Goodson alto arrived

[L1]

I must say that I have found all that has transpired since I got my Goodson alto a bit perplexing. I got mine about one week after I ordered it back in March, yet I guess many did not get theirs. I don't know how it was that I got one, with a very low serial number too. The horn has a good sound, but I really didn't get enough playing time on it to evaluate it fully. Unfortunately for me, I have not been able to play it as I injured my neck and can't have the weight of a sax on my neck. I hope I am able to sell the sax, as the neurosurgeons do not want to do surgery unless I start to develop paralysis(!), which I hope doesn't happen, but which also means that there isn't a lot of hope for improvement of my neck. I hope that the Unison problems are resolving and that more people are getting their horns.

[Phat Pat]

L1 there are special stands just for this perpose, might want to try them out before you sell your horn.

[Grumps]

Hmmm.... you get this new horn and then your neck goes out..... That sounds like a products liability case to me. Perhaps negligent design. You need a good plaintiff's attorney.

[L1]

I have been trying to find a playing stand that would allow me to play the alto. Seems they only make them for baris and basses. My neck has been slowly improving but it has been disappointing. The neurosurgeons say "live with it" and "change your lifestyle" (i.e. "don't do anything that you like to do"). I bet they wouldn't be so cavalier if everything they dearly loved was taken away from them!

[pfox]

L1, try this http://www.quodlibet.com./ I read about it in the bari section, but the stand will work with anything, and puts no weight on your neck at all. Maybe you can still do one thing you love. Then let us know if you like the SG Unison.

[Mango Birkie]

The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.
--Shakespeare, Henry IV

[Bill Mecca]

Have you tried a shoulder strap like the Spinstrap, or Walt Johnson's ?

You could also get a guitar strap, a jump ring and a spring hook to test it out.

I have used the spinstrap for years and would have a hard time going back to a trad neck strap.

[conrath]

I totally agree about the Spinstrap. I'll never go back to traditional neckstraps.

[JJ]

Sorry to hear L1.

Have you tried the Ligaphone harness strap? http://www.ligaphone.com/htm/anglais/strap-harness.htm

If you don't need the money from your saxophone right now, then keep it! You never know what tomorrow will bring. I had a break from for 10 years caused by lip problems and many surgereys. I almost gave up, but never sold my saxophones. I am now glad I didn't!

Best wishes
Jan

[Saxydude]

L1- If none of the above options work out for you and you have to sell your horn (I hope this doesn't happen), I might be interested in buying it. E-mail if you are still thinking about selling: Saxydude05@yahoo.com

[spiderjames]

A change in lifestyle might mean just switching to Soprano until your neck heals. A vintage horn with a thumb ring wouldn't need a neck strap and could be held at almost any angle necessary to accomodate your neck during healing. Juat don't do anything that's going to permanently risk your health and remember that doctors don't always know how your bodies going to heal and tend to give worse case senarios. Take care of yourself and there's always hope for a full recovery

[Mark R]

L1,
WWBW sell a Belmonte black aluminum tubular stand that is similar to the standard alto/tenor stand that can be raised to standing level . I have not tried to play using this stand but it would be possibly worth a try. around $40.

[Randall]

L1, That belmont stand works quite well if you stand and play...I have one and have used it on occasion for my alto. Depending on if you play with a band or not, the size of the stage, and the KLUTZ factor of your fellow band members will dictate whether or not you want to try it on stage.
If you don't mind standing and playing it is probably the easiest solution for you.

[Vortex]

I second the motion for getting a strap that doesn't exert neck pressure. And if that ends up not working out, maybe try sopranino?

[danidin]

L1,

I am using the slider shoulder strap. It completely relieves the pressure
on from neck.
You may get more details at http://www.slider-straps.com/STR/sax.html

Good luck,
Dan