimes sharp so this morning I was finally inspired to find a solution, suggested by that on the current Selmer alto. I made an adjustable linkage arm that clamps on the part of the octave mechanism that the octave lever engages, to the linkage arm of the 'small' C key - the one above the B key. This means that when I press the octave key the small C key also partially closes, and the amount of closure is fully adjustable. This has been most successful. Just thought I'd mention it in case anybody else has this tuning problem and would like to suggest this fix to their repairer.
Fun Bun User ID: 1174374	Nov 21st 11:51 PM Dude, on the high C# why not just put the entire right hand down and voice down also?
Gordon (NZ)	Nov 22nd 5:07 AM On this sax the extra fingers made only a slight difference. I had to voice it down to a gross weedy tone.
Steve Goodson User ID: 1062774	Nov 22nd 8:17 AM I use the same solution, and it works very well indeed. You can see pictures and drawings of the mechanism I fabricate on my site, www.saxgourmet.com, in the sample modifications section, under the heading "A photo tour of Steve's personal Mk VI tenor". The mechanism is relatively easy to fabricate, and the results are well worth the effort. It also relieves sharp palm key notes.
MojoBari User ID: 1195644	Nov 22nd 10:51 AM Great stuff, guys!
stevew User ID: 9704903	Nov 22nd 12:23 PM The C# is a dodgy note on my new-ish B901 too, I had put it down to inexperience or maybe mouthpiece selection...always good to know that you're not alone, though!