[BrianMitchellBrody]

I recently bought an early 60's tenor sax and although it plays very well and I am enjoying its vintage tone, the neck has to be even with the octave key and
the bell is so far to the right its almost comical.

Is this normal for horns with in line keys to be so cockeyed to feel comfortable or do you play it crooked?

 

[1saxman]

You don't seem to be a beginner so I'm at a loss in determining your meaning. Can you clarify?

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

You don't seem to be a beginner so I'm at a loss in determining your meaning. Can you clarify?

In order to be able to play comfortably the neck position is at 190 degree angle and the bell is even further left making the whole horn
look like three parts put together incorrectly.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Keep in mind I have never played a horn older than 1976 which is when I started so modern ergos is what I'm used to

 

[Dr G]

In order to be able to play comfortably the neck position is at 190 degree angle and the bell is even further left making the whole horn
look like three parts put together incorrectly.

What's the horn? '60s is not that old.

Just put it together so it plays for you. The only rub is if the octave key doesn't work.

Get back to us if you need to adjust it.

 

[milandro]

can you publish some detailed pictures? Which horn is this? I think you may e doing something wrong.

 

[Pete Thomas]

the bell is so far to the right its almost comical. ?

the neck position is at 190 degree angle and the bell is even further left making the whole horn

I'm confused now, is it right or left?

the neck has to be even with the octave key

It's kind of normal on any horn of any era that the more or less central position of the neck key ring corresponds to the pin key - think of that as default. But there should be anything up to 2 mm gap between the key ring and pin precisely so that there is some room to adjust the neck left or right a bit from central.

The smaller that gap the more likely the center of the ring has to line up with the pin. If you have the recommended gap (about max ) 2mm then you should be able to move the neck maybe up to 30 degrees. I'm just guessing here at the moment , it could be more or less but at least there should be quite a lot of leeway.

But this would be the same for modern or vintage.

Is this by any chance a Dolnet M70?

 

[Bkenes]

I also thought of Dolnet... Their bell is offset, but it doesnt affect the playability.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I also thought of Dolnet... Their bell is offset, but it doesnt affect the playability.

Only if you try to force it to point forward

 

[whaler]

Adjust the octave key on the neck where the activator on the body touches it. That’s not an unusual adjustment if you bought some old beater.

 

[Kritavi]

I know exactly what you mean Brian. This is common with many older horns, properly assembled , they are not entirely symmetrical. The bell is offset to the body of the horn.
In big band situations this allowed the sound to slightly angle without the players doing so.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

I'm confused now, is it right or left?

It's kind of normal on any horn of any era that the more or less central position of the neck key ring corresponds to the pin key - think of that as default. But there should be anything up to 2 mm gap between the key ring and pin precisely so that there is some room to adjust the neck left or right a bit from central.

The smaller that gap the more likely the center of the ring has to line up with the pin. If you have the recommended gap (about max ) 2mm then you should be able to move the neck maybe up to 30 degrees. I'm just guessing here at the moment , it could be more or less but at least there should be quite a lot of leeway.

But this would be the same for modern or vintage.

Is this by any chance a Dolnet M70?

LOLOL I remember your Dolnet that twisted around the corner ))) No its a Welklang GDR

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

What's the horn? '60s is not that old.

Just put it together so it plays for you. The only rub is if the octave key doesn't work.

Get back to us if you need to adjust it.

I will get some pictures but the octave fork that opens the octave key is working no matter where I put the neck. Its ingenious.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Adjust the octave key on the neck where the activator on the body touches it. That's not an unusual adjustment if you bought some old beater.

Not a beater at all. In fact this Welklang is a two owner First owner never played it and the 2nd owner only played it twice and then switched to........bagpipes! LOL Its minty.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

can you publish some detailed pictures? Which horn is this? I think you may e doing something wrong.

YEs

 

[turf3]

The way to position the rotation adjustment of the neck to the body is to adjust it so without needing to roll the horn in your hands, the mouthpiece enters your mouth (or sits just a wee bit below it, touching your chin just under the center of your lower lip) when the horn is hanging where you hang it and your head is held normally upright and not turned to the side.

Depending on the make and model and level of assembly QC, the bell may appear rotated to one side or the other. This is common with older instruments and off-brand ones. As long as the octave key can be adjusted to work properly, that's the way the instrument is. It has no effect on how it plays.

 

[Bkenes]

Lester Young played the sax almost like a flute.
Chu Berry also used to hold it sideways. Not nearly like Young though!

 

[Dr G]

I will get some pictures but the octave fork that opens the octave key is working no matter where I put the neck. Its ingenious.

OK, then there's no issue.

Position the neck such that your hands and wrists are comfortable, and let the bell point where it wants.

 

[saxoclese]

If the "ring" that connects to the neck octave key is concentric with the neck tenon, the mechanism will work with the neck turned to any position. In most cases the best position of the neck is when the "pin" from the body is lined up with the brace on the underside of the neck (if it has one), but there are exceptions.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Having trouble adding photos but the advice G gave is exactly how I've be en playing it. Just seemed weird to me. Loving the horn anyway.