new Keilwerth SX90 -- low C# key not working!

[Giganova]

hi --

while I was recently in Germany I bought a new Keilwerth SX90 which was shipped directly from the factory. The horn sounds awesome! However, just after I came back to the US I noticed that the lower C# doesn't work!!! If I press the lower C# key, NOTHING happens and the horn still plays the C. The mechanics is doing something when I press the lower C# key, but no keyhole is closed or opened (don't know what tone hole is supposed to be closed or opened, though).

What can I do?? I live in central PA and there's no shop within 4hrs of driving where I could get the horn checked. Any idea?? Can any of you SX90 owners tell me what should happen if I press the lower C# key?

Thanxxx!

[max]

Sounds like the pad is just stuck. Starting at the bell, count down three and lift that pad with your fingers.

[Giganova]

you saved me, max!! The pad wasn't stuck, but the spring that opens that tonehole was out of place. Thanks a lot!

[Tears June]

Not only Keilwerth, but many other brand has this problem (especially soprano) - the flat spring for the low C# is out of groove. How to avoid this problem?

:cry:

[Dr G]

What's the problem? If you see that a spring has loosened and moved, remove the key, reposition the spring, and tightened the screw. It happens. It can be fixed. :wink:

[Randall]

On the chronic C# key...Despite the spring fix, I advise that you replace the pad with a higher quality French Chanu pad if you can get one.
The JK pads are notoriously bad for sticking and the low C# key has been a problem for many of my JK playing friends and myself included.
Stephan Boesken, who was an apprentice at Keilwerth and now owns his own shop and specializes in JK's, has often lamented about the sticky pads on JK's...he should know...

[mostly alto guy]

Yes, Stephan is less than gassed about the current JK pads. When he padded my S1, he used modern Buffet pads. They don't stick anywhere near as bad as JK pads. Funny how new Buffets are finished in the same factory as JKs but are given utterly different pads.

Now Stephan is making his own pads right in his shop. I haven't spoken with him since he began this endeavor, but if I know Stephan's work (and I do), they'll be wonderful pads.

[singlereed]

I am pleased to say that one year on, at last the pads on my Anniversary alto no longer stick. It was a total pain for the first few months. I have kept them clean and store the case on its edge, so any moisture drains away from most of the tone holes. I have also reduced the tension in most of the springs and now it plays a whole lot easier. The C# can be very stiff, I think you'll find it is operating three springs, the mechanism is a bit complicated on that key, and I must get my technician to look at it when I get round to it.

[Giganova]

I agree that the JK pads are very sticky! I heard that the rolled toned holes of the "R" model are even worse. Maybe I should get new pads. How can this Stephan guy be reached? Is he in the US?