[Reet McVouty]

Since my hands have become arthritic due to a combo of old age and work related issues I have found it difficult to play soprano for more than an hour or so. CBD oil helps a little, but for the most part I just grin and bear it. Anyway, I just became aware of the Lagan Wrist Saver. I was wondering if anyone has tried it yet and if it really helps. I'll probably get one anyway, what have I got to lose but a couple a bucks ...

 

[1saxman]

Curved neck facilitates the use of a strap and gives a mellower tone.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Curved neck facilitates the use of a strap and gives a mellower tone.

You've kinda lost me there? What is the connection to this wrist saver attachment?

 

[Keegan]

Never even seen, it but I like the idea. Does it stay on when you put it away I’m the case? Or do you have to take it off to make it fit in the case?

 

[Reet McVouty]

Never even seen, it but I like the idea. Does it stay on when you put it away I'm the case? Or do you have to take it off to make it fit in the case?

You need to remove it to fit in the case.

 

[Cannos]

Looks like a good idea. And nice that it’s easy to take on and off without tools once thumb hook attached to the saver.

 

[Eulipion2]

I just discovered this as well. No arthritis, but soprano always makes my thumb hurt. I'm very tempted, but it seems like a lot of money for something that looks like it could be 3D printed for less than five bucks, especially since it "uses the thumb hook and hardware that are already on the horn." I guess it amounts to "what's the price of comfort?"

 

[Aquarian]

Seems like the WAW thumbrest, but with the advantage of keeping the thumb hook which is probably necessary on soprano. The bad ergonomics of the saxophone, particularly in the right hand because of the placement of the F# trill key, are pretty obvious.

I think it's expensive, but if it's the difference between playing and not playing, worth it. I play alto but almost stopped as soon as I started again due to thumb pain. I use the WAW rest and I can play.

 

[Aquarian]

You've kinda lost me there? What is the connection to this wrist saver attachment?

The neck strap usually supports almost the entire weight of the saxophone in larger saxes. On soprano, moving to a curved neck allows you to support much of the weight on the neck strap and reduce it at the thumb hook, thus lowering strain on the hand.

 

[Reet McVouty]

The neck strap usually supports almost the entire weight of the saxophone in larger saxes. On soprano, moving to a curved neck allows you to support much of the weight on the neck strap and reduce it at the thumb hook, thus lowering strain on the hand.

I play a (curved neck) YSS-82ZR, I use a neck strap, I still get hand pain. This is mostly because I have arthritis but also because of the position my right hand is locked in to. I haven't got around to ordering one of these wrist savers yet, but I will give a report on it once I've tried it.

 

[Jazzoetry]

Looks like a possible solution for the numb thumb issue.

 

[barisaxer]

Just got the metal one for my Yani and am impressed. I think I can once again play my straight soprano. Highly recommend!

 

[lydian]

Super easy to try before you buy. Just remove your thumb hook and tape a lump of something the same size as this attachment and see if it helps. Seems like it wouldn't reduce the force on the top side of the thumb at all. But if the thumb muscles in your palm get cramped by the smaller grip, or of the different angle of the thumb joint feels better, then I can see a benefit. For me, a neckstrap does the trick.

I think the comment about the curved soprano is just offering an alternative, albeit a much more expensive one.

 

[Eulipion2]

Seems like it wouldn't reduce the force on the top side of the thumb at all. But if the thumb muscles in your palm get cramped by the smaller grip, or of the different angle of the thumb joint feels better, then I can see a benefit. For me, a neckstrap does the trick.

It changes the thumb position and really helps change the way the force is distributed on the thumb. The neckstrap didn't really help me. What did help was using the straight neck and holding the horn straight out, but I preferred the overall feel of the curved neck, for which the Lagan really helps.

 

[sopsax]

You can find additional Lagan Wrist Saver info & user reviews at Lagan Wrist Saver Review.

 

[barisaxer]

Side force just wrecked me on straight soprano very different in a alto or tenor it is straighter and I can do that. way more comfort and closer to my other horns playing position. Was skeptical a few inches would do so much.

 

[DeNote Sax]

The brass wrist saver works for me for an improved ergonomic position of my thumb. I can also hold/play my straight longer in various positions (between the bell pointing down or horizontal) without neck strap...what (no strap) I don't normally do before. What I like most is that I don't have to keep screwing it on/off as my sax fits back into the case with saver on.

I do not subscribe to any neck screw replacement or extra screw attachment to saxes. I don't believe in it and never bothered to try it even when it is available in stores for trial. I just don't feel any deficiency in my alto/tenor needing the extra fix. However, I was curious and I tried A/B testing with the wrist saver on/off for any effect. For me, I find no significant effect on the sound but I have the feeling that Lagan wrist saver dampen the resonation of my series III a tiny bit in a good way. The sound is not darkened just 'felt' kind of 'thicker' in 'my hands'. I think it felt like reducing the potential shrillness of sopranos It is however not significant to be noticed by listeners. I don't think I will remember or feel the tiny difference next time I pick up the soprano sax. However, I will always feel effect of the improved ergonomic holding position and the confidence to play this straight without neck strap (not a habit I will form though). For me, that is worth the price.

 

[soybean]

Will this work on the alto, and would there be any reason to try it on a curvy soprano? very interesting device, thank you.

 

[Eulipion2]

Will this work on the alto, and would there be any reason to try it on a curvy soprano? very interesting device, thank you.

Apparently he's added models for the other horns, but it seems they're the more expensive all-brass model, not the 3d printed plastic. If your thumb hurts while playing your curvy it may be worth a shot.

 

[sopsax]

So the Lagan gizmo does a few things:

• Widens the arc of your grip.
• Lets you anchor your hook anywhere within a 1.5-inch vertical range.
• Leaves you free to angle/rotate your thumbhook in a range of positions.

How you use it... whether it reduces strain in fingers or wrist... will depend on several factors:

• Your model & type of horn.
• The location & style of your hook mounting shield.
• The location & height of your F# trill keycup/guard assembly.
• Your anatomy: hand width, finger length, wrist suppleness, etc.
• How you like to hang the horn & approach the keytouches.
• Which model of Lagan Wrist Saver you buy.
• What kind of thumbhook you use with it.
• Where you position the thumbhook vertically on the Wrist Saver.

You'll be most likely to achieve a successful outcome if you contact Brennan Lagan ahead of time to discuss your horn & your finger/wrist issues. After the Wrist Saver arrives, try it in a variety of positions to discover what works best for you. If nothing seems to work, contact Brennan again to arrange return, refund, trial of a different model, whatever.