Do all C melody saxes feel ackward?

[Les22]

I recently sold my Martin C melody, mostly because I didn't play it much and needed the money. I liked this sax but did find it somewhat ackward to play because the neck stuck out too far or something about the angle of it just wasn't right; felt like I was playing something other than a saxophone. I usually stand when I play; sitting made it a little better. I have a similar vintage Martin alto that feels like a "normal" sax in terms of neck angle. Would all C melody's feel this ackward to me? I haven't played any others but the Bueschers, Kings, Martins, etc C melodys all look to have a similar neck design to me. The exception, of course, is the Conn straight neck C melody. Would this horn feel normal to me, that is, like my martin alto or my yamaha tenor?
thanks,
Les

[MusicMedic]

I find the Conn Straight necks to feel the best (although I've heard others make the opposite statement) but I don't mind the other types of C-Melodies once they are set-up right.

I think a good part of the problem is the palm keys and the RH side keys. If these keys are set up well and risers are put on when where needed, playing becomes a lot less work.

[OLDAIR]

I recently picked up a Conn Pan American C-Mel, partly so I could try the neck on my Conn New Wonder C-Mel (which I usually play with a straight neck). It plays fairly well in tune and has slightly more resistance. But talk about awkward! I feel like T-rex trying to play a teeny-tiny little saxophone! I don't think I could ever get used to that playing position. I'm with Curt. The straight neck is MUCH easier to play.

[Gandalfe]

Not only is the straight-neck less awkward to to play but I have found the intonation to be better than that of the bent-neck variety.

[Dave Dolson]

I sure agree that curved-neck Bueschers feel strange because of the length of the neck. I feel like Prez when I find the comfortable angle (wish I could play that good). DAVE

[paulwl]

I'm in total disagreement with those who say the curved C neck isn't any good. I actually like the tone and tuning a little better than what I get playing the straight Conn neck. But they both work well for me.

[Roger Aldridge]

I'm on the same page as Paul.

I've gotten to be entirely comfortable with my curved neck Conn. A big issue for me when I first got my horn was finding a modern neckstrap that felt good on the neck and could raise my c-mel high enough. I found The Crescent strap to be just what I was looking for. There are significant differences between the Buescher and Conn curved necks. (I'm not familiar with Martin) It's my sense that the Conn neck is easier to play than the Buescher.

I haven't had the opportunity to experiment with different styles of necks on my c-mel like Paul has. But, after Steve Goodson worked on my horn it's intonation is quite good. In fact, Steve told me that the intonation on my c-melody is just as good as the intonation on his later model straight neck Conn. Thus, I'm not sure how much the style of the neck has to do with the quality of the intonation. I'll leave it to others to figure that out.

This is probably a personal bias; but, I can't relate to a straight neck c-melody. The image of a c-melody that's forever burned in my mind -- probably from pictures I've seen over the years of Frankie Trumbauer -- is that of a curved neck horn. Please know that I mean no disrespect to everyone who loves their straight neck c-melody. :lol:

[OLDAIR]

Well, we certainly cleared that up didn't we? LOL

I guess our collective advice to the original poster, is try both the straight and the curved neck models. Hopefully you will find that one of them works for you.

[Les22]

Well.......thanks for all the comments and advice. I've decided to give C melodys one more shot: I bought a Conn C straight neck off of Ebay last night for $207. It'll need new pads and cleaning, of course. I used a Runyon C mp on the Martin C, which I sold with the horn. So I'll be looking for a mp sometime in the near future, as I assume the original MP, which I believe will be coming with the Conn, will be too closed at the tip.

One last question: I really like my martin handcraft alto, the Martin C melody felt awckward to me, so what about a Martin Tenor Handcraft: is the neck angle "normal" on the tenor? I would like to score on off these someday too.
Maybe I should ask this on the Martin forum.
thanks all,

Les

[paulwl]

The image of a c-melody that's forever burned in my mind -- probably from pictures I've seen over the years of Frankie Trumbauer -- is that of a curved neck horn. Please know that I mean no disrespect to everyone who loves their straight neck c-melody. :lol:
Yeah, you never know when a touchy saxophonist might bite your reed off...

<digression>
In the silly, wooden movie bio "Bix," made about 1990, the part of Trumbauer was a fairly meaty one. Not only did he "play" a straight neck Conn C melody (probably borrowed from Bob Wilber), but he also cussed like a sailor, whereas Tram was known for his abhorrence of foul language. It was really a pretty crummy movie, with that cheap Italian movie feel, where all the dialog was dubbed in a slightly echoy room and they try to get a period look by dressing everyone in black and white with gray and brown sets, all underlit and gloomy. The only bright spots were the music and the guy who played the fat boss on "Wings," in the role of Paul Whiteman. They even went to Davenport to shoot it (they should have gone there to bury it). It did, however, lead to a nicely done soundtrack CD with Wilber and other players in the tradition.
</digression>

[cmelodysax]

Les, about the Martin tenor neck and position. As well as C-Mels, the 'standard' saxes I have are mostly Martins. I have a 50's 'The Martin' tenor, and the neck angle is pretty much the same as any tenor I've ever played . It also feels positionally the same as the Keilwerth backup tenor I have.

