 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wayne J. Grimm
Date: 1999-04-30 19:52
I have some questions about the possibility and potential cost of replacing a missing key on an old Evette & Schaeffer Buffet-Crampon bass clarinet. I was told Francois Kloc of Boosey & Hawkes could help steer me in the right direction, but don't have his e-mail address.
M. Kloc, if you're out there, could you please send me an e-mail (or a reply posting here)--or anyone else who might have this info or some advice of their own. Thank you!
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Author: snowjacks
Date: 1999-04-30 21:52
Just one man's opinion, but I've seen the picture of this bass clarient on E-bay. It looks to me like the right hand C-F key is broken off, but the linkage and pad is there, making this a not-too-difficult repair. The instrument appears to be playable as-is with the left hand C-F key, but again the key word is "appears".
I can't speak for all shops, but my repairman would charge less than $100 to steal a key off an old parts clarinet and silver solder it into place. Beware, however, that one can never really tell without seeing the instrument.
If you're not willing to put up with some risk and some frustration finding the right repairman, don't bid on it. I have purchased five clarinets on e-bay and got stung once.
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 1999-04-30 22:41
I too looked over this bass clarinet very carefully on the ebay picture. It was not a very good picture, as far as up close detail, and snowjacks must have better eyes than me because I couldn't make out which key was missing. I would email the people and ask them which key was missing. There are "parts" horns out there, but it may take some time to find them. If it is just a lever broken off, it can be repaired fairly simply and easily as snowjacks stated in the previous post. As far as the factory keeping old key stock around, I'm afraid you stand a better chance winning the lottery! I'll have to check my old parts stock and if I have a fairly complete Evette & Schaeffer bass clarinet I'll let you know. If you bid on it, you are taking a chance. If you can get it cheap and find a key, you've made a good move. It's a gamble.
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 1999-05-02 01:47
Left you an email, but thought I would post here also. I do not have and Evette and Schaeffer "parts" bass clarinet.
J. Butler
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Author: ron
Date: 1999-05-03 06:56
Wayne -
Which key is missing? Is it German(nickel)silver, plated or ??? Generally it's not a major task to make one.
Ron
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Author: Lelia
Date: 1999-05-03 13:06
In high school, I snapped a key on my Conn Bb soprano clarinet. Since the keys on that instrument are pot-metal, the repairman couldn't solder the broken key back together, but he used the old sections to make a mold to cast a new key. It works fine. ( I don't know what my parents paid for the repair, but that was back in 1962 or 1963.) I'd want to know the probable cost of such a replacement before I got involved with an instrument with something missing, on the theory that cannibalizing a "parts" instrument might not be possible. Unless you know for sure that the "parts" horn is the exact same model, a key from it might not fit. Good luck!
Lelia
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Author: ron
Date: 1999-05-03 18:56
Good point, Lelia -
I was assuming a lot in my previous post. First, that the original key, or parts of the key, to Wayne's instrument no longer exists. Second, that whoever is going to fashion the replacement key has some equipment and experience silver soldering. Then the same for tools; a jewelers saw is nice but not essential. Hinge tube shorteners, pivot reamers or broaches, maybe some small taps and dies if you need to make up a new hinge and hinge screw are really hard to find substitutes for. Small files and fine sandpaper are handy too as well as a means to polish the final product. That's a lot of stuff for just one key. Also realize beforehand that the 'new' key will probably not be an exact match in 'color' to the original ones for that instrument. Cannibalizing works fine for a functional key if the part is close to what you want to end up with. It can be altered without too much trouble. Pad cups are probably the most difficult to make from scratch. Pot metal is worthless for any of this except, as you point out, for a model for casting a new part. Be wary of buying any horn from eBay for parts. Pix can be very deceiving.
And yes, Wayne, absolutely get a price before the work starts and, depending on how soon you want to use the horn, I'd recommend getting a firm delivery date. I took one of my horns to a shop for that same thing to be done. It was there for three months before I reclaimed it and did the job myself. I plan to do more of this so the investment in tools etc. is worth the initial cost to me.
Ron
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