Klarinet Archive - Posting 000394.txt from 1996/01

From: Jim Gai <JGAI@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Re: Your mail
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 01:27:40 -0500

About the plating on your E-11. There isn't much I know can be done once the
nickel plate has worn through to the german silver alloy that these keys are
made of. There is a lime polish that repairman use to buff nickel plated keys,
but it's not for amatuers, as it requires a specific number for feet per
minute (speed) on the buffing wheel to be effective, and the buffing com-
pound itself only lasts about six months before it collects too much moisture.
Your E-11 should be fine, as the plating is only cosmetic (my old R-13 keys
are not plated at all). Do watch out for intonation problems if the the
instrument is "blown out" i.e., the bore dimensions have changed with age and
much swabbing. Clarinets (wood) do wear out and the 12ths get funky. Try a
Yamaha YCL64 for good pitch at a reasonable price.

Back to your key problem. They can be replated, but worn spots can also be
buffed with rouge and then covered with clear finger nail polish or spray
lacquer (clear). I don't like the feel of the keys when this is done, but is
may improve the looks. Good luck