Rubber band missing on G# mechanism?

[stuka]

Hey all,

On my Woodwind soprano, teh G# doesn't want to quite close up, and it looks like there is supposed to be a band on the cylindrical nkob that perasses down on the G# key arm to close it. I see a rubber band on the part of the octave key mechanism that causes the C hole to close, adn I'm thinking there's supposed to be the same thing on the G# mechab\nism.. Is that right?

Thanks,

Mat

[Dave Dolson]

Matt: I don't think so. I've seen rubber bands and duct tape on horns before, but those were amateur/cheap quick-fixes. Every saxophone I've seen has springs and contact-points among the keywork to properly work all of the mechanisms.

You need to take your horn to a competent repair-tech and have him 1) fix it; 2) show you what was done wrong before. DAVE

[stitch]

If you mean a rubber sleeve rather than a band, it's possible it's gotten lost. There shouldn't be any metal/metal contact - if there is then something's definitely gone astray.

[stuka]

Yeah, I mean a rubber sleeve, not a rubber-band quick fix. There's one on the octave / C-valve link, also one on the C# linkage. It looks like a clear silicone rubber sleeve thingie. It looks to me like there *should* be one on the part of the G# lever that touches the arm of the G# key, but I'm asking to make sure. Guess I oughtta call WWBW and see if they have a replacement....

Matt

[bruce bailey]

Cut off a piece of wire insulation from a mike cord or similar. It should be about the right thickness.

[Paul Coats]

Those sleeves slip off and get lost easily. You can fix this with "heat shrink tubing" from Radio Shack or other electronics store. You may not be able to find it in clear, but black is easy to find.

Clean the little knob part so there is no key oil on it. Paint a little dab of glue on it, rubber cement will work fine. Slip on a short piece of heat shrink tubing and shrink it tight with hot air from a hair dryer. It might be necessary to slip another piece over the first piece to get the correct thickness.

If it makes you feel any better, this happened to a friend on her soprano, and to me on the C# mechanism on one of my previous sopranos.

Any time I do a repair or overhaul and use heat shrink tubing I use a little glue to keep it in place.