One-Handed Saxophone Part II

When I left Winneconne, WI with the one-handed sax, there was still some work to be done. Brian had to finish the High E mechanism, which we had already fitted, but which needed some adjustments followed by buffing and lacquering. He also wrapped up the "dummy" key cups that cover the Low B and Bb tone holes (since we repurposed the arms and hinges from those keys to operate F#, F, and E), and manufactured the handle so the player, Eli, can stabilize the instrument with his right hand. Brian shipped all those parts to me upon completion, I installed them and made any necessary final tweaks to get everything fitting properly. Then I installed pads in the new F and E keys and set up the new mechanism so that everything was regulated with no slop or lost (excess) motion. Finally, I adjusted the angle of the handle (later I would shorten it as well, at the players request) and manufactured a thumb screw so that the handle could be installed on the stud that would normally hold the right hand thumb rest.
Playing the instrument felt surprisingly natural. Perhaps that was because I was pretty familiar with the mechanism from having studied and worked on it, but I expect anyone would be able to pick it up rather quickly. Eli said he'll have to work on strengthening his pinky to handle all those duties. I think he can do it.

The sax with just the lower stack and pinky keys installed

With everything installed, included the handle. The thumb screw that holds it to the instrument isn't visible in this pic. The High E mechanism is visible coming across form the High E key cup to the other palm keys.

Eli was thrilled to pick it up and get back to playing - it's been 5 years since he's played this sax!