Thumbrest on YAS 52

[saxologist]

Bought used YAS52 pretty nice shape, I notice that the Thumbrest is fixed and simple brass without adjustment. The Yamaha archives and ebay 52's have adjustable thumbrests. Any thought why mine is different? Can I add thumbrest pad or modify if needed?

[Dave Dolson]

Saxologist: If the fixed brass thumb rest is uncomforatble, you may buy a piece of clear plastic tubing from a hardware store, cut it to fit, and slip it over the thumb rest to provide more cushion.

I have seen after-market thumb rests/rings added to saxophones. A competent repair-tech should be able to do it.

As to why some 52's may have an adjustable thumb rest and others don't - who knows? I have seen many design changes made over a model's manufacturing run. Maybe yours is one of those that preceeded the adjustable models. DAVE

[saxologist]

many thanks

[saxologist]

I had some high grade (Medical)tubing caps I am in the medical community.) in many cool colors mine is royal blue. I pushed it on the thumbrest and it is awesome and cool looking and extremely secure! Very professional looking. Maybe I will sell these to SOTW members for moding there horns with colorful accents. Send me email and I will will send you a pic and sizes I can get. Much better than what I have seen out there on the web.

[russps]

older YxS52s had fixed thumb hooks, just like older YxS23s and the current Yamaha made Vitos. If you wanted, your tech could install a Yamaha adjustable thumb hook. It would involve soldering on a new base to the instrument.

Russ

[saxologist]

Thanks. I just saw one just like mine and USA Horn NJ. Must be the older horns as you said. The thing is made very well and has nice tone. Are the new ones made more cheaply?

[russps]

They don't make the 52 tenor and alto anymore, they got replaced with the 475. They made a few nice design changes (neck from the old 62, 62-style neck receiver, "normal" bell key guards on alto, gold lacquer). The 52s are good, the 475s I feel are a little better.

Russ