SAX MARK VI – TENOR - ASSEMBLY

F# / G#/ and Bb BRIDGE keys – most important Keys

A) The 3 keys above are the F# / G# and Bis Bb keys. These 3 keys are the most important on any
saxophone as the from the link between the UPPER STACK (LEFT HAND – C#-B-A) and LOWER
STACK1 (RIGHT HAND – F-E-D ) keys.
This single assembly makes it possible for the multiple fingerings for the Bb and allows the G#
key to be articulated.
This assembly is so important that any leaks here will have a profound effect on the rest of the
instrument.

B) Once the BRIDGE keys ( F# - G# - Bb bis ) are regulated, add the rest of LOWER stack( F –
E – D) keys. These are regulated with cork to insure the pads seat at the same time
as the 3 bridge keys.

C) BELL KEYS – 3 LOWER KEYS: LOW C#, B, and Bb ( 4 peças)

. após LOWER STACK (F – E – D) estarem montadas e ajustadas,
. Adicione as 3 LOWER BELL KEYS LOW C# - B - and Bb
. KEY MUSIC B – Bb devem ser reguladas para fechar perfeitamente usando
apenas a Alavanca Bb
.C# Key é montada e assentada, porém, a regulagem será feita posteriormente quando
G# Keys for adicionada.

D) RIGHT HAND AUXILIARY Keys: – LOW C – Eb - Aux F# - Side C - Bb keys

.This SAX has HIGH F#, consist of 2 Pieces:
- TOUCH PIECE
- PAD KEYS ( installed later )
This Keys work independent and DO NOT RECQUIRE REGULATIONS, just Key HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENTS

E) KEY GUARDS ( 4 peças)

.after installed, KEY HEIGHTS and FELTS will be ADJUSTED for Final Tuning.

1
STACK – sistema; mesa. complexo
F) UPPER STACKS – C# - B – A Keys are the Heart of the LEFT HAND. (6 peças)
.the Smallest Key C# is the OFTEN OVERLOOKED2 Key (it´s closed by B and A Keys
and must be Finally Regulated to ensure it CLOSES completely.

G) LEFT HAND PALM KEYS

.now Assemble the rest of the UPPER STACK:
.Bb bis, regulate to ensure the A and Bb bis close simultaneously. This is a common
problem and usually is the FIRST THING TO CHECK.
.AUXILIARY F KEY with it’s Rocker is also INSTALLED AT THIS TIME.

H) OCTAVE KEYS (5 peças)

.OCTAVE Key is now installed and regulated. This can be a very Trick System. A slight
movement of OCTAVE Key is amplified by the ROCKER ARM to determine if the Neck or
the SIDE OCTAVE Key opens.
.Requires careful regulation and silencing of the Mechanism.

I) LONG KEYS – HIGH F – HIGH F# - G

.Long Keys are the Final to be installed
. HIGH F – G are the Final 2 Keys to be placed back on the Horn

J) NECK AND OCTAVE KEY

.Fairly straight forward Assembly

K) THUMB HOOK AND ROD GUARD

.The Rod Guard was only used on MARK VI with HIGH F# Key. As these Rod are Long and
required to be fairly High off the Body, the potencial for damage is significant. This Rod
works to prevent it the horn gets a bump at the wrong place.

F# / G#/ and Bb BRIDGE keys

The F# / G# and Bis Bb keys. These 3 keys are the most important on any saxophone as the from
the link between the UPPER STACK (LEFT HAND – C#-B-A) and LOWER STACK (RIGHT HAND – F-E-D
) keys. This single assembly makes it possible for the multiple fingerings for the Bb and allows the
G# key to be articulated. This assembly is so important that any leaks here will have a profound
effect on the rest of the instrument.

2
Overlooked - negligenciado
 LOWER STACK KEYS

Once the bridge keys are regulated it’s time to add the rest of the lower stack. The F, E and D keys.
These are regulated with cork to insure the pads seat at the same time as the 3 bridge keys.

BELL KEYS LOW C#, B, AND Bb

Once the Lower stack is assembled and properly regulated it’s time to add the 3 lower bell keys.
The B and Bb keys music be regulated to close perfectly using just the Bb lever. The C# is
assembled and seated, but regulation will come later3 when the G# key is added.

RIGHT HAND AUX KEYS

The 4th part of the reassembly is the right hand auxiliary keys. These consist of the low C, Eb, Aux
F#, and the side C and Bb keys. This sax has a high F# and that key consist of 2 pieces. the touch
piece will be installed now, the pad key will be installed later. These keys work independent and do
not require much regulation other than key height adjustments.

KEY GUARDS

The key guards are now installed. Key heights and felts will be adjusted for final tuning.

UPPER STACK C#, B, AND A KEYS

These 3 keys are the HEART of the UPPER STACK (LEFT HAND) the SMALL KEY AT THE
TOP is the often over looked4 C# key. This key serves the same purpose as the F# key on the lower
stack. It is closed by the B and A keys and must be finely regulated to insure it closes completely.

COMPLETE UPPER STACK (LEFT HAND KEYS )

Now we get to assemble the rest of the upper stack. The bis Bb is shared in this assembly as it
was removed to ensure their were no leaks in the upper stack. It is now being regulated to
insure the A and the bis Bb close simultaneously. This is a common problem
when saxes come in to the shop and usually the first thing I check. The aux high F
key with it’s rocker is also installed at this time.

3
Will come later – acontecerá posteriormente
4
Overlooked - negligenciado
 LEFT HAND PALM KEYS

The Left hand palm keys are installed and key heights adjusted and regulated with the
high F rocker.

OCTAVE KEY

The octave key mechanism is now installed and regulated. This can be a very tricky system.
The slight movement of the octave key is amplified by the rocker arm to determine if the neck
or the side octave key opens. This requires careful regulation and silencing of the
mechanism.

LONG KEYS HIGH F, HIGH F# AND G

These long keys are the final to be installed. The key on the far left is the high F# key pad.
It’s touch piece was installed earlier. The high F and G key are the final 2 keys to be placed
back on the horn. At this point there is only 2 small steps to complete assembly.

Neck and octave key

The neck and it’s octave key is next. Farily straight forward assembly.

Thumb hook and rod guard.

The final to pieces to be added to the body are the thumb hook and the rod guard. The rod guard
was only used on Mark VI’s with the high F# key. As these rod are long and required to be fairly high
off the body, the potential for damage is significant. This rod works to prevent if the horn gets a
bump at the wrong place.

THE ‘G’ KEY IS ALWAYS THE FIRST TO BE REMOVED AND THE LAST TO BE PUT BACK.

When G THE FIRST KEY IS OFF THE HORN. THE RESTORATION HAS BEGUN.

With the remainder of the UPPER STACK (LEFT HAND KEYS) removed.