Dear List:

I`ve been out for a few days, had too much work.

OnTuesday I had a new problem with my Gemeinhardt M2.

The 2nd trill stuck and would not close by spring force As you know, there is pratcically no sound with that hole open.

Of course it happened right in the middle my class, as It could be expected. However I could finish the class by keeping it closed with a small ball of paper under the trill key. Not elegant but effective.

Back at home I could not resist and I un-screwed a little the pivot on the axe (crown side). It "cured" the problem and has worked normally til now.

Now, how come this pivot can tighten itself? I had not touched it before. It just failed.

I know about the other problematic pivot on the B axe, that one gets loose and I could understand this. But the contrary?

Have you seen this problem your shop experience? Anything else I could do?

For now I have not oiled it or done nothing else.

As further advice, If you take the trill keys off completely (You have to loosen the right hand bank to do this though) they should pivot completely around fairly easily..If theres any binding, i`d be looking for a bend or a place where it has been hit. Then try oiling if there`s no defect.

~Bilbo
N.E. Ohio

I would have to say that both situations are valid Micron but rare.
With the keys off however, one can actually lubricate the keys more efficiently if they aren`t going to take this assembly apart.

I would have to say that the odds of this binding coming from one (or more) of three places are very high. They are either lubrication/dirt issues, a kink in the rod/tube or a bind from a dent in the C trill tube.

~Bilbo
N.E. Ohio

OK, thanks a lot!

I will check for rust or gumming first. I do not think that the body, or the shaft tube could be bent or dented. I use and care the instrument properly (IMO). After loosening the pivot just a little it has been operating fine but I do not trust it much...

This GHMT M2 does not seem to be a precision mechanism, but it is not bad and certainly is sturdy. I made some calculations and it is failing (though progressively) after some 500 hours of practise and has never been to the Techs' so far.

Last news...

I shim the F hole without much success.

Now I bought a set of new pads in Ebay from someone in California. I will try replacing the pads of RH bank only.

It is very frustrating to play in the actual condition and I cannot buy my new YFL 471 (my last choice) until mid April.

Anyway, if it doesn't work I will be more or less where I am now.