Klarinet Archive - Posting 001212.txt from 2000/12

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Eb Lever
Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2000 14:13:29 -0500

Neil Leupold asked:

>> Does anybody know why it took so long for somebody to include [a left
little finger lever for Ab/Eb] on a soprano clarinet model? Was the R-13
Prestige the first Buffet model to include it? Was the Concerto the first
for Leblanc? <<

The lever has been an option on top-of-the-line models practically forever,
though you usually had to order the 7th ring for the left hand ring finger
(and maybe the articulated C#/G#) to get it. The pre-R-13 Buffet ads had a
separate model number for it, and all the old catalogs show it as an option.

I think the Buffet Prestige and Leblanc Opus (but not the Concerto) and
Selmer Signature were the first models to make it standard equipment.

When the Prestige came out, there was much complaining that the key got in
the way. Also, the lever was mounted between the left-hand E/B and F#/C#
keys, which separated the keys and looked odd when you removed it. Buffet
quickly redesigned the key so that it was mounted outside the other two keys
and curved across them, eliminating the split. They also made the mounting
flush with the body of the instrument so it wouldn't show if you removed the
key. Their advertising even mentions this.

I thought about having the key added to my R-13s, but Kal Opperman advised
against it. He said it was always dangerous to drill into the wood to mount
an additional key, because you never knew whether you would hit a resonant
point and destroy the response.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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