Faulty saxxy stand?

[Kimsey]

I have just purchased an alto saxxy stand from ebay (Scimonetti's) and when I look at it I can tell that one of the metal posts that holds the rubber bell sling is about 1cm longer than the other one.(measured with rubber stoppers removed). This means that it tends to support the bell asymetrically and is not very stable. I already have a tenor saxxy stand and on that the two bell supporting posts are of equal length and the stand works great.
I have tried to contact the seller but so far no response so I am wondering if the stand is meant to be like this or not?

[Grumps]

When my alto stand is set up, and you're looking down at it as if to put the horn in it, the post on the left side is a bit taller than the one on the right. It's part of the design. What you want to do is line up the rubber strap so that the bow/bell band rests on the the two knobs on the bottom.

I believe they make one specifically fitted for Yamaha altos. Is your horn a Yamaha?

[Kimsey]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my query. Yes I have a yas 61 and the asymetric posts seem to accentuate the tendency for the horn to swivel and fall off. I didn't know I needed to get a specific model for a Yamaha alto as the tenor model I got is fine with my Yamaha tenor but as I mentioned before on the tenor version both of the supporting posts are the same length.
Well it looks like it's my fault and not the trader so I'll have to try and sell it and get the right model!

[gary]

When you say saxxy stand is that the compact, foldable stand that fits into the bell of your sax, made my K&M? If so, I have an alto stand: just looked at it and measured it and the length difference between the two supporting legs is less than .5 cm, FWIW.

[Kimsey]

Yes that's the stand, I think the difference is about 0.5 cm but that is enough to stop the bell lip sitting on it properly. I have just revisited the sellers ad and they claim it is suitable for most makes of alto including yamaha so I am going to try for a refund based on the fact that K&M do make an stand specifically for yamaha's (so I'm assuming they beleive the normal one I have got is not suitable?).

[gary]

Kimsey, I can't see what you're doing, so I might be giving you info you can't use but...unlike many sax stands whose supporting section fits the bell rim, the little supporting arms on the saxxy are meant to wedge into the bell on its body, below the rim. In that case, the difference in length is not relevant.

That is, the bell rim is not supposed to be touching the ends of the saxxy supporting arms, rather the body of the bell is wedged between the supporting between. What's important is that the little piece towards the bottom of the stand is resting against the lower bell part.

I wouldn't be surprised if the stand is workable but just that you are trying to have it support your sax in a conventional manner and the saxxy doesn't do that.

[Grumps]

Yeah, I just noticed the new Saxxy for alto Yamahas in the latest WWBW catalog. Here's how my TT fits in mine:

[Kimsey]

The buescher fits like my tenor fits in the tenor version, but with my alto the support posts do not spread far enough apart to adequately hold the bell (are yamaha bells a different shape to other altos?), this means that the posts are quite far forward on the bell and the sax can easily swivel and fall with the lightest touch.
Trader has agreed to accept return and refund so thats good.

[gary]

Kimsey - didn't you get an instruction sheet like this: http://www.k-m.de/D/files/14345.pdf with your stand (except in English)?

If you didn't, maybe a little googling will turn one up or maybe someone on the forum who has one can scan/file and post it here for you.

BTW, nothing like going to the source. The K&M site shows that there is a standard alto stand and one specifically for Yamahas, as well as having this instruction sheet (albeit in German).

[singlereed]

Its made with unequal length arms becuase saxophones are not symmetrical! They make a different model for Yamaha saxes for some reason, but AFAIK, the bell on any normal alto or tenor is definitely not in exactly the same plane as the body and bow. It is designed to project forwards when properly hung from a sling. And the Saxxy stand takes this into account.

[crawford1206]

Snip....

That is, the bell rim is not supposed to be touching the ends of the saxxy supporting arms, rather the body of the bell is wedged between the supporting between. What's important is that the little piece towards the bottom of the stand is resting against the lower bell part......


Hi, I'm not sure sure if the above is correct. I have just received a saxxy stand for an alto, so forgive me if I am rash in my comments. The sax is on the stand now and it seems well supported. According to the instrcutions "the lower part of the instrument rests on two rubberised supports. Adjust the cord so that the supports contact the reinforcement ring of the instrument".

I have cheked mine, it is supported and not wedged into the supports. Hope this helps.

[Logan175]

should I take mine back? I have one and I am playing a Cannonball big bell stone series, and as you know the bell is much bigger I dont know if it is sitting in there right.

[Grumps]

It's holding the horn, isn't it Logan? Looks fine to me.

Revisiting this thread, I did have a problem with my tenor stand at one gig. The peg holding the prongs together slipped out while I was putting it together and I had to fit it back in on the spot at a gig. Since then, I threw my old tenor stand in the back of my truck in case I needed it in an emergency, but the Saxxy has been holding up fine since I worked the pin back in there. I just take more care when putting it together.