Easy 88h thumb paddle replacement?

[ChadA]

I have an 88h with the adjustable metal thumb paddle that they’ve been using since the 90s. It’s functional, but not attractive. I’d love to swap out the lever for one that has a wooden thumb rest. Anyone know if there’s something out there that can be swapped in without moving the trigger mount/saddle?

[Ski001]

Watching this post- mine’s worn down to shiny brass, and rough

[harrisonreed]

I don't know of a drop in wooden replacement, but the part can be easily ordered from Conn-Selmer. It's probably dirt cheap too.

[tbonesullivan]

Maybe you could have a tech grind down the paddle and glue on a wooden paddle? Or they could probably make a whole new arm, copying the conn arm.

[JLivi]

Does anyone have experience buying a wooden or acrylic thumb rest? I have an older 88h (artist symphony) and didn’t know if I could just buy any trigger thumb rest I see online or if it was a specific size

[ChadA]

Here’s what my tech, Gary Dafler, came up with. He fabricated a replacement for the removable Conn paddle. I bought a spalted maple thumb rest from Kyle Peck. Looks much better than the stock Conn part!

57A357C8-79FA-445E-AA3C-E4DC7CD4766A.jpeg

[Matt K]

Before you do anything permanent, have a tech (or do so yourself) put some woodwind cork on it. If they ask you what you mean... just have them glue cork to it as they would the inside of a woodwind pad. Use something in the middle of their thickness... I think it's a Clarinet cork specifically. I wish I had pictures of when a tech did that for me but I no longer have that horn. It looks pretty nice and feels great. I love the feeling of cork on my thumb... slides easy but not too easy. Pretty soft, etc.

[castrubone]

Here’s what my tech, Gary Dafler, came up with. He fabricated a replacement for the removable Conn paddle. I bought a spalted maple thumb rest from Kyle Peck. Looks much better than the stock Conn part!

57A357C8-79FA-445E-AA3C-E4DC7CD4766A.jpeg

Awesome! Gary is the best.