 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jack
Date: 2004-08-15 06:03
I've got a basically new Buffet Prestige low C Bass Clarinet. The end of the 2nd joint has a cheap little metal cap on it where the bell slips on over it. It seems that the circumfrence of the metal cap is at least as large as the interior circumfrence of the part of the bell that fits onto the joint. So it's a royal pain to put the bell on or take it off.
Anyway, tonight the cap came off when I was taking the bell off. I was able to retrieve the cap from the bell housing with no trouble.
So here's my question: Is it OK to play the clarinet tomorrow (Sunday) without the cap on the end of the 2nd joint? Does the cap serve any useful purpose like protecting the end of the 2nd joint from cracking?
Thanks for any advice.
Jack
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-08-15 06:31
I have a 1193 Buffet and I'm not exactly sure what is that 'cap' you are refering to. If I understand you correctly, then I don't think I have that 'cap' on mine, and I bought mine new in 1999. So I'd say you don't need it. If you can take a picture of it maybe I can help you better.
I have a question too. What did you mean by 'a BASICALLY new'?
Also, I'd like to ask you some questions please but I think that they are against the forum rules so if I can email you it would be great. Either you write your email here, or just email me to clarnibass@yahoo.com if you don't want to make your email address public.
Thanks.
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Author: jack
Date: 2004-08-15 07:11
claribass,
The metal cap is just a round piece of brass(?) that fits snugly over the bottom (bell) end of the second joint, extending no more than an eighth of an inch away from the end.
Basically new, meaning that I bought it used from an older guy that received it as a gift and kept it about a year, who only played it three or four times as he sadly developed arthritis.
email is jyoung0071@aol.com
Your comment about not having a cap on your's gives me some solace.
Jack
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-08-15 07:42
Well I don't have the cap you are describing so I don't think you need it. There is nothing different in the lower joint than the middle joint. I don't think you need it.
I emailed you my other questions.
Thanks.
Post Edited (2004-08-15 07:47)
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Author: William
Date: 2004-08-15 15:48
I've had my Presitge low C bass for about two years now and that little metal ring is often a **pain** when removing the bell. It seems to be at its "worst" when the instrument is cold--not warmed up. Allowing the instruments wood and metal parts (bell and wood/metal tendon) both adapt to the environment seems to help. The metal tendon ring is really there to help prevent damage duing assembly and if your careful, I don't really see any advantage in putting it back on. It certainly will not hurt to play with it off until you can have your tech repairperson reinstall it with epoxy (like mine did).
To help make your bell assembly easier: 1) let your bass adapt to the climate before assembly--expeically if you just took it out of your air conditioned car. 2) frequently apply cork lubricant on the ring to help minimize the metal-on-metal friction that the Buffet folks "designed" for us. 3) remove your bell as soon as possible at the end of the gig while the instrument is still uniformly "warm".
If the bell does stick (as it most likely will), don't play "macho clarinet man" and force it. Make certain that the bell is precisly level with the tendon and use gentle twisting motions until it loosens. Using short, non-forceful back and forth twists may take a little persistance, but they usually succeed after a short time. This proceddure has worked for me, but the next time my tendon ring comes off, I am just going to leave it off (as long as the cork still makes a good seal with the bell sockett) and take my chances.
"A twist in time, saves nine". Benny Franklin, may have said it this way if he had played the bass clarinet.
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2004-08-18 17:33
I tend do agree with Jack. The tenon ring does serve a purpose to help prevent cracking, but I would think that it's usefulness in this particular case lies more in protecting the tenon from chips and dings. Being at the very bottom of the instrument, I wouldn't think that the wood would be exposed to as much hot air and temperature differentials as the upper joint, etc... I personally would get it to a repair person before too terribly long, and be careful assembling and disassembling until then. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-08-18 18:02
The tenon cap is there to provide stability and durability at a particularly fragile point on the instrument. It also protects the end grain from wicking up too much moisture. This is not a cheap horn-- run, do not walk, to a qualified technician and get the piece reattached. You do not want to risk damage, particularly since the wood is cut down to allow for the cap in the first place and the full weight of the instrument is on that junction.
As for the fit, nearly every 1193 I've seen including my own has the same very tight tolerances between the cap and the bell socket. I had Bill Brannen put it on a lathe and take ever-so-little off the cap for an easier fit. Regardless, grease not just the cork but the end cap when assembling.
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