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The Proposition:
That a moveable weight attached to the crook (or neck) brace will noticeably alter the tone of these horns (and presumably any others to which such a weight can be attached in the same fashion).
The claim is made that by positioning the weight in various places along the length of the brace, there is a noticeable effect on the tone.
The quality of this variance relies on the degree of pressure exterted by the clamp, with the best results said to be achieved when the clamped weight cannot be moved by hand.
Some positions were said to be detrimental to the tone.
The Theory:
That by adding a mass to the crook it will alter the resonance in some fashion, which may be of benefit to the player.
The Specifications:
An elliptical lead weight of some 3oz or thereabouts, with a groove cut across the top at 90 degrees to the length to facilitate a snug fit against the crook brace (being a round section rod of some 4.5mm in diameter) with the aid of a clamping device (a hose clamp).
The Observations:
The proposer discounted other similar experiments on the basis that there was insuficient clamping or that the shape of the mass was wrong. None of these experiments yeilded any noticeable results.
The Test:
A lead weight conforming to the shape specified was made up. On the basis that adding mass to the crook was purported to be beneficial, and to give the device the best chance of working, the weight was made heavier - at around 6oz.
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In order to maximise the contact area between the weight and the brace, an integral clamp was fitted. This would be less fussy in use than the hose clamp, less damaging and more efficient (shown above, with an 18.5mm palm key pad for perspective).
Subsequent testing on a Conn 10M led to the following modifications; shortening of the longer screw and the fitment of greased washers beneath the screw heads.
It was found that the weight could be placed anywhere along the entire length of the brace, save for the last centimetre or so at each end.
The sax was played in its unmodified state first, by myself and by its owner, Pete Thomas.
The weight was then fitted to an arbitrary position and the sax tested again.
Pete Thomas was then asked to close his eyes and to keep them shut, while the weight was moved to various positions along the brace - a play test following each change of position.
The degree of clamping was altered, and ranged from loose enough to allow the clamp to be moved up and down the brace and tight enough so that it could not be moved by hand.
It was found that subsequent movements of the weight required the screws to be driven futher in, to counter the compression of the lead against the brace.
I then repeated the tests, playing the sax myself.
Neither Pete nor I found any noticeable difference in the tone or the response of the horn - either for the better or for the worse.
Further testing is to be undertaken by Pete Thomas, and sounclips/video may follow - but on the basis of the test carried out today I personally found no evidence to support the proposal.
Regards,
That a moveable weight attached to the crook (or neck) brace will noticeably alter the tone of these horns (and presumably any others to which such a weight can be attached in the same fashion).
The claim is made that by positioning the weight in various places along the length of the brace, there is a noticeable effect on the tone.
The quality of this variance relies on the degree of pressure exterted by the clamp, with the best results said to be achieved when the clamped weight cannot be moved by hand.
Some positions were said to be detrimental to the tone.
The Theory:
That by adding a mass to the crook it will alter the resonance in some fashion, which may be of benefit to the player.
The Specifications:
An elliptical lead weight of some 3oz or thereabouts, with a groove cut across the top at 90 degrees to the length to facilitate a snug fit against the crook brace (being a round section rod of some 4.5mm in diameter) with the aid of a clamping device (a hose clamp).
The Observations:
The proposer discounted other similar experiments on the basis that there was insuficient clamping or that the shape of the mass was wrong. None of these experiments yeilded any noticeable results.
The Test:
A lead weight conforming to the shape specified was made up. On the basis that adding mass to the crook was purported to be beneficial, and to give the device the best chance of working, the weight was made heavier - at around 6oz.
In order to maximise the contact area between the weight and the brace, an integral clamp was fitted. This would be less fussy in use than the hose clamp, less damaging and more efficient (shown above, with an 18.5mm palm key pad for perspective).
Subsequent testing on a Conn 10M led to the following modifications; shortening of the longer screw and the fitment of greased washers beneath the screw heads.
It was found that the weight could be placed anywhere along the entire length of the brace, save for the last centimetre or so at each end.
The sax was played in its unmodified state first, by myself and by its owner, Pete Thomas.
The weight was then fitted to an arbitrary position and the sax tested again.
Pete Thomas was then asked to close his eyes and to keep them shut, while the weight was moved to various positions along the brace - a play test following each change of position.
The degree of clamping was altered, and ranged from loose enough to allow the clamp to be moved up and down the brace and tight enough so that it could not be moved by hand.
It was found that subsequent movements of the weight required the screws to be driven futher in, to counter the compression of the lead against the brace.
I then repeated the tests, playing the sax myself.
Neither Pete nor I found any noticeable difference in the tone or the response of the horn - either for the better or for the worse.
Further testing is to be undertaken by Pete Thomas, and sounclips/video may follow - but on the basis of the test carried out today I personally found no evidence to support the proposal.
Regards,
