buescher c mel side key spring

[Daktion]

I'm overhauling my 226k cmel atm and I just took the thing apart. I noticed the long side spoon key has a circular spring. my 138k doesnt have this and looking closer at it, there is actually a small hole drilled into the key so the spring fits perfectly. The sax was pretty much a closet horn when I acquired it... it still had ALL of its original pads thus snaps also.... so I dont think it went through an overhaul. Is this normal for a later model cmel?

[cmelodysax]

Daktion - which actual note is the "the long side spoon key", the F# ? I have a 232K Buescher C-Mel (actually on ebay at the moment, 7403971058) and can willingly check, but I don't see anything obvious on any of the keys, just conventional springs...

I also have a couple of 180K's (and earlier) so I can check them as well.
Regards, Alan.

[Dave dix]

It should have the flat type of spring, same style as the top palm keys and it should have the spring slide channel soldered underneath for the spring foot to run in
Dave

[Daktion]

excuse my english as I'm not too up with saxophone parts terms. It has the flat spring which is pretty much standard and expected. However, for this particular key (i dont have the sax with me atm but it should be the bflat right side key), it also has a circular spring which looks like a suspension spring and there is a hole for it to fit in as well. With BOTH springs the action feels alot more stiff... I'm thinking of leaving off the suspension spring but am wondering if it was something buescher did as a norm. I'll take a pic of it when i get home.

[Carl H.]

A coil spring - like the spring from a pen? I think that might have been added at a later date.

[Dave dix]

Never seen a coil spring on a buescher before.
Dave

[cmelodysax]

Daktion - all my Bueschers only have the one standard flat spring under the side Bb (as do most other C-Mels). This may be a modification to help keep the Bb closed - I know some players with small hands find that the Bb side key sometimes gets accidentally opened by the side of the palm when closing the hand to play the lower stack pearls.

I'd be interested to see a photo. Alan.

[Daktion]

I was mistaken... it is actually the left side long spoon key (F) that has the spring

here is a pic of a close up of the two holes (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Daktion/IMGP2417.jpg). It is quite an interesting modification (the back hole btw)... you will notice that they actually made it off center which allows the beginning of the coil to rest perfectly underneath the key. It's almost like they mod saxes like this every day.

here is a shot of it installed... you will really not notice it unless you look carefully... or play it (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Daktion/IMGP2418.jpg).

btw alan... I saw your auction up on ebay when it was only 1hr old. I guess you're cashing it in :D I recognized it right away... I dont think i've ever seen another 200,xxx+gold TT cmel and.... that couch cover of yours is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!:shock: :flower: :shock:

[bruce bailey]

That set-up really looks like someone didn't have a long enough leaf spring and added a coil to help keep the pad closed. I would just screw in a longer leaf.

[Dave dix]

It also seems not to have a rest pad for the spring which will slowly start to wear thru the plating. I would follow Bruce's suggestion and fit a longer spring and possibly plug the extra hole if its very deep as it could cause fatigue (thou i doubt it)
Dave

[cmelodysax]

Daktion, thanks for pics, now I understand. The 'delic couch belongs to the dog, but it's ideal to photograph things on (being in a conservatory, which has lots of light) - I can believe that dogs see in monochrome, and it doesn't show dirt....

If you want to keep that coil spring, you could thread a little bit of plastic sleeving around the bottom turn, to save the sax finish, interesting mod, is the F-spring really too weak if you take it out.....? Almost seems like a 'fudge', as if the F-pad didn't always seat too well, to keep it sprung closed more.

[Daktion]

I'm going to leave it off after overhauling it. I tested the key without the spring and it works fine. With the spring there is just too much resistance for my tastes. I'm thinking that the original owner might've wanted more stiffness in the action (like someone mentioned earlier about accidently hitting the key) and had it installed.