It is theoretically possible to change that Kruspe from string action to mechanical but there are some problems. In general, the mechanical action gives a longer throw for the valve levers, not shorter. I did meet someone who had an Alexander that had the holes on the stop arm drilled and tapped closer to the center shaft which provided a shorter stroke. It has to be flat across the top of the stop arm with the central stop arm retaining screw countersunk and flat. Otherwise it will interfere with the action. Another thing is, if you look at the back of the horn you will see that the string action makes the rotor turn counter-clockwise when you push the lever down. Mechanical action pushes the rotor clockwise when you push the lever. To make it work, you'd have to either mount the cork plates over rather than under the rotor shaft and modify the direction of the stop arms, or have an extension that attaches to the stop arm directly opposite to that part that has the screw in it that normally bumps up against the bumpers. Then you could attach the mounting for the mechanical linkage to that extension. Similar to the way a lot of horns have that dooflapper that lets you switch it to stand in Bb instead of F. The easiest and least invasive way would probably be to buy three new levers and adapt them to fit (adapt the levers, not the horn!) and then make 3 new stop arms with flat tops and with the extensions so they'll turn the right direction (more than a one beer job). The setups that have an articulated connection where the straight bar with the strings on it attach to the wiggly part of the lever don't have any advantage as far as distance of travel.
- Steve Mumford _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
