Conn C-mel thumbhook

[mark_m]

The thumbhook on my 1924 straight-neck Conn C melody is distinctly smaller than that on my '30 alto (painfully so - I have big hands). I'm not sure whether someone had it bent tighter to fit a small thumb or it was made that way. Anyone else with same model, ??

[Media Lint]

1242xx

Mine is very small too now that I look at it. I never played it enough to notice it bothering me. Although the thumb hook on my built-like-a-tank tenor is very large by comparison and I have noticed that this large hook is more comfortable than the one on a yamaha tenor. I also chalk a lot of it up to placement and general ergonomics.

One reason I don't play the C-Mel is it needs work. It plays and has but one minor leak at the moment but it's very stiff. In fact, I had to replace the G# lever spring with a heavier one because as it was there was a good three second latency. I'm afraid lessening any tension would just completely wreck it. It's very uncomfortable all around to me. I oiled it up and did what I thought might help to little avail. Since I have a mild repetitive stress injury I can't put much time into that horn. It's fun sometimes, for a quick jam.

Also I'm still working out my issue with the mouthpiece/cork/reed ... what's your setup for THAT?

[mark_m]

I have a Runyon C-mel mouthpiece which works very well, I use Rico 2.5's or La Voz mediums or medium-softs. It's unplayable right now, it was fair, then I had some work done on it and it got a lot worse. Oh well. It's awaiting an $800. overhaul, believe it or not, scheduled to bring it in in a couple of weeks. Crazy, I know, but I love the horn and I know it will be an amazing instrument when it's done... Just need to find a good case for it.

[djonk]

Cover the thumb hook by stretching a piece of clear tygon tubing (1/16" wall thickness) or other similar soft material over the hook.

[mark_m]

Good news, took my C-Mel in for an overhaul; mentioned the thumbhook situation and my tech pulled it out to a perfect fit in about 10 seconds - problem solved!