Klarinet Archive - Posting 000413.txt from 2003/06

From: "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Needle springs...
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 13:49:26 -0400

Several people have remarked on the viciousness of needle springs. In
removing keys from old clarinets and saxophones, I've stabbed myself so
much that my fingers looked as if they'd been attacked by angry kittens,
but I don't get stabbed that way again when I put the keys back on, because
first I clip the worst springs with a pair of bolt cutters. Most springs
are long enough that the sharp tip of the point can come off without
affecting the performance of the spring. If I ever found a spring so long
and so aggressive that it could reach out and jab me *while I'm playing,* I
would not wait to repad before I clipped that claw!

Incidentally, some modern needle springs are still made out of blued
(heated) sewing needles. The assorted springs from Ferree's are so
reasonably priced that IMHO, it's not worth the trouble of making springs
at home, even if I could find un-coated, un-stainless steel needles, which
I can't. However, the proof that they exist is right here in my tool kit,
where a recently-purchased batch of assorted saxophone and clarinet needle
springs from Ferree's includes one that's still got the eye.

Lelia Loban
E-mail: lelialoban@-----.net
Web site (original music scores as audio or print-out):
http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/LeliaLoban

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