So if you've been comfortable with any tenor, I suspect the Handcraft won't give you any problems. Martin's don't seem to vary much as far as comfort goes, the 3 alto's (60's Magna, backup Indiana, and 20's Handcraft) I have all seem to hang/play effortlessly in much the same way.
(not that I'm biased towards Martins.......)

C-Melody playing position is certainly an emotive subject. Curved-neck can seem high and close (my preference), with straight-neck leaving me with the feeling I'm playing down around my kneecaps. It probably has a lot to do with the physical attributes of the player as well, a six-footer with good length arms would feel comfy with a straight-neck horn, whereas a short-arm 'compact' like me is happier with a curved-neck horn.

So any Martin tenor should be absolutely fine ..... Regards, Alan.

[OLDAIR]

To follow on to what tinminer said. When I place the curved neck on the C-Mel it feels much more like I'm holding an alto. When I use the straight neck, it feels much more like a tenor. I like that low slung tenor feel personally. As far as tone and intonation, I have not yet played the curved neck enough to comment though the difference doesn't seem large at this point. It does feel like it offers more resistance, while the straight neck is more free-blowing.

[michaelbaird]

The key work on any saxophone can be made more egonomic with palm key and side key risers in the right place. I also put a riser on the G# key.

[Roger Aldridge]

A follow up to this conversation.....

My repair tech recently worked on my c-melody's neck. He changed it's angle by bringing it up just a bit. It couldn't be changed too much as that would create other problems. Anyway, the work he did on it has made a wonderful difference in the curved neck being more comfortable to play. Another thing that was helpful was taking off the original thumb rest and using a modern Selmer type. My right thumb has been very grateful for this change.

[bassclarinet]

Where would one be most likely to find a Conn (stencil) straight neck and what price could one expect to pay? Would they mostly be " one size fits all"?

[cmelodysax]

As far as I know, the Conn 'New Wonder' straight-neck C-Mel is only available badged as a Conn, they didn't produce it as a stencil for third parties - not that I've ever seen, anyway.

They go for anything from about $200 as a 'fixer-upper' on ebay, $500 and up from dealers. Not quite sure what you mean by " one size fits all"? They are, of course, all the same size :) , but finish varies from nickel or plain brass up to gold plated with lots of engraving - obviously that is reflected in the price.

Regards, Alan.

[bassclarinet]

:oops:
Sorry, did not make myself clear. I just want the NECK. Have a C-Melody Conn stencil.

[rlowenote]

I saw that $187 neck also. I bought a mpc from that guy and he said he was floored that the neck went for that amount.

I bought a $100 stencil just to get a neck and case. It turns out that the sax had replacement pads and it's my everyday player. Could be better (meaning a tune-up and adjustment), but it's in better shape than anything else I have. So I still need a neck donor!!

[tbone]

BC;
Yhe last straight neck only that I've seen on Ebay sold for more than I paid for a whole horn :roll: :!: Sometimes you can buy a fixer upper for @ $150-$200 US. The neck only that I saw went for $187 :roll: :roll: :roll
Watch for a dirty horn without the case, it's usually the best bet to get a neck.

[cmelodysax]

But then again you might as well pay slightly more, and go for the complete sax, another instrument to use or sell later.............

If you like the straight neck, you may well like the (new) action as well !

Regards, Alan

[michaelbaird]

Play a C melody is like driving vintage cars. You have to have a parts car and know where the junk yards are. (parts horn and e-bay). It is a shame someone doesn't make a good aftermarket replacement neck.

[bassclarinet]

Being new I look for the easy answers and am not too swayed by technical jargon I don't understand and do not have time to investigate (I'm 78 ). When you get a little older time is more important to you. I have noticed three threads on this BB that all have the same theme and which all may have the same solution. All involve the difficulty of getting a C-Melody or small Tenor into the proper playing position, posture and neck angle being a prime consideration. There have been threads on replacement necks, best straps on the market and finally a possible solution to both. Check out the threads on the Cordera Straps and ADDjust Balancer. That might clear this all up. I'll let you know how I fared next week after I get a chance to give it a trial run. Maybe "one size fits all" maybe it does not--but I've thrown enough money at the problem to hope so.
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