Ask Dave: How Can I Improve My Grip?

Ginger asks:

Dave, I’ve been having a hard time with my left hand grip.  My horn came prepared for a huge hand and mine is smaller with a shorter thumb.  How flexible can you make the thumb valve? I’ve already had the little finger brace moved up and the valves are as low as they go with dimes put in the ends for extensions.  If the thumb valve is moved any lower, it will hit the pipe.  So, what’s next to make a better grip?

Dave replies:  
Ginger, you have already had the usual easy modifications done to your horn and you are still having difficulties with the left hand position.  It may be time for serious modifications.

Left hand position is completely modifiable.  All the levers can be modified and/or moved, as can any finger hook, hand rest, or other type of strap or guard.  But you have to be willing to have the work done, and probably to pay well for it, too.  This is custom work.

As for your particular problem, I think it is time to take the thumb lever off and have it modified to the position you need.  The levers are made of forged nickel, which is readily cut, extended, moved, and brazed back into position.  Exactly how this must be done to meet your needs must be decided by you and your technician, working together.  Be ready to spend some time in your technician’s shop.

Very likely, the lever paddle itself will have to be cut from the lever and moved to a more comfortably position.  You might need to add material to get it in that position, or remove material so it won’t interfere with the tubing.  Once you decide where to put it, the parts must be brazed together (high temperature silver soldering), not soft soldered.  A soft solder joint will fail eventually on this part.

Finally, given the small size of your hand I suggest you consider a hand strap, as well.  It will help stabilize your horn by allowing you to use large muscles to hold the horn in position rather than the smaller muscles and tendons in your hand and wrist.

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