There's an extra key - C to D trill key

[bariman]

Here's the deal: I recently bought another c-melody, (probably not the best brand, but it was a steal) a Frank Holton, and have noticed in the pictures of the sax that there appears to be atleast two additional buttons on the sax, near the right hand keys (F, E, D). They resemble the alternate F# lever in shape, but are attached to a rod in line with the alt C key, and Bb key. I checked out Saxpics' site under the Holtons, and found that a lot of the saxes had this "feature" on them. Here's a link to a specific pic of the keys in question: http://saxpics.com/the_gallery/holton/elkhorn/tenor/silver/26113.jpg

If you look in one of the pics in the cluster, there is actually a red circle around one of the keys I am talking about. Any ideas? I know Pete has the answer, but I thought I'd post on SOTW instead of emailing him, and besides, the gents on this forumn have a suprisingly great amount of knowledge.

Thanks,
Bariman

[SaxPlayer1004]

im not 100% sure. however i think its a G# trill key. i read about it somewhere and i know they discontinued putting them on from lack of use, but i think that is what it is. again im not 100% sure, but im about 90%. im sure paul coats or kim p knows what it is.

[saxtek]

It's a C to D trill key, a Holton exclusive.

[SaxPlayer1004]

which c to d? c2 to d2? thanks for the knowledge. was i correct about the g# trill keys on other horns though?

[saxtek]

The trill key works for middle C to D or high C to D. Most of the Holtons that had this trill key also had the G# trill key. Both are shown in the photo mentioned above.

[1st SaxDude]

The G# Trill key is located between Righthand 1 & 2 :roll:

[bariman]

Hmmm.... That could come in handy. Don't really know where i'd use it, maybe in some improve. Thanks for the replies; I'll get the horn in a couple of days and see what is what.

Bariman

[russps]

It's a C to D trill key, a Holton exclusive.

Selmer offered it as seen here (http://www.saxpics.com/the_gallery/selmer/mark_vi/alto/low_bb/nickle/147xxx_usa/). It also has a G# trill, High F#, and Fork Eb. I could swear I saw all this on a low A alto once too. What makes this one even more strange is that its nickel plated.

Russ

[saxtek]

Russps, you're right! I forgot that I once saw a silver plated Mark VI tenor with most of these keys, but not the small forked Eb on the back. It just goes to show you that whenever you think you've seen everything, something shows up that is more unexpected. On earlier horns, when more operations were done one at a time by hand, there was more deviation from the normal keywork.

[bruce bailey]

I bought my Mark VI new in 1964 and it had a package that included a rear Eb, G# trill (works opposite to the US type where it is just a G# lever), a high F# and the C-D trill which on mine is a key outward of the high E that opens the palm Eb. These were popular in Europe but only a high F# and a low A were offered in the US. Mine does not have engraving or the low A but has silver-plated keys. $184 new.

[bariman]

Well, I got the horn today, and everything looks reasonable... for 51.00 USD! Any way, there are a few slightly bent rods, the alternate f# key guard is missing, and a post that stops one of the palm keys from depressing to far is broken off, but is with the sax. Of course the neck cork (what's left of it) is dried out, and the horn could probably use a repad. Finish ware isn't that bad, but there is some pitting, and the usual funky smell. I think I'll do the repad with some roo pads with seamless domed resos. Suprisingly there are few dents on the sax, but I guess if the sax is that small, you don't knock it into stuff as much as a bari. And man, it feels weird holding the c-mel after playing only bari for so long!

Bariman

[AMASAX]

as mentioned above, the C-D trill key was offered via special order on Selmer saxes, and probably is today, if you wanna pony up some extra $$ and wait around a while for Selmer to make it up...however, as also mentioned above, the Selmer version of this key opens the left palm high Eb key, while the Holton version is usually seen opening an extra tone hole that is positioned right around the front F key. This allows for a more in tune 'D' pitch, whereas the Selmer version produces a noticeably sharp D since it opens the high Eb key...
I'd wondered about ordering up a Selmer horn with C-D trill, but also requiring them to add the extra tone hole, ala the Holtons...never got around to it, tho :)