Klarinet Archive - Posting 000357.txt from 2000/08

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Opposite register vent
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 22:50:28 -0400

At 08:48 PM 8/14/2000 -0400, Dee Hays wrote:
>>From watching the auctions on eBay, it would appear that this arrangement
>started sometime after 1900 and ceased sometime in the 1930s. This is based
>on those cases where the instruments offered for auction could be dated from
>their serial numbers. It's not absolutely definitive of course as some
>instruments could not be dated due to lack of serial number or no
>manufacturer/model data. The number of observations is thus limited.
>
>In watching the the auctions, I have seen the wrap around register key on
>both Albert system horns and Boehm system horns.
>
>Here is another limited observation. If a key was broken, it was most often
>a wrap around register key. This perhaps makes sense from a mechanics
>standpoint. The arm from the pivot rod to the cup is long in proportion to
>its thickness (note here that I am refering to the ratio here as there are
>other long arms on these keys but they are also thicker). This makes it a
>relatively weak key and more subject to breakage. While this is a deduction
>from basic principles, if one had access to the analytical tools (which do
>exist), one could calculate the relative strengths of the two different
>register keys. Of course a person could measure it but most people would
>not want to do the destructive testing required on their treasures.
>
I have an old Carl Fischer A clarinet with the wrap-around octave key. I
am inclined to agree that the design's major downside is its relative
fragility and high vulnerability to being knocked out of line. With a key
that long, you get a lot of leverage on it, and it is not relatively well
protected and guarded like the trill keys. It DOES get around the register
tube problems, though, and the throat Bb is pretty clear.

Bill Hausmann NEW ADDRESS: bhausmann1@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://homepages.go.com/~zoot14/zoot14.html
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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