I've some comments:
1) I'd take all those reported weights with a block of salt given that most people don't have the foggiest idea how to make an accurate measurement. Two Buescher True Tone sopranos with 180g difference sounds bogus to me. Your bathroom scale with 240 lb range is NOT going to give you accurate weights to +/- 10g, especially if you just rest the horn on it. For things that weigh around 1.5 kgf, you need a scale with a range of something like 10 or 20 kgf, not a bathroom scale, and not a kitchen scale that goes up to 1000 g and you're overloading it and reading the dial on the second time around.
2) Most RH thumb hooks on clarinet and soprano sax are too low for someone with normal hands. Take a look at the anatomy of your hand (apparently many instrument designers never do this). When the hand's curved in a natural form, your thumb is across from your index finger, not somewhere down below the middle finger. Collapse the thumb down under there and right off the bat you're severely weakening the abiility of the thumb to hold something. Unfortunately most soprano saxophones have the alternate F# key right where the thumb needs to go. Thus, the ergonomic superiority of the Buescher/Martin layout with the up-and-down alt F# key, so there's not that tone hole back there. Unfortunately even those makes persisted in the weird under-the-middle-finger positioning of the thumbhook, but if you have a Buescher or Martin you can unsolder that thing and put it where it ought to be.
3) The whole problem is exacerbated when players hold the straight soprano down like a clarinet. 'Tain't a clarinet. It's a saxophone. Hold it OUT, nearly horizontal, so the saxophone mouthpiece interacts with you LIKE a saxophone mouthpiece. Now, the weight of the horn is being supported by your right thumb in the "gripping/clamping" direction, which is enormously strong, rather than the "pushing sideways upward" direction, whicih is the very weakest direction for the thumb to act. Holding the soprano sax like this will also improve tone and response, especially on low notes. Whenever I find I'm having low note response difficulties on soprano, I always realize I'm letting the thing sag.
The neck strap seems like a good idea, but a straight horn and a neck strap doesn't work; the neck strap will run right across the back of your left hand. Plus see my notes on embouchure. But if you put a seriously curved neck on a straight horn (I can't do this because I don't own a two piece soprano), then you'd essentially be playing a curved soprano from the low D on up, and the neck would get the thing away from your body. I have not seen many (any?) really curved necks on otherwise straight horns; it seems like they're either straight, or slightly curved. I'd want something that looks like a wee little alto neck.
4) Old style thumbhooks just suck even if you've done the relocation and you're holding the horn out horizontally. I achieved a big improvement on my Buescher soprano when I installed a modern (Music Medic) wide thumbhook. The dreaded ring is even worse.
5) And with all that, if I play very long my thumb STILL hurts - maybe it's the 45 years of riding bicycles, drop bars on the hoods have given me a little arthritis in the thumb joint. If I were going to seriously focus on soprano, I think I'd be buying a curvie.
Absolutely agree with you about the weight responses.
I knew without a doubt that my bathroom scale wasn’t close to accurate however I don’t have a food scale.
When I inquired about this type of pain, the information you’ve just given , is what I learned , which made perfect sense. The thumb rest is too low on the saxophone. Many suggestions were given and I chose the one that appealed to me the most.
Since I have been a vintage model SML alto player most of my life, ( since 1973 ) I’ve always used a neck strap so when I purchased my very first soprano, (2018), I soon discovered that playing a Bb straight model with a neck strap doesn’t quite work. The neck strap gets in the way.
Anyway I’m older and my vintage alto was getting harder to play which is why I decided to try a soprano. It looked like it would be so much lighter and easier to play so I found a used Yamaha 475 and instantly fell in love with the sound and how easy it played.
I’d read so many articles claiming that soprano is difficult to play in pitch and was pleasantly surprised that this wasn’t the case. Anyway I started playing one hour each night and was stoked.
After several weeks I could barely move my right thumb and this problem progressed. Sitting on the couch leaning back and resting the bell of the saxophone on my knee was the only comfortable position to play but not always practical.
It’s been almost 5 years since I purchased this soprano. Since then, the saxophone itself, has been damaged. 🥹( don’t wish to explain ). It still plays but doesn’t have the same sound it used to so after many soulful months of not playing , I ordered my ‘dream’ instrument which is a custom model.
My biggest mistake is second guessing myself after reading all the different opinions on here. While I discovered some very valuable information, I also encountered biased opinions which perhaps confused me. Perhaps I had opinion overload which I take full responsibility for since I’m the one reading.
Note: I do hold my soprano straight out for many reasons.
1/. The mouthpiece fits in my mouth in the proper angle
2/. It opens up my throat so much more for proper airflow
3/. I can hear myself much better so can play in key easier
4/. It takes a lot of the downwards pressure off the right thumb.
Unfortunately playing this way still hurts AND spit doesn’t quite flow out of the instrument very well.
To make a long story even longer, I ordered the Lagan Wrist Saver, a soprano saxophone with a curved neck and I have a super comfy alto neck strap that offers more length if needed. In my humble opinion, I think this combination will work to help bring back the joy I used to have of playing.
Conclusion: I’m super happy for the help I’ve received and the decisions I’ve made due to it.
So thank you once again. The visit here was well worth the time invested.
