Klarinet Archive - Posting 000245.txt from 1996/05

From: Nate Burk <nathan@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Clarinet plating rubbing off
Date: Sat, 11 May 1996 00:19:40 -0400

Steven wrote about the nickel plating on his clarinet keys coming off:
>Would you recommended that I simply get it replatted with nickel every
>few years, or is there another substance, such as silver, that will last
>significantly longer?

First of all, are you sure that the nickel is physically rubbing off or is
it just tarnishing? If it's just tarnishing, then it's pretty easy (if
costly) to have the keys cleaned by a repairman. Tarnish can look kind of
coppery, so double check. In fact, it's more likely that that's the case.

Let's assume that the nickel really is deteriorating...

If you think you'll own the clarinet for many more years, I think it would
be a sound investment to look into silver-plating the keys (but I admit I
wasn't aware this was possible). One of the reasons many people like silver
keys is because they doesn't corrode as easily as nickel.

Some people's hands react more actively with nickel than others, so maybe
silver is the way to go for you. A repairman would be happy to take a look
at the instrument and give you more sound advice. You'll first want to make
sure you're really talking about corroding, though, and not tarnishing.

--Nate

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