[JohnInDenver]

I bought a YTS21 (Vito stencil) as a "bar horn" and it's a lot of fun to play. But it seems to me the strap hook is offset a little to the left of where I'd expect it to be, and the horn hangs a little side-ways (I know, personal problem) and the bell doesn't point forward when playing standing up. I uploaded two pictures (below). If you can see the pics you'll be able to see the strap hook lines up with the left-hand thumb rest but it's well to the left of the line of the right-hand thumb hook.

Anyone who has a YTS21, can you please let me know if this strap hook location is the same on yours? (I'm wondering if this is how it came from the factory or maybe it got moved at some point.)

Thanks!

 

[johnebravo]

For what it's worth, on my Vito/Yamaha alto (probably a slightly later YAS23 stencil) the thumb rest appears to be in the exact same location as yours.

 

[soybean]

Have your tech move the strap hook to a comfortable place for you. This is a very easy repair/adjustment. You could also upgrade to an adjustable strap hook. These are great for tenor: https://musicmedic.com/products/accessories/musicmedic-comfort-thumb-hook.html

 

[Trav1s]

It is a bit different than my YTS-21

 

[JohnInDenver]

It is a bit different than my YTS-21

View attachment 249178

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View attachment 249182

Yes indeed, yours is more in the neighborhood of where I'd expect it to be. I'm beginning to suspect this one may have been moved at some point in its long and busy life. I may take soybean's advice and have it moved back. Thanks for the pics!

 

[milandro]

if it was move there would be burning marks on the lacquer ( so most probably it wasn’t) cause by the intense heat to solder off and on the hook

 

[Dr G]

Yes indeed, yours is more in the neighborhood of where I'd expect it to be. I'm beginning to suspect this one may have been moved at some point in its long and busy life. I may take soybean's advice and have it moved back. Thanks for the pics!

More to the point: How's it hang? Don't worry about where the bell points. Does the horn hang in such a way that your hands are in a comfortable position (pay attention to your wrists)? Rotate the neck in the socket 'til you find the optimum placement, then look at whether the strap ring is in the right place.

 

[turf3]

It would be a quick and inexpensive thing to move it to the right.

 

[JohnInDenver]

if it was move there would be burning marks on the lacquer ( so most probably it wasn't) cause by the intense heat to solder off and on the hook

Good point. I don't see burn marks, but I do see 40+ years of scratch-marks on this old war-horse...including "JL was here" scratched on the inside of the bell!

 

[JohnInDenver]

More to the point: How's it hang? Don't worry about where the bell points. Does the horn hang in such a way that your hands are in a comfortable position (pay attention to your wrists)? Rotate the neck in the socket 'til you find the optimum placement, then look at whether the strap ring is in the right place.

Honestly, it hangs like the strap hook is too far to the left. I find that I rotate the neck a little to the right, then use the leverage of the neck to rotate the entire instrument to where it's more comfortable. I notice it most when using a microphone...the bell points so hard to the left I keep missing the mic. Maybe it's better for a band student who plays sitting down...

 

[turf3]

Sounds and looks like a minor manufacturing defect.

 

[Trav1s]

Glad the pics worked for you. I know my horn has lived a charmed life for a student horn and never suffered the abuse of beginning or marching band.

 

[Dermot]

Sounds and looks like a minor manufacturing defect.

+1
I have the same horn as you but the hook is in the same place as Trav1s

 

[JohnInDenver]

+1
I have the same horn as you but the hook is in the same place as Trav1s

I'm convinced...this strap hook must be moved. Thanks much!

 

[Arundo Donax]

This is my 1971 Yamaha YTS-21. You can see the octave key thumbrest is in line with the strap-hook eyelet, but both are to the left of the right-hand thumbrest.

This hasn't been a cause of concern for me.

This sax was a former school rental sax when I bought it 12 years ago, hence its condition.

 

[JohnInDenver]

This is my 1971 Yamaha YTS-21. You can see the octave key thumbrest is in line with the strap-hook eyelet, but both are to the left of the right-hand thumbrest.

This hasn't been a cause of concern for me.

This sax was a former school rental sax when I bought it 12 years ago, hence its condition.

Your picture looks like my sax...in more ways than one! This has been quite interesting...I guess there was more variation in the placement of the strap ring (intentional or otherwise) than I would have imagined. Thanks!

 

[sopsax]

I too have questions about optimal strap ring placement, & can't quite wrap my head around the physics. Are there any general guidelines -- such as "if the bell tends to rotate too far in x direction, reposition the strap ring toward y direction"? Or a way to determine the optimal vertical pivot/balance point so the horn feels balanced & the mouthpiece is neither out of reach nor stabbing you in the face? I feel as if I need to see the options diagrammed in 3-D; prior verbal descriptions have left me confused. Would appreciate guidance from anybody savvy. Thanks in advance.

 

[Trav1s]

I wonder if the placement is related to a production period - with earlier horns showing the placement of the original poster and later horns like mine.

 

[Dermot]

The horn I have is a Vito YTS21 serial 0132//
I bought in the UK several months back.

 

[Trav1s]

Mine is earlier than that but I forget the serial.