 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Camanda
Date: 2004-06-25 17:40
My friend and stand partner, Katrina, has been having major problems with her bass clarinet since she bought it. It has this one issue where the index-finger key on the upper joint will not re-open if, say, it has been used for first-line E, and then one tries to play F, G, Ab, A, or Bb (obviously it doesn't matter much for the F#). That's not the thing that's puzzling me, though. It's the neck and the bell on her instrument.
I've used her instrument before, since mine was in the shop for three weeks to get repadded (don't ask why it took that long). When I put it together, the neck swivels around slightly even if it's been screwed on as tight as it can go. If we go any looser, it's impossible to play the thing. The bell has the same problem, except we can't screw it on, so it's more of a headache. (When you put the bell on, you can even feel it drop off the cork slightly when you take your hand away.) We can kind of alleviate the problem with the neck by wrapping paper around it for a more snug fit, but it doesn't work for the bell. Believe it or not, it doesn't really affect the sound -- it's just annoying and we're afraid to take it out for a marching event, since it's fallen apart onstage before!
Any suggestions?
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-06-25 17:50
Problem #1 (sticking pad): Clean the pad: stick a business card or other clean, stiff paper under the pad, hold the pad down, pull out the paper to remove gunk, repeat as necessary. If this doesn't solve it, increase the spring tension on the key.
Problem #2 (loose neck): I assume this is a Bundy or Vito or Leblanc bass with a metal-sleeve tenon? Remove the clamp screw, use a keyhole saw or thin file to SLIGHTLY widen the slot. Wrap a towel or other protective material around the neck tenon receiver (clamp area), then use a Vise Grip, slip-joint pliers or similar tool to VERY CAREFULLY squeeze the receiver diameter EVER SO SLIGHTLY smaller.
Problem #3 (loose bell): Re-cork the bell tenon, or for temporary use wrap with pipe thread ("Teflon") tape until snug.
Don't sue me if you screw anything up. If you're afraid of screwing things up, bring the bass to any half-decent woodwind tech -- these are all very simple and common repairs.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-25 18:20
Well put advice, Dave, this is one of the reasons for my Selmer preference. By using corked-tenon joints, Sel avoids the metal-to-metal [potentially leaking] joint like saxes have, but no problem with them, lots of wind and freedom from squeeks due to minor leaks ! IMHO ! IF the return spring is OK, then to clean the deposits from the pad, I dampen a cloth, insert under pad, lightly close pad, wait a few minuted, and pull cloth gently, out comes the peanut/jelly ! Much luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-06-26 01:54
I feel an urge to speak to the above recommendation(s). The remedies will work, and I don't mean in any way to be contentious. However, I feel there is an alternate method you need to be informed about before you make a decision. Rather than sawing on something and calling Vice-Grip re-enforcement (a last-ditch measure, in my opinion), and *hoping* things won't go wrong for you(gulp), ask your local repair tech to use her/his joint expander to tighten the neck tenon for you. It should take only a couple of minutes, minimal charge (if any), and it will be tight as a drum for a very long time. You haven't removed any material, lost sleep or chewed on your fingernails.
Sticky pads and loose corks take a little longer to fix so if you hire someone to take care of those problems expect to pay for the service.
There's another way to expand a metal tenon but you'll need a mandrel, some metalworking tools and tons of patience - but, again, you won't remove any metal in the process.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
Post Edited (2004-06-26 03:15)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-06-29 16:05
Ron,
I concur that your method for improving the neck/tenon fit is the preferred one --- I suggested the cruder method because it can be done at home with simple, common household tools. As I've spent a lifetime (it seems) fixing things using "the wrong tools for the job", such mechanical butchery comes naturally to me.
p.s. My wife calls me "Glue-Man", so that might give you some idea where I'm coming from......
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-06-29 16:26
(oh, Dave...) Hahahaha! Glue and Duct tape gets the job done every time!
[ ...works for me anyway... ]
I'm reluctant to mention what my wife calls me.... ![[right]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie8.gif)
- ron b -
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