Klarinet Archive - Posting 000139.txt from 2004/08

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Silva-Bet pads with bolts
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 14:16:14 -0400

At 04:03 PM 8/4/2004 -0400, Lelia Loban wrote:
>Yes, I also prefer to restore instruments to as close as I can get to the
>original condition, and will definitely use the original resonators and
>bolts. (Come to think of it, they're probably called screws, since it
>seems that all threaded linkages on clarinets are referred to as either
>rods or screws, although many of the "screws" are really bolts, since they
>screw into permanently- attached nuts -- posts. I wonder how we got into
>the habit of calling bolts screws?)

In my experience, if it has a slotted head, it is a screw. If it has a
square or hex-shaped head, it is a bolt. The long ones on clarinets that
are threaded only at the end are called rods probably out of tradition,
since in earlier times they were not threaded at all.

>I wish I knew what kinds of pads were on there originally. Leather pads
>were original equipment on some soprano clarinets older than this one. I
>own two wooden Bb clarinets and one wooden Eb clarinet from the end of the
>19th century with deteriorated leather pads that must be either the
>originals or very old replacements; but I haven't been able to find a
>catalogue advertisement for resonator pads on any clarinet. I have an H.
>Bettoney flyer from 1937 that advertises that the company introduced the
>Silva-Bet in 1925. The flyer offers several different models of clarinets,
>with five different Silva-Bet models, including full Boehm; but the ad says
>nothing about pads installed this way.

My Carl Fisher A clarinet with the wrap-around register key was padded with
white leather pads when I originally got it, as was my Conn C-Melody
sax. I think white leather pads are still available, although you may have
to look around some. If not original, they certainly qualify as "period."

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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