Why do C Mel neck angles stink?

[hgrail]

I've got a Wurlitzer C mel that (after adding roo pads) plays really well.

I also recently aquired a Buescher C mel True Tone that could use some work - but for and Ebay find is in good shape and plays well..


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7404639825&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

The angle of the neck on both horns (and all the ones I've seen save the Conn straight necks) tends to point the mouthpiece slightly down towards the tip forcing you to really pull the horn back toward your hip.

My tenor, altos, bari, etc. all have the mpc coming back at you slightly up.

Any ideas on why Cmels are so different than everything else.:?

[makemyday]

I think it's just stupidity, or better inexperience of the designer. Remember, C melodys are old horns and as you can see the neck angle on most old timers is different than nowadays. I think they just thought a 90 degree angle was the logical step. Ergonomics weren't invented yet. You can always ask a tech to slightly adjust the neck....

[Daktion]

it was designed for the "general public" if it doesn't automatically want to force the mpc into your mouth who knows what people can come up with to play it :)

however, the biggest annoyance for me is the neck strap hook being off centered. if you just let the horn dangle (which you shouldn't do btw)... gravity forces the mpc of doom to fly up and knock out your two front teeth... and people say hockey is a rough past time

[SOTSDO]

Having done both (hockey playing, which I still do, as well as woodwind playing), the one that I have the most trouble with is not one of the saxes but rather the flute. I bring that thing up pretty quickly, and ofttimes overshoot the mark where I should start braking the moment. One chipped tooth is all it took, though...

[Ari]

The angle of the neck on both horns (and all the ones I've seen save the Conn straight necks) tends to point the mouthpiece slightly down towards the tip forcing you to really pull the horn back toward your hip.

Amen to that and the "mouthpiece of doom" comment.
I have the sweetest sounding Buescher C-mel in the closet but It gives me shoulder cramps after playing for about 30 min due to the ^%&*(*&! neck angle.

I once saw a mpc on ebay that had a reverse angle at the shank and I wonder if it was made specifically to help with this ergonomic mistake.

[Captain Beeflat]

It is not rocket science to lower the strap ring. It took only a few minutes to remove & resolder the rings on both my C tenors. In order to avoid a scar, a second ring can be fitted in what is to most, the "correct" position.

[David Spiegelthal]

I think back in the old days sax players all played 'sidesaddle' (many modern players don't) and also they tilted the horns farther down and back than is typical nowadays.
But I agree that old saxes (tenor and alto too, not just C-melody) have neck angles that are much too horizontal for us 'modern' players.

[hgrail]

Interesting thought.

Could this explain some of the strange wear on the bells of a few of my older horns?

Perhaps from resting the bell on their leg?

[Dave dix]

Could be the best angle for peering at the piano music over grannies head
Dave

[cmelodysax]

Quite a few of my C-Mels have had (or still have) dints on one side of the bow, as though the sax has been held to the players right-hand-side, and been clunked against the leg or seat of a wooden chair at moments of excitement (or frustration....)

It does require a certain technique to read music past (or around) the standard C-Mel curved neck. A certain amout of dipping, bobbing, weaving, and sideways glancing is required to see past the curved neck - but still far less traumatic than playing a straight-neck C-Mel at 'full arm stretch'... ;)

[soreliprick]

The curved neck c mels were made for people who had no reason to live, while the straight necks were made for tall people who have no problem bending their arms and would need a neck extention to do a 'full arm stretch'.
Having a Buescher, a Martin, and a straight Conn, I find the Martin to be the most annoying, having the curviest neck and most out of place straphook. It also has the sweetest tone....it must have been made for munchkins.

[cmelodysax]

Appreciate that, soreliprick, at a tad over five feet, I find my Martin C-Mel so easy to play. Often been referred to as a gnome, never a munchkin !

I can only play my Conn by replacing the straight neck with a curved one (from a Buescher stencil), it really does affect the tone - for the better !

[bruce bailey]

I too find my Martinlitzer to be high in the neck region. I feel like I need to look around it to see what is going on!!!

[Pannonia]

The best position I have found was sitting down and resting the bow on my thigh. The ridge on the bow is nasty so I use some folded cloth to cushion it. For me the mouthpiece is at prefect height when I keep my back really straight. That also encourages a good air supply.

[Dave dix]

I have just re-padded and regulated a conn curved neck c-mel (1917) and found the playing position quite comfortable ,standing with it out front was fine also sitting down and playing it side-saddle was fine.
Dave

[Dave dix]

It was a recent ebay purchase
Dave

[tbone]

Often been referred to as a gnome, never a munchkin


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