I've got an old Duo Gravis I love, but with tiny hands absolutely no ability to play - it is just way too uncomfortable. I've got a tech I trust who is willing to do the split, provided I can find some of the required hardware. Any chance anybody can point me in the right direction?

Splitting the Duo-Gravis triggers requires custom fabricated levers, no "kits" are available.

Not every tech is a good choice to do this kind of custom work. One who plays trombone is ideal because he/she will understand ergonomics. I can recommend a few techs you could send it to. Eric Edwards above is one of them. In fact, he did a Duo Gravis for me!

Where do you live?...

I agree with the above, mostly.

The designer of the Duo Gravis was a Horn player. He did the triggers the way they are because Alan Raph wanted them that way. He swapped the triggers around on mine so that both keys still mount on the original spot (I COULD switch back to the original triggers) and made new paddles. The F paddle is in saddle position of the old D paddle, which is more comfortable for most thumbs, and the middle-finger paddle is in the spot closer to the receiver. He also reversed the direction of the second valve while still keeping the string linkages. This was tricky because the stop plate had to shift 90 degrees and the relation between the end of the actuator arm and stop pin became critical (set too far one way the arm would hit the pin; set the other way the valve wouldn't open all the way.

I had pictures on the old TTF but am not posting them here because the point is not MY conversion but YOUR conversion.

ANY good tech (bone player or not) should be able to make up pieces to fit the existing saddle and fit YOUR hands. This is the right time to get some true customization.

BTW: I have seen many mini-ball conversions. That can be done, but I find the string action to be quieter and faster with paddles placed for MY finger sizes. YMMV. Sticking with the strings is one less cost item for your tech to handle.

I would certainly recommend finding a good tech for the conversion. Next to that: the Gb-lever of a Getzen 1062 can be modified (bent) to fit the Duo Gravis quite well. It can be installed in the existing saddle. Here's a picture of this modification I've seen. It will work, but nothing beats a customized trigger split obviously.

<ATTACHMENT filename="DuoGravis.jpg" index="0">[attachment=0]DuoGravis.jpg</ATTACHMENT>

[quote="greenbean"]Not every tech is a good choice to do this kind of custom work. One who plays trombone is ideal because he/she will understand ergonomics. I can recommend a few techs you could send it to. Eric Edwards above is one of them. In fact, he did a Duo Gravis for me!

Where do you live?...[/quote]

Thank you Sir!!

I can fully vouch for Eric's work. I've used him many times!

Your tech will need to make custom parts as others have said.

There are plenty of techs to mail the horn out to who can make the custom parts but it's really best to have this done in person so the tech can specifically make it to your hands.

My local tech John Sandhagen is amazing when it comes to making custom triggers and I've had him do it to just about every instrument I've owned.