Klarinet Archive - Posting 001214.txt from 1998/05

From: "Brian Ackerman" <ackerman@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Buffet info wanted
Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 20:13:02 -0400

Just a few points on the various questions raised by this mail.
Over here in England, all Buffet clarinets above the B12 are supplied with
silver-plate. This is considered to be superior to nickel-plate and is more
resistant to the acid from sweaty fingers. I also feels better, being less
slippery.

I don't know where the story about nickel-plate being banned in Germany
came from, but all our B12's are still nickel-plated, so I do not think it
is correct.

German silver is just another name for nickel-silver. In the old days
(before plated keys were common), nickel-silver had a higher nickel content
of about 18%. This made it whiter and less liable to tarnish. Modern
nickel-silver has about 10% nickel in it. Incidentally, despite the name,
it does not contain any silver. It is basically a brass alloy with 10%
nickel added.

Brian Ackerman.

----------
> From: GTGallant <GTGallant@-----.com>
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] Buffet info wanted
> Date: 21 May 1998 15:51
>
> I have been bothered by this for some time. Although I seem to always
wind up
> buying R-13's, the issue of silver plating disturbs me. How can Buffet
offer
> student model clarinets with STANDARD silver plated keys, when a pro
model's
> key finish is standard nickel? I do know why - get a $100 or more extra
bucks
> out of you - but WHY? I find it quite insulting. I've had nickel plated
keys
> in the past and find that I wear through it fairly quick and is too
slippery
> for my taste. The material is overall more durable than silver but my
body
> chemistry doesn't seem to agree with it. It is my opinion that nickel
plating
> should be an option for those customers who prefer it over silver plate.
> Since most players seem to prefer silver plate, wouldn't it make more
sense to
> plate ALL model's keys (except lower student line) in silver?
> Does Buffet care?
>
>
>
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