An ingenious design from UK brass guru, Denis Wedgewood. This nifty water key eliminates the need for cork replacements, spring coil replacement, and ends leaky spit valves. Yes, you will never have to replace a cork again! Encased in a CNC brass casing is a stainless steel ball bearing that gives a 100% seal and gives a seamless gap where your spit valve would normally be. There is nothing to block the exit hole and can be engaged from 360 degrees. It is superior to the Amado: it is the fastest draining water key, it never wears out, and there are no parts that need to be oiled. Also, the threaded pieces allow you to take it apart and clean it if you like. An easy installation by your favorite repairman and you are ready to go!
Hey, Bill. I've seen it at the Musikmesse for the last few years but haven't played a horn with one installed. It seems like a good design. I might see if I can get one and try it in the next few months.
I have got one fitted on the bottom of the main tuning slide of my Cerveny Kaiser to avoid having to swing the monster to empty. The Saturn water key works really great - I would recommend.
And it was fitted with very little surrounding lacquer damage - better solution to moving the existing water key as I previously had done on my Neptune and PT-20.
Jonathan "who wonders why water keys are not positioned to enable emptying without swinging in the first place"
I had two push - the - button - and - water - gushes - over - your - fingers - type water keys installed on the first and third valve slides on my old King. One of them sticks occasionally but 3 in 1 oil stops that for a while. I'm glad I got 'em. I wish I had put one more on the short second valve slide to avoid doing the "King Spin". They work fast. I need that.
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass http://www.jcsherman.net
HI-
I bought few Saturn water keys recently, and just got back two horns (see below) with them installed. They are great! I have had problems in the past with Amado keys-sticky, corrosion, etc.--and with regular water keys --leak!--but so far, these Saturn keys are really something. It is very smooth playing having them on the horn, and you can take them apart once installed to clean them if necessary--and the water really does come out fast with them--highly recommended!!
