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I just got done with a project for retired Marine Band tubist Ron Haney. He has had trouble with the hand position on his 2 (yes, 2) MW CC's. Being the ergonomic genius that he is, Ron wanted to change the position and angle of the thumb paddle to allow his thumb to travel INTO his palm.

**The best way I can describe his desired right hand position is to say it looks like the bill of a duck, with the thumb being the lower jaw of the bill. Just make your hand say "AFLAC" and you get the idea of what he was after.**

These alterations have really helped his right hand relax. I tried the finished product and must admit, he is on to something with this change.

Here are two links to pictures of the paddle:

http://tinypic.com/sgi9lh.jpg
http://tinypic.com/sgiao4.jpg

I hope the links work, if not I'll send pics to anyone interested.



Cameron Gates

Very innovative work...I like it.

Does it use all of the stock parts with the exception on the "connecting rod" between the two uniball links?

I wish I could test it out.

Tom wrote:Very innovative work...I like it.

Does it use all of the stock parts with the exception on the "connecting rod" between the two uniball links?

I wish I could test it out.

The lever was made out of new stock material for ease. The silver soldered nut on the end of the lever that takes the unibal screw was just cut off the old lever and attached to the new one. A new nut would be just as easy to make from stock. The main alteration was the lever saddle. The flange is cut off the corner and reattached to the middle part of the saddle.

It really works well. I have other pictures I'll send if someone is interested in doing this.

Cameron Gates

You were talking about this between marches on the job tonight; I envisioned the paddle being longer, so the thumb would be heading more toward the index finger. The pics look like the thumb is heading more toward the ring finger. I wonder how this would work with a longer paddle. You're right, Ron's fingers must be way long--that's a big spread between the paddle and the piston caps.

Great work, Cameron!

Now, if you could only figure out a way to make Nirschl valves work consistently ...

Also, I'm anxious to have you take a look at my Alex CC, and discover an effective way to change the 5th valve from left hand to right thumb.

Karl "Scranton is, well, Scranton" Hovey

Tom Holtz wrote:You were talking about this between marches on the job tonight; I envisioned the paddle being longer, so the thumb would be heading more toward the index finger. The pics look like the thumb is heading more toward the ring finger. I wonder how this would work with a longer paddle. You're right, Ron's fingers must be way long--that's a big spread between the paddle and the piston caps.

That is where Ron wanted it. The saddle and lever can be made to put the paddle anywhere. The important thing for him was the angle of the thumb throw. Ron put a lot of thought into what he wanted, heck the guy knows more about ergonomics than most will ever know. He has even designed and built his own "triple pivot" crank for his racing bike. I have smaller hands than Ron (stop laughing Tom) and it was quite comfortable.

Cameron Gates

Speaking of ergonomics, I had to figure out a system so I could keep playing my bass guitar as well. I came up with a half-fan fret layout based on an old drawing by a 16th century luthier in a Paris museum. If your friend is interested, PM and I'll email a pic.