Thoughts on the rocking thumbrest?

[superbaguy]

I was curious what those of you who have tried it think of the rocking lefthand thumbrest for the octave key? It looks like a good idea in theory. My left hand isn't fond of some of the more modern thumbrest sizes and placements.

Thanks & best wishes,
Steve

[superbaguy]

Anybody? Anybody with an SML have an opinion about the swiveling thumbrest for the octave key? Does it really help?

[mnash]

I can't offer any direct experience with the rocking thumbrest, but I've got a Rev D tenor that has had the original thumbrest replaced with a simple pearl-capped post. I've seen a Gold Medal recently that had the same thing done. This may suggest that the previous owners either broke them off and had them repaired (seems unlikely), or didn't like them and had them replaced.

I've got a King Marigaux tenor that has the original thumbrest, it's the same shape as the rocking thumbrest from what I've seen in pictures, but it doesn't swivel, it's fixed in place. I find it damned uncomfortable, and my left thumb is usually pretty sore after playing for awhile. But, the sound is more than worth putting up with a little thumb pain!

[JMac]

I finally made the appointment to take my 'Rev. D' in for the work needed to make it playable. It has the rocking thumb rest (actually has 21 of the 22 features - no bell rim engraving).

It may be nice for a player if the fulcrum of the rocker is positioned in precisely the place where you rest your thumb -AND your thumb size / angle is sufficient that it still reaches the octave key. I don't think that covers the majority of players. I found it awkward and will probably disable the feature - but (for now) not replace it with an aftermarket thumb rest. I will probably try to 'jam it' in the half-swiveled position so it will be more comfortable than mnash's King Marigaux - which I am assuming is fixed in the fully level position.

I'll need some serious playing time with it before deciding on any permanent changes :D . It will be a couple of weeks before I get it back....

[danodownunder]

I have done some serious mods to the left hand of my rev D tenor and it is awesome now, first i lengthened the octave lever and removed the rocking thumb rest and built a new one positioned for my thumb to the left of the repositioned lever and this droped my left hand and brought it into position better for the palm keys, then still wasn't happy with the pinky keys so i turned them all out so they pointed at the centre of the bell like a buescher, you can twist them on their brass rods but as they are on different posts the move apart so the you have to get your duck billed pliers and re bend them to be close and now it feels like my selmer in the left hand, took some thought and confidence in how to work the repairs and it is custom built for my hands i can supply photos if any one wants them.......peace

[hornimus]

I just snared my first SML horn, a King Marigaux tenor, 23xxx. It has all the SML features except the rolled toneholes. The rocking thumbrest just seems positioned a bit high for me, not sure I'll adjust to it or not.

[danodownunder]

Its easy to lower . do you mean height above the barrel of the horn or to far north. i found it too far north and any competent repair tech can move it south and lengthen the lever to meet it. Takes me about an hour and i do heaps .....it brings the palm keys into a better position also and makes it easyier to reach the left hand pinky keys .....oh and i rotated them out towards my hand and bingo perfection

[hornimus]

Height of the thumbrest itself out from the body proper. I might try some mods, but for now I think I'll just wait a few days and see if I adapt to it as it is.

[hornimus]

Its easy to lower . do you mean height above the barrel of the horn or to far north. i found it too far north and ........

Actually, though it didn't feel north to me, after reading your post I decided to have a closer look. And well, it "appeared" somewhat north until I held the horn up for comparison with an Antigua Mark VI clone (an old A550...). It's not that the thumbrest or octave lever is north (in fact, it is almost in the same location as on the Antigua) but that the SML's side-C keycup is slightly south and relatively smaller in diameter......

Still haven't gotten used to the "rocking" feature, though.....

[JMac]

Just as an update - after a couple weeks of inadvertenly activating the octave key, I have finally gotten used to the rocking thumbrest and wish it was on my other instruments. I am also very impressed at the overall ergonomics of this horn. The pinky cluster has a great feel, even though it is not 'modern'.

The tone- to die for. I will never have selmer-envy. Unfortunately, now I keep brosing for SML tenors, sopranos, and low A baritones. Anyone looking to unload theirs??? Anyone... Bueller?