Klarinet Archive - Posting 000108.txt from 2001/03

From: Sfdr@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Bending bass clarinet neck may not the best solution.
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2001 00:55:36 -0500

I don't think that neck bending is the best solution to correcting the
mouthpiece angle. Not only can that procedure crease or kink the wall tubing
but shape of the round metal tubing can be distorted and made oval.
Acoustically the flattening of the bass clarinet neck can be a real nightmare
for pitch. For dimensional changes in the Bass Clarinet neck are as critical
as dimensional changes in the soprano Clarinet barrel.
I watched Hans Moennig address this same problem for the bass Clarinet
player of the Chicago Symphony in 1978. Instead of bending the neck tubing,
Mr. Moennig merely change the angle of the metal mouthpiece socket in
relationship to the neck tube.
This was Mr. Moennig's procedure for that modification:
1. Remove the mouthpiece from the neck.

2. With a protractor figure out how many degree of change you would like on
the mouth piece angle. 5, 10, 15 degrees ect.

3. With a scraper of file remove the plating from the area were the
mouthpiece receiver and the neck tube meet. This will allow you to see the
solder as it melts.

4. Heat the soldered joint until the neck tuns read and pull the socket off
the tube.

5. Cool the hot parts in water and clean off all old solder and plating near
the joint.
Filing and sanding works well for this process.

6. neat remove material from the neck tube by filing 1/8 to 3/8 inches from
the top side of the tube opening. A good way to measure this procedure is to
wrap a ring of masking tape around the neck tubing leaving 3/8 inches is
tubing exposed. File only the area on the top side of the tube. Do not file
the area of the neck closest to the floor it the neck is held in playing
position.

7. with a wide file, remove the tubing in a wedge pattern. In other words you
are not shortening the neck just the area on the top side of the neck.

8. Slip the mouthpiece socket over the neck periodically to check the desired
angle.

9. Once an angle has been established by removing material from the neck,
remove all plating from the end section of the neck as hard of silver solder
will not stick to plating especially nickel.

10. Wedge the mouthpiece socket over the neck tubing and add solder flux.
Apply a thick coat to protect the neck from heat discoloration.

11. Heat the two sections thoroughly and apply the silver solder. Old drum
sticks or table legs can be used to hold the mouthpiece socket and neck while
soldering.

12. Cool and check solder joint for air leaks. You may block the end of the
neck with the palm of your hand while blowing air into the mouthpiece socket
end. Hold the modified section under water and look for bubble escaping or
apply a soapy liquid to the solder joint and watch for bubbles.

13. Finally clean and buff the neck and it will look like new.

I hope this system will help you with you Bass Clarinet Neck dilemma.

Thanks,
Alvin
Swiney

Affordable Music Co.

www.corkpad.com

In a message dated 3/2/01 3:32:31 PM Central Standard Time, GrabnerWG@-----.com
writes:

<< Has anyone body out there (in never-never-land) had the neck piece of
their bass bent?

If so, I would like to hear about such experiences. After playing on my
Buffet bass for 27 years, I've decided I just don't like the agle that the
mouthpiece enters my mouth.

I have of course noticed that the new Buffet's have a much more angled neck
(Yes, Roger, I remember drooling over your bass).

I could pop for a $5,000 plus bass, but ya know what? I have this one, and I
know it's not as good, but I do have a kid to put through college in a few
years.......

Walter Grabner

>>

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