 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: r small
Date: 2019-12-04 03:50
I'm considering this instrument and am curious about the optional ergonomic register key. I would like to hear from players that have this key on their Libertas or have played a Libertas with this key. Being primarily a sax player it seems like a good feature.
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2019-12-04 05:07
When I first played a Libertas with the ergonomic key, it felt weird to me. After about 20 minutes, I got used to it, and now I can switch back and forth between the Libertas and my Yamaha CS, and it makes no difference. I honestly don't consider it to be an advantage or a disadvantage - it's just different, and easy to adjust to. I play sax as well, but clarinet is my main instrument. As primarily a sax player, it might be of great benefit to you - it certainly won't do any harm!
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Author: Bonnie
Date: 2019-12-04 06:19
I have a Libertas. It came with the ergonomic key. At first, I adapted to it pretty well. However, as time went on, I found that when I go back and forth between the Libertas and my R-13 or L7, my thumb sort of stumbled on the ergonomic key. I finally contacted Ted and bought a "regular" register key and swapped it out.
bdskees@comcast.net
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2019-12-04 06:36
I own one that I only play occasionally now and find it really makes no difference to me either way.
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2019-12-04 11:36
I’ve got murderers’ thumbs and for whatever reason the ergonomic key feels better to me. But only slightly. Honestly, you should just try it with the ergonomic key and if you don’t like it you can always swap it out for a regular one.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2019-12-04 17:58
I had no trouble with the register key on my old Buffet. I bought a used 576, and later, a new Libertas. I prefer the 576/Libertas register key, but it doesn't make much of a difference to me.
I suggest you make your decision based on matters other than the register key. Other than the key plating, I have been very satisfied with the Libertas.
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Author: r small
Date: 2019-12-04 19:00
Thanks for all of the responses. So from what I gather there are no real negatives to the ergonomic key and some people find it a slight positive. I've played clarinets for many years and have not really had any problems with the straight position register key except for a little pain where my thumb contacts the key, which is at the left corner of the thumb tip next to the thumbnail. The pinch Bb in particular can be a little painful. The ergonomic key looks like it would solve this problem. I have the same issue on bass clarinets too. Basses with the sax type register key, like Selmer basses, are very comfortable. But basses with the in line register key, like the Ridenour low Eb, tend to be painful.
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2019-12-04 19:13
I think this is a very personal thing. I have a Libertas and several other clarinets I play, and found that for me switching back and forth between the ergonomic register key and a regular register key on my other clarinets wasn't working for me. When I consulted Tom about replacing it with a regular register key he suggested simply grinding off the part that falls below the top of the thumb hole, which leaves the broader thumb touch above the thumb hole intact. Works like a charm for me. It's actually easlier for me to use than a standard register key but poses no problems for me when I switch to it from one of my other clarinets. A very useful middle path to replacing the entire ergonomic key with a standard one for anyone having problems with the ergonomic key.
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2019-12-05 05:20
r small wrote:
"Hi Ken. Did you do the work yourself or use a tech?"
I guess you could say a "tech", although I think that calling Tom Ridenour a tech would be a monumental understatement. 
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Author: r small
Date: 2019-12-05 05:46
So Tom did the work. I'm always interested in hearing the opinions of woodwind techs concerning the quality of instruments. They have insights that go beyond how an instrument sounds or plays. Such as strength of key work, ease of adjusting, durability, etc. For example my tech tells me that Leblanc key work is stronger than Buffet key work. This is something that a typical player wouldn't know.
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