Wacky intonation on KM alto!!!

[Yellowhorn]

A student of mine recently bought a King Marigaux alto from Honkytone. The horn came in the exact conditions that the seller had described in his post sale. I was so impressed with it when I opened the case and played it: What a full, powerful sound and solidly built horn!

But, when I tested it with a tuner (Eb at 440), all the notes showed up 1/2 key flat on the tuner. For example, C would be B. So, I turned the pitch down and only when I reached about A375 did the horn play in tune with the tuner.

I also took the horn to a gig and had to play half a note lower than Eb!

Anyway, I don't think anything can be done about this, is there? I tried tuning with the mouthpiece, but it did not make any difference.

[gary]

Have you contacted Honkeytone directly and asked why it played in tune for him and not for you?

[jbtsax]

How far did you put your mouthpiece on the cork?

John

[Yellowhorn]

I did contact Honkytone, and both he and the previous owner said that they had no such problem. Honkytone did say that the neck cork is new, and I think it is a bit too fat (to push the mpc farther down).

I suggested that my student have the neck cork replaced with a thinner one. Hopefully, this will solve the problem.

[Yellowhorn]

OK, the problem is solved: Last night, I trimmed off the neck cork and was able to push a Selmer mouthpiece far down the neck, and the horn now plays in Eb.