McIntyre Ecole

[kewald]

Accidently found this patent page image that shows the names of the McIntyre keys.

[DaveLeBlanc]

Awesome! Great scoop.

[kewald]

I've changed the subject form McIntyre Key Names to McIntyre Ecole.  Because I'm now referring to my McIntyre Ecole.


The one I bought on Ebay is in good shape.  Clean, corks and pads all look usable.  So, I tried test playing it as is.  Wouldn't play below D3.  Suspected leak in the upper pads.  Watched what the many McIntry levers do and discovered one adjustment screw that was allowing the A3 and G#3 pads to open slightly when the thumb ring is pressed.  These should stay closed then, only opening when the thurmb ring is not pressed, such as when playing those two notes.  Tightened the adjustment screw about 1/2 turn and voila, it played better.


But, then the E3 sounded stuffy.  Caused by some mis-adjustment in the crows foot and spatulas down there.  Now all three registers play quite well!


I've already ordered a complete set of pads for it, but they'll just go into inventory.


Think I'll keep this one for myself.  It'll be interesting learning the McIntyre fingerings.

[kewald]

Found a good tune to use in learning the McIntyre fingerings.  Caravan in the key of F.  Uses all of them repeatedly.

[kewald]

Well, I thought I had the keying down, only to discover that the very top pad wasn't connected to it's spring, thus not opening.


To fix it I had to pull the hinge rod completely out, remove the key and bend the spring, then put the key back and thread that long rod through three adjoining hinge tubes and into the pivot hole in the key below that.  I now see why someone mentioned the difficulty with working with the springs on these keys.

Here's what notes I think the McIntyre keys play: (leave the thumb ring open)
Bottom ring closed - G#
Bottom and middle ring closed - A
Middle and top ring closed - A
All three rings closed - A to Bb
All three rings closed and register key open - Bb to B

[Windsong]

Just catching this:
Fascinating find, and thank you so much for your mechanical discoveries and interest in these very unusual machines.
I too have a McIntyre, and have always marveled at the genius design.  Mine does not play well, and I shan't be tackling it any time soon, but it is 100% original, down to all corks and pads.  It would do well to have a light full restoration, and I intend it to, someday.

[kewald]

Just catching this:
Fascinating find, and thank you so much for your mechanical discoveries and interest in these very unusual machines.
I too have a McIntyre, and have always marveled at the genius design.  Mine does not play well, and I shan't be tackling it any time soon, but it is 100% original, down to all corks and pads.  It would do well to have a light full restoration, and I intend it to, someday.

I did a light overhaul of mine and got things adjusted well.  Lots of fun to play.  I remember  thinking about writing instructions for the adjustments, but forgot to do that and now don't remember how to do it.  Long time sufferer of short term memory - though I don't remember forgetting much!

[DaveLeBlanc]

I hate the McIntyre system as I was never able to adequately understand the mechanism enough to properly fix and adjust them.

Fun fact - a 6 years or so ago I offered a member of this forum to send me their new McIntyre, and I said that I would do a full overhaul, but if I couldn't do the McSystem keys properly, it was free. 12 or so hours of banging my head on the wall later, I send back a very pretty but not entirely functional McIntyre, all for free of course.

Lesson learned - pride before fall...

[kewald]

 

[Windsong]

"Long time sufferer of short term memory - though I don't remember forgetting much!"
Innit the truth!  I can certainly relate.
We don't need a Cliff Notes or as the kids these days say--"a hack".  I think it's about diving into the unknown and mastering it.  No instructions, no warnings, just the accumulation of skill and knowledge as ones guide. David:  that is precisely why I never endeavored into the one I have. I applaud your desire but also your restraint!  Someday, when I have time for a lengthy riddle...