Hello Michael. Have enjoyed reading your posts when I have seen them. I've had my King Saxello only about a year and a half now, but I find it an ever so charming and challenging little beastie. Finally decided I could not go through life without availing myself at having a go at one of these. They really have a tone so recognizable and different than any other soprano out there, don't they? Probably not ideal for playing Bach etudes, haha....and, as you say, the scale is a bit on the patchy side, but can be brought into good pitch with a bit of lipping.....ah, but the sound that comes out has been inspiring for me. Loved your reference to the agricultural ergs. Funny.....am assuming you are meaning 'pre-industrial'. You must admit, though, the simplicity of the mechs no doubt contributes to its light weight, and along with the shape, the comfort in holding and playing.
Am a bit surprised the thumb hook doesn't work for you. Perhaps because I'm use to playing with my right hand fingers not so arched, more flat fingered really, I find the small thumb hook probably the most comfortable of any sax I have played. With the saxello's light weight and the hook being angled just right for me, I feel almost no pressure on my slightly arthritic thumb joint. I actually tried your technique of placing my thumb just above the hook, and although it could work for me it does raise the angle of my fingers to a degree I would have to get rather large extensions on the right hand palm keys even to play these. I already have the left hand palms significantly built up. But we're all built differently. I'll be curious to hear how it works out for you, should you make this change.
BTW, I really do like Benny Maupin on select recordings, for instance 'Butterfly', but find him in a bit too much of funk setting for me on many others. You're right, he has great command of intonation and a fluid sound. My own preference in saxello players, though, still has to be Elton Dean and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
Was a real fan back in the day of early '70's 'Soft Machine' and recently have been exploring Dean's later recordings in a wide array of settings. I discovered just last week, on youtube, his wonderful piece with his group Ninesence, 'Seven for Lee' ........probably you are familiar with, but I include to bring attention to any others who might read this thread, this under recognized, yet, I think, seminal figure in the progressive jazz/rock and free jazz scene. A driving and quite melodic 4 minute improv. starting at around the 1:10 min mark. The whole piece is killer though, and I've been listening to it daily this past week, as inspiration for what can be accomplished on the admittedly rather primitive, but ever so charming instrument......ye old fish-horn.
Cheers,
'museman' (Janusz)