[Eulipion2]

I'm in the planning stages of doing some light experimentation with my 1919 True Tone (thanks to THIS THREAD and the shiny "uberhauled" horns from Music Medic), and I'm looking to order some parts from Yamaha, but a lot of parts aren't listed. For example, I'd like to replace the LH palm keys, but Yamaha24x7.com doesn't list them as available across any of the tenor models. Several other keys up and down the horns are listed. In the stock lists show their Availability options are "In Stock" and "Contact Me." I'm assuming "Contact Me" means "Out of Stock".

Example:

To get the three palm keys, I'd need Reference #69, 70, and 71, but that the list skips from 48 to 72. So what about the parts that are shown in the diagram, but not in the parts lists? Do they come and go with availability? Are they only available to certified techs? Do I need to order from a Yamaha dealer?

I'm also entertaining the idea of trying to order parts from Rampone & Cazzani, as that might be a closer size match to my Buescher, but I need to get my R1 Jazz back from the shop before I can determine that.

 

[atclv]

With those prices, it's probably cheaper to take the parts from a damaged horn.

 

[reeddoubler]

There are Buescher parts horns out there, put out the word here of what you’re looking for.

 

[Eulipion2]

With those prices, it's probably cheaper to take the parts from a damaged horn.

You're probably not wrong, but if I found a sacrificial horn where all the keywork was in usable condition I'd probably try to repair that one instead. And I really love Yamaha's keywork.

There are Buescher parts horns out there, put out the word here of what you’re looking for.

I know that, but that's not what this project is about. Aside from being long overdue for an overhaul, my TT is in perfect working order. I'm wanting to upgrade some of the keywork, in particular the things that I hate about the current keywork: permanent RH thumb hook, the LH palm keys, the RH side keys, and the lack of a front F. And probably the octave key, too. Maybe thrown in a few ergonomic tweaks to the rest of it, too, but those are lower on the list. And I'll ditch the original (tattered, chipped) case if I'm successful.

More background: this TrueTone tenor was the horn I learned on. SN puts it somewhere around 1919-20, unlacquered, and bare brass stinky. Got it from my babysitter's boyfriend. It had been in his family for ages, but nobody played anymore. So here comes little Eulipion2, the only tenor in 5th grade band, playing a clunky antique tenor in a room full of shiny new-ish altos. Fast forward ~30 years: I still have the horn, but only bring it out every couple years. The sound is great, but I hate the ergos. It's not really worth the overhaul it needs, but it's definitely not a "parts horn," and I really don't want to go through the hassle of trying to sell it.

Originally I thought about learning basic instrument repair on it -- pads, corks, felts, etc. My local techs aren't really sax people (the closest one to me didn't see a very obvious body bend in a different horn, despite me repeatedly pointing out all the signs,) so I have to drive a way to get to someone who knows saxes if I want something more advanced. Or I can learn to do some repairs myself. But since I hate the keywork anyway I thought maybe I could also learn some more advanced stuff, upgrade funky keywork, and hopefully get a decent, comfortable horn out of the deal. And if I royally screw it up, then hey, parts horn!

 

[Guto]

Try Phil at secondhandsaxes.com.au
He has some sacrificial horns he sells parts from.

 

[saxoclese]

Parts such as keys are not interchangeable from one brand to another ie. Yamaha to Buescher True Tone. Often they are not interchangeable from one model to another of the same brand. Sometimes a key can be "modified" to work on a different make and model, but that often requires some serious cutting and brazing skills.

 

[Eulipion2]

Parts such as keys are not interchangeable from one brand to another ie. Yamaha to Buescher True Tone. Often they are not interchangeable from one model to another of the same brand. Sometimes a key can be "modified" to work on a different make and model, but that often requires some serious cutting and brazing skills.

I know that. Again, this is a project horn, based on several other projects by people with much more experience in such matters than myself. I know adjustments will need to be made, and if I come up against a task that I just can't get I'll find someone who can teach me. I've got several people around me who can teach me to braise or solder. Even if I only end up with a heap of scrap metal I'll consider it a success if I learn a new skill that can help me with my other horns.

 

[skeller047]

Seems to me that if you have to cut and braze you might do just as well modifying the original keys with some brass stock. Moving the key touches to a more ergonomic position might actully be easier than getting a Yamaha or other key to fit. The front F key will require some design work, and some posts added or moved.

Me, I’d just work with epoxy, cork and/or sugru to get the palm keys where they work right. Same with the side keys.