 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2018-03-22 04:38
Hi, I just got a brand new R13 via a well known retailer and repair shop. It was shipped, so I'm sure something was thrown out of wack in the mail. I didn't select it, as it's destined to be my military parade horn and I'm not too fussy about that, and it seems good other than one thing.
Clarion E, F, F# and G (to a lesser extent) have a slight tightness and undertone on them. It's not a buzzing or hissing, just less clarity of sound and a definite undertone. Doesn't manifest at pianissimo, and gets worse at louder dynamics. The lower register is fine. I swapped upper and lower joints with another instrument and it's definitely only the lower joint that's causing it. I tried reseating the pad above the rings on the joint, but that made no difference and it seems to be sealing well. I do have some repair experience, and I absolutely can't think of anything else. Everything is sealing well, I can't see any obvious burrs in the tone holes or the bore...
I'd like to sort it out myself if I can, as it is brand new and I'll have a hard time getting it sent out for repair before I've even used it... I will if I have to though.
Throw any ideas my way please! It's driving me crazy.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2018-03-22 18:01
It looks ok and the 1 and 1 Bb fingering works fine. Could the cork on the lower arm be a bit thick maybe?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2018-03-22 18:36
Is it only those notes and the same for E, F and F#, then only less for G? Completely gone on Eb and Ab (below and above respectively) and all other higher and lower notes?
Does it happen with F# whether you use the regular fingering or the banana key?
Does it happen only on the attack or just the same during the note? If it's the latter, is it there if you play those notes without the register key open (just over blowing)?
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2018-03-22 19:22
Yes, it's totally fine above and below those notes. Both F# fingerings are the same and it's for the duration of the note. I'll give it a try with just overblowing this afternoon, but I have a feeling it won't change.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2018-03-22 21:27
Is it possible that the rings on the lower joint are out of adjustment such that your index and middle fingers don't quite shut the hole at the top of the lower joint, but that your ring finger shuts that hole? If that's the case, then E, F and F# would have a problem.
Any problem with any of the fingerings of D6 or Eb6?
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2018-03-24 20:35
Sorry for the delay.
Clarnibass- yes it is there if I play with the register key closed. After a bit more experimenting I can actually "voice" the undertone out for a little bit at a time.
Burt- No problems with D6 or Eb6. The top pad of the lower joint seems to seat evenly regardless of which ring I'm holding down. I had my boyfriend press it down hard while I played the offending notes and there was no difference.
I'm completely stumped.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2018-03-25 01:39
When you press any of the lower joint rings does the small pad between the upper rings close completely? If not then the bridge adjustment is wrong.
Tony F.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2018-03-25 07:57
>> yep all good there <<
Even if the upper key wouldn't close, it would only affect the 1-1 Eb/Bb fingering, not any lower notes, unless your left hand middle finger also doesn't close that key (e.g. ring too low), but then the effect is unlikely to be only for those exact notes... unless only when adding all three right hand fingers you put enough force for it to close. Pretty unlikely scenario...
It could be a "ghost"... which is not a ghost obviously, but when a player finds a tiny problem, then they become very aware and sometimes (maybe unconciously) cause it. For example, a friend was repairing a sax once, but there was a small problem with the low notes. After more time it probably became one of the most thoroughly checked instruments in history... but the problem was still there. When the owner came to pick it up it had no problem. He just got so good at producing it that it happened even when it wasn't really there anymore.
If it happens with the register key closed then that more or less eliminates that as the problem.
Can you get someone else to try the clarinet with their own setup? Don't tell them about the problem, maybe just ask if the clarinet feels ok to them? If they think it's fine, maybe then mention this area, but don't tell them what the problem is.
Beyond that it's difficult to suggest anything else without seeing the clarinet and being able to play it.
Post Edited (2018-03-25 07:59)
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2018-03-25 21:11
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm on leave this week but I'll get a couple of colleagues to try it without mentioning the specific problem.
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