 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CJ
Date: 2004-08-06 04:52
I was recently given a rather old wooden LeBlanc Bb clarinet. It has no cracks and appears to be in very good condition, but it only plays from throat F to Bb, and register B and C. The trouble is with notes below the first and second holes. I simply don't have the budget for professional repair at the moment, does anyone have any suggestions for home repair or at least diagnosis?
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-08-06 05:45
It may need new pads, or the pads might not be seating properly.
As I discovered, there is no home repair for an old clarinet. I almost completely destroyed my metal clarinet by giving it a home repad. The main problem is lack of tools for adjustment. If the pads are fine, then it may need adjustments. Keys are easily bent out of shape when not taken care of over the years.
--contragirl
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-08-06 05:58
Nice ol' horn, CJ ... just a little tired at the moment. You don't say whether you play or not. But, either way, if you play or don't play or would like to play you can do a quick do-it-yourself cursory diagnostic test at home. This will give you a better idea of what might need to be done to get the horn to feelin' frisky again.
1. Make sure all the keys move freely and close properly, that none are sticking open. Check that all keys are closing properly and only the ring key pads should stay open when you're not pressing them. If any other keys stay open look for a disconnected or broken spring.
2.) Check that none of the screws have worked loose. If a screw has worked loose, but isn't lost, screw it back in but don't over tighten. If you have a sticky key you'll have to get it working freely before you can proceed. Let us know if you find a sticky, sluggish key.
3.) If you can rule out a sluggish key follow this next step. You don't need the mouthpiece so, if it's in place remove it. Close the top joint open holes, all (four) of them. Plug the lower end (middle tenon) or cover it with your right palm and blow. You'll likely find the G#/C# or the side Eb/Bb or the sliver Eb/Bb, or perhaps a side trill key is leaking. You may find a leak, perhaps multiple leaks. If, however, you find no leaks in the top section I'll be quite surprised. But, if everything seems okay...
4.) Do the same procedure as above to the bottom section (without the bell) but ask someone to press one key at a time to find out which one makes it not leak. After you've isolated the problem pad, or pads, check back and someone will offer a few quick fixes to hold you until you can get to a repair shop. If you decide to replace the pad(s) yourself someone will offer suggestions about that too. If you've never done something like re-padding before, you might do well to heed Contragirl's suggestion: consider saving some money to have it done right. If you're a brave, daring sort of person there are a few around here who will cheer you on 
Best wishes,
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
Post Edited (2004-08-06 06:06)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-08-06 13:15
Good advice above, when someone brings me a clarinet that doesn't play well, or at all, I look it over carefully looking for missing or torn pads, then pressure and vacuum test it as Ron describes. If you have corks that fit the bores, using them will free-up a hand for press-testing. Usually you can hear air leaking out, and may be able to locate the major leaks that way. Small leaks may take careful analysis/testing, which is best done by a competent repairer. Its possible that someone has tightened-down the set screw [usually there is only one on a 17 key/6 ring Boehm cl.] which can sure interfere with playing. There needs to be a bit of "knock" on raising the A key pad, before it lifts the G# key's pad. Lets hope no one has gone "screwy" there. Tell us what naming and /or numbering your cl has, so we can advise you further on repairs. Just my thots, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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