Klarinet Archive - Posting 000530.txt from 2004/06

From: Umar Goldeli <umar@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Relocating keys..
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2004 19:31:41 -0400

> The keys are silver-soldered together. Heat would be the method of choice
> to separate them.

Just out of curiosity though - is silver soldering that much stronger than
standard soldering as used on circuit boards? Just looking at the keys and
the joint between them and the rod - since there's a lot of leverage, this
joint would have to be obscenely strong..

(I've done lots of "normal" soldering, arc welding, mig welding etc, but
never any silver soldering.. Google says that apparantly a propane torch
is used in the process and an oxy torch can sometimes be used as well
suggesting that the heat is *much* higher than standard soldering - so is
it closer to welding? Does the item being soldered actually melt too or
just the donor rod/solder stick? Surely a propane torch can't melt the
keys on a clarinet right?)

> A clarinet repair technician would absolutely be the one to go to. Since
> this is a rather special job, I think I would try to find a top guy
> specializing in clarinet who will work closely with you and your needs.

Actually it looks like some of the pads are leaking as well and the
barrel/top tenon joint does not fit anymore so I'll have to get these
looked at as well.

Yes, this is a new instrument from music123.com - avoid them like the
plague.

> I think I have actually seen a Chinese instrument with aluminum
> keys! However, REAL clarinet keys are made of nickel-silver (also called
> German silver). Nickel-silver really has no silver in it; it is a brass
> alloy with a high nickel content, giving it the silver color. It is used
> BECAUSE it is durable and easy to work with.

Thanks for the info!

//umar.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org