frivolous question about left handed bell keys

[BATMAN]

OK, here's the problem....my 30M keeps jacking up my clothes! Anyone have a simple solution to keeping my clothes safee from the wrath of the left side bell keys? It's frustrating to see an $80 silk shirt have frayed threads after a gig (thankfully, Marshall Field's has a return policy, lol) :)

But on a slightly more serious note, sometimes the guard gets caught on my shirt or pants, making for those big band transitions from section to solo work very annoying, as well as distracting. Not to mention, getting your shirt caught on the bell keys makes for one embarrasing situation when you try to play below low C.....

So....let's hear it!

[Hornlip]

Frivolous answer:

Play with the horn on your left side!! :lol:

[paulwl]

You may just have a burr on a screw or part someplace. I've had these snag clothes before. You can probably find it by feeling around. Then get a fine file and grind off the burr.

If it's just the guard itself that's getting in your way, you could tie a nice looking piece of velour or velvet to the guard. It drapes down between you and the horn and makes a nice-looking accessory.

[BATMAN]

Frivolous answer:

Play with the horn on your left side!!

well, I wonder how that would work out. I can always play it Lester style....

[Bootman]

I have the same problem with a Magna Baritone, it has destroyed two pairs of trousers already. Try Duct tape, it is the universal musician problem solving utility, shoes, cars etc...... Duct tape does the job.

[gary]

Play with the horn on your left side!! :lol: LOL!

Or...play in your skivvies. But don't forget the bow tie.

[paulwl]

I have the same problem with a Magna Baritone, it has destroyed two pairs of trousers already. Try Duct tape, it is the universal musician problem solving utility, shoes, cars etc...... Duct tape does the job.

With black electrician's tape, you can even convert a dark suit to a "field tuxedo" in just minutes. It's not pretty, but it does the job (not for repeated wearings of course...)

[stitch]

Hey Batman - why not cover it with your cape? Or surely there's gotta be something in your utility belt :lol:

[BATMAN]

Hey Batman - why not cover it with your cape? Or surely there's gotta be something in your utility belt

my cape would probably get caught on the bell keys as well....

:wink:

[MusicMedic]

Well, I dare show this for fear that I will be stoned to death by the Buescher Crowd (of which I am a willing participant!) but, here it is. I had a friend and client complaining about the Eb guard on his Buescher Aristocrat. He came up with a solution and we implemented it...

http://www.musicmedic.com/greenbuescher/eflatguard.jpg

[Bootman]

Why not get a Bat-pants-protector, available from ACME. Tell the Coyote we sent ya! :lol:

[Hornlip]

Well, I dare show this for fear that I will be stoned to death by the Buescher Crowd (of which I am a willing participant!) but, here it is. I had a friend and client complaining about the Eb guard on his Buescher Aristocrat. He came up with a solution and we implemented it...

[Hornlip]

Well, I dare show this for fear that I will be stoned to death by the Buescher Crowd (of which I am a willing participant!) but, here it is. I had a friend and client complaining about the Eb guard on his Buescher Aristocrat. He came up with a solution and we implemented it...

Whups!! :oops:

What I meant to say was, nice fix, MM. I, for one, am not an original-condition absolutist, so long as the alteration doesn't fundamentally futz with the instrument's sonics, playing characteristics, or ends up uglifying it. (Of course, if it's already ugly, sounds awful, etc., the depravity should only be limited by your imagination. . . . :twisted: )

For instance, I love my Aristocrat tenor, but it would be nice if instead of the one-piece long-lever type side B-flat key, it had the more stable two-piece design as employed in the 'Crat's side-C, and the side Bflat on 30's Conns & Selmers, and Buescher's 400 series in the 40's. I found myself wondering if the side Bflat on my horn could reasonably be converted into the two-piece type, and if so that it might be a good idea to do it.

[DD]

Wear those clothes which were extremely fashionable in Spain - ARMOR!
They don't get caught, they don't wrinkle (unless struck directly) and can also serve as a weather-dependent thermal container for the occasional beverage. They do, however, like some Yamaha horns, tend to corroce around the seams. :wink:

[MusicMedic]

Hornlip,
I have added those key guides (like the one that is near the pad cup on the Bb key) to the other side of the fulcrum. This is especially helpful on The Buescher Baritone Sax's where that Side Bb key is a very long.

This made the action on the Side Bb much more smooth with little or no side-to-side play. Maybe a fix like that would satisfy you and not be too intrusive.

[Hornlip]

Hornlip,
I have added those key guides (like the one that is near the pad cup on the Bb key) to the other side of the fulcrum. This is especially helpful on The Buescher Baritone Sax's where that Side Bb key is a very long.

Hmm. Good idea. Simpler is better!!