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Leblanc 350 Eb Contra Alto Extension

Author: CCO_woodwinduser
Date: 2019-09-26 18:42

Last year I purchased a low C paperclip contra alto and this year I plan to build an extension for it down to the next low C.
I would like to know what sources to read about placement of tone holes and the best mechanisms to use for this project.

So far I have decided that I will need to create an interlocking pedal board similar to a piano and have started thinking of ways to use bicycle brake wires to avoid four foot rods. I have also decided on making sure the extension is a separate piece with its own floor peg.
I know this extension would be mostly musically useless, but I still want to know what I could do with this extended range.

Many thanks in advance.

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Re: Leblanc 350 Eb Contra Alto Extension

Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-09-26 19:35

You mean an octave below low C? That would certainly be unique...

I'm currently finishing up a homemade Boehm system octocontralto clarinet so I would be happy to give you some advice. For the keywork, you absolutely need to learn how to braze (silver solder) before you begin. You can get a basic oxygen-propane torch for $60 from most large hardware stores. I would make the keys out of brass or nickel stock. I would also start acquiring broken saxophones and bass clarinets for parts.

Here's a video I made on making keys on my instrument:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOjF2vC3oS8&app=desktop

I would recommend you at least make the first prototype out of PVC as it is cheap and easy to work with. What I do is buy more PVC than I need and just start drilling holes until I find the correct location. I then drill the correct holes on another piece of PVC. This method is fairly reliable and avoids a lot of complex math.

Hope this helps.

-Jdbassplayer

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Re: Leblanc 350 Eb Contra Alto Extension

Author: CCO_woodwinduser
Date: 2019-09-28 05:03

Thank you for the advice. The video will come in very handy once I begin with a final product.
I do have some more questions however.
1. I looked up the bore size of my contra and found that my two best options for pvc pipe are either 1" or 1.25" diameter. Which should I choose, if either?
2. I will begin looking for spare instrument keys in the near future, but is there a way I can fashion my own keys out of pipe caps and sax pads in the mean time?
3. What methods should I use to place the tone holes? I don't mind complex math to get as accurate as possible, I just need a source to begin learning that placement.
4. What mechanisms should I consider to avoid long rods? For example, I remember watching a demonstration of the contraforte that showed a bicycle brake wire used.

Once again, many thanks in advance.
I will post design and build progress if requested.

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Re: Leblanc 350 Eb Contra Alto Extension

Author: ebonite
Date: 2019-09-28 11:23

CCO_woodwinduser wrote:

> 3. What methods should I use to place the tone holes? I don't
> mind complex math to get as accurate as possible, I just need a
> source to begin learning that placement.

There is some useful information here:

http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/Mathematics.html

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