Altering left hand position Rev D tenor

[danodownunder]

Couldn't live with the left hand position on my rev d 14xxx I was having to push my pinky down too far very unnatural i don't mind the type of pinky spatula,I am used to that on other horns, Didn't relish moving the pinky spat and upon further study the solution is so simple remove the rocking thumb rest and lengthen the octave key button arm by a half inch and you can put the rocking thing back or build a more comfortable [read closer to the body and angled to the left slightly] thumb rest from moldable metalite putty, The other thing is to move the neck strap ring down the body to just below the side Bb key post and the horn balances like a selmer. I have trouble understanding who's hands were used to set up such an otherwise wonderfull horn as i have average sized hands. Anyone else done this ??. Dano

[DanY]

My King Marigaux tenor doesn't feel too bad, is the layout the same?
BTW it's good to see a fellow SML owner from NZ on SOTW!
I'd be keen to see your rev D if you're ever in the Wellington area.

-Daniel Y

[HonestLiar]

move the neck strap ring down the body to just below the side Bb key post

I can advocate this. I have done it on my GM I tenor and am very happy with it. Laquer burn was not an issue, because there is not much laquer left on my horn anyway :D

[danodownunder]

Hy honestliar Lacquer burn a non issue also as there is none on the horn. And Hy there DanY, I don't know if the marigaux tenor is the same, but the position on the rev D beats me so i fixed it. I do repairs as well as pro gigs here in CHCH, so are you a Danny as well bit of a coincidence. I was up in Wellington during last arts fest, saw Don Byron and a few local acts at Happy, I have an old conn alto here at the mo from Wellington belongs to that Henderson fellow, Needs lots of work and a part made for it, Do you know Antony Donaldson ? I have an Cd called Burnt Orange which he plays on it was explorers club recording 001 first one on Ants new label, Free improv stuff, i play alot of swing and RnB gigs also and SML has a great gruff RnB sound has metal reso's which help, what do you do in the windy city [my favorite] lots of great musos in Wellington. Send me your email. Dan Wilson

[DanY]

Hi Danny,

yes I know Antony, he's a great player, and Jeff Henderson! he's murder on horns. I remember he used to have a selmer alto that the octave key didn't work, he just lipped everything up the octave.
I've got that CD you mention. I mainly play with an organ trio called Twinset.
My email is twinset (at) paradise (dot) net (dot) nz

[danodownunder]

Hy Dany and all sml lovers, in addition to the above mentioned alterations i have altered the shape of the G# pinky key strike plate so as it is easier to get too and it is FABULOUS . Man that guy must have had big hands, and my favoured selmer of 30yrs is still in the case. peace........ is a good tone