Lengthening the Shank?

[Martinman]

I did an extensive search and found nothing, so here we go.

My situation is - My Dukoff Super Power Chamber (tenor) must be put on the very end of the neck, with less than half an inch on the cork. It is very loose, rocks back and forth, etc., and if I had my tech put more cork on, I would not be able fit my C** on. I have tried tape and paper, but I can get the piece on as tight as I possible, and it still rocks back and forth.

Is there any inexpensive way to lengthen a shank, or is there something else I can do to fix the rocking? I am pretty sure that the mouthpiece gets moved when I play, thus disrupting my airflow.

Thanks a lot.

[whaler]

I just wrap some of that plumber's teflon tape (PTFE thread seal tape) around the neck cork. It is pretty easy to work with and the mouthpiece slides on better than paper or tape. Maybe you're biting down too hard if you only have half on inch of mouthpiece on the neck. That seems a little extreme for a mouthpiece with such a long shank.

[Martinman]

As I said before, I already tried tape and paper and does not work. The problem is not enough shank on the neck, it could be really really tight and still rock back and forth. It's not that I am biting down to hard, the intonation problem arises because I play a vintage Martin with a Dukoff...High baffle/non-large chamber on a vintage horn. The sound is killer, but it plays sharp unless I pull out this much. Plus, my shank does not seem that long.

I talked to my tech today, and he said that he would recomend having him extend the neck by saudering some more tubing on the neck by where the mouthpiece goes on. Are there any negative side effects to doing this besides the $50 out of my pocket?

[Grumps]

I had an issue with a horn where I considered altering the neck, but instead held out for a workable mouthpiece with a longer shank. At least with lengthening, you can always undo it, but it might mess things up with the C**, as well as your overall general tuning. I'd say find another Dukoff piece you can experiment with and have one of the mouthpiece craftsmen here add some shank to it. That way the only risk is to a mouthpiece you're not yet attached to.

[EZ]

Taking some out of the back end of the baffle/throat area may help by increasing the internal volume of the mouthpiece, though it could affect the sound some.

[sharp5]

I can't believe this didn't go south fast.

[Martinman]

Well, the problem with experimenting on another mouthpiece is, I don't have the cash for it. There was something I was gonna try with pvc pipe, and that won't hurt the mouthpiece.

I don't want to remove anything from the inside of my mouthpiece, I like the sound the way it is.

Thanks for all the advice

[Carl H.]

If money is an issue, I'd say put the piece away and try another. I had a similar issue with a mouthpiece on my alto, I loved the sound but couldn't pull out far enough. Rather than mess with the horn or mouthpiece, I sold the piece to a friend and tried different pieces. I finally found the sound without having to alter my equipment (not counting refacing).

[Martinman]

If money is an issue, I'd say put the piece away and try another. I had a similar issue with a mouthpiece on my alto, I loved the sound but couldn't pull out far enough. Rather than mess with the horn or mouthpiece, I sold the piece to a friend and tried different pieces. I finally found the sound without having to alter my equipment (not counting refacing).


Thats the problem. Nothing sounds like this Dukoff, even other Dukoffs. It looks like crap, but it is a monster player. I wouldn't mind trying like, a Guardala MMII, Studio, King, Super King, etc, but I don't have $$$ to spend on a mouthpiece, hence the cheapo Dukoff. Also, any high baffle piece will have this problem, I need like, a New York Link or something, but that does not have the sound I am looking for...

Actually, I do have the money, but my parents will complain if I spend a lot of money of more sax stuff. I am still working on the pvc pipe thing. I think it will work if I can find the right diameter of pipe....

[MojoBari]

Do you know any machinists who might do you a favor? He could machine you a custom extension out of a 1" dia brass rod. One end would be bored to the OD and length of your MP shank. Something like .768" x 1.24" deep. The other end bored through at the ID of your MP. Like .667". If you want 1/2" more shank length, make it 1.24" + .5" = 1.74" long. The OD could be turned down some if you think 1" looks too fat. Silicone it in place. I do not know how much they would charge for this.

[Martinman]

Do you know any machinists who might do you a favor? He could machine you a custom extension out of a 1" dia brass rod. One end would be bored to the OD and length of your MP shank. Something like .768" x 1.24" deep. The other end bored through at the ID of your MP. Like .667". If you want 1/2" more shank length, make it 1.24" + .5" = 1.74" long. The OD could be turned down some if you think 1" looks too fat. Silicone it in place. I do not know how much they would charge for this.

Thanks Mojo

This is sort of what I did, only I used pvc pipe. It seems to work ok, I sanded down my cork to make the pvc fit, and I took too much off, but once I get my cork fixed I think it will work. It looks really reall stupid though, but whatever works....

[shotgun]

Bumping this one:

I think I read a recent post where someone mentioned a mouthpiece expert who did this, i.e. machined an extension which lengthened the shank enough to sit more securely on the cork. Anyone know of a mouthpiece guy who might do this? The Reglein I use on my 62 not only plays sharp, the shank is very thin and could use some beefing up.

Also, if someone has a mouthpiece which plays too sharp unless pulled out to the max, here's something that I've done. I take an O-ring or two of the right size and fit them on the neck tenon, flattening the tone and allowing me to push the mouthpiece on a bit more securely.

[super20dan]

will grizzle in atlanta makes great shank extencions for mpcs

[Martinman]

Well, for some reason I play somewhat flatter now, so I no longer need the neck extension, not that I even use my Dukoff much anymore.