 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amy
Date: 1999-01-21 00:55
I've always had a problem because the acid in my hands really tends to take off the plating on my keys on my clarinet. I've only had this particualar clarinet for about a year and a half and the keys are already beginning to loose their plating and turn strange colors. I try to polish the keys with a cloth every time I play but nothing seems to work. Is there any way to keep the keys looking nicer longer?
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Author: John C.
Date: 1999-01-21 14:28
I have a similar problem - but is more due to age of the clarinet. My 1965 R13 has some serious wear and even some minor pitting on some of the keys. It plays great, but as soon as I can scrap together a few hundred bucks I plan on sending it out for an overhaul and total key replating. I was told yesterday that my keys are actually nickel with a combination of nickel and silver plating. I think I'll have it redone with just silver plating. After all, I'd like it to look as good as it sounds.
BTW - checmically, silver should wear less and gold the least. I wonder if/how platinum or titanium would wear <g>.
Regards,
John C
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-01-21 17:24
Platinum is more expensive than gold and titanium is very hard to work with (weld, cut, etc.). Silver is much cheaper than gold and for most folks will work very well. I too have acidic skin. My clarinet came with silver plated keys and I wipe them down every time after my practice sessions to keep them looking good. I also use a tarnish prevention strip in the case. I'd much rather use prevention than cure. It's much easier, less costly, and less toxic than polishes or chemical tarnish removers.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 1999-01-21 17:38
I assume John was talking about plating the keys with titanium, not making them out of it. Again, the plating process lays down such a thin layer of metal that cost shouldn't be too extreme, even for platinum. I've never heard of anyone plating something with titanium, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-01-27 22:02
John C. wrote:
* * *
I wonder if/how platinum or titanium would wear <g>.
John -
Platinum is quite expensive and somewhat harder than gold, I think. It might be a good bet. Titamium would last practically forever, but it's nearly impossible to work and the expense is astronomical, at least according to a very interesting article by a flute maker who works in titanium. See http://flutes.org/landell/titanium.htm.
Ken Shaw
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