 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2003-10-21 04:58
I'm getting a squeak when tonguing G (just above the staff). If I slur into it, no problem. Some days the horn does it, and some days it doesn't. I've had the horn into the shop 3 times, but the repairman isn't finding it. I've got another bass clarinet here, and I can't make it squeak. Mine is a Selmer Series 9. What causes can you suggest?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: graham
Date: 2003-10-21 08:30
What is the make and model of the one that does not squeak? Which is the better instrument in other aspects?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hans
Date: 2003-10-21 12:07
Ken,
Here is a list of things that you could look for.
Regards,
Hans
Causes of Squeaks
a dry reed
accidentally touching a key
the middle joint "bridge" in a clarinet is not properly aligned
using a "wrong" fingering instead of a better alternate
a finger not covering a hole
a pad not seating properly
a weak spring not holding a key closed
keys out of adjustment (e.g., the A key)
uncoordinated fingering
a leaking joint
a cracked instrument (in a wood clarinet)
too much mouthpiece in the mouth
a burr on the mouthpiece top rail
misapplied lip pressure
a reed is split
the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece
a reed is too thin at the center of the tip or is stiffer on one
side than the other
a poorly designed or warped mouthpiece (a warped mouthpiece can
be refaced)
the mouthpiece baffle (the slanted top inside the tip) is too
high
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-10-21 14:40
First, a free experiment. Move the reed up slightly -- maybe the width of a thin pencil line. The longer facing of the bass mouthpiece means that if you set up the reed even with the mouthpiece tip (as on soprano), when the reed wraps along the lay, it may leak near the tip, particularly at the corners.
If this doesn't work, check the pad closed by the left ring finger and the C#/G# pad, both of which are notoriously prone to leak on the bass clarinet. Also, the C#/G# pad works on opposing springs, so it often leaks. If you have the articulated mechanism, putting any right-hand finger down presses the C#/G# pad closed, which is why the F may work fine. A good check is to play first-ledger-line A and press your left ring finger down as slowly and gently as possible. If it takes any extra pressure to get to the G, the pad, and maybe the rim, need attention.
Another possibility is a leak in the middle joint. If there's any looseness at all, try wrapping a strip of newspaper around the cork.
Finally, it's posible that you could have a leaky solder joint in the neck, or possibly a leak between the neck and the body.
Bass repair really needs a pro. It's much more finicky than soprano.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-10-21 14:41
I recently had a (possibly) similar problem on my own bass, in this case an intermittently sticking upper stack key. Turns out the cause was a loose intermediate post along the stack, one which carries a needle spring --- the spring tension was causing the post to rotate and bind the rod going through it --- one more thing for you to check.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-10-21 15:10
Ken, You have received many $'s worth of advice from our experts already on possible causes. You have a real "grocery-list" of things to check out, I agree you had better find an expert B C repairer to do so. On what BC's I've worked on, I have also found the top-of-staff G in partic., maybe the A also, to be "marginal". My thots as to reason are that, the noteis/are "vented" [possibly insufficiently] by the top pad on lower joint [?too far away?], thus making it more difficult to make it speak. This problem is also evident on other UJ/LJ [2 piece-body] cls, but may be "cured" to some extent on single body horns. This [may be] another "mfgr. defect" like poorly located tone holes for the "standard" C#/G# and register vents. Have now vented my IMHO's !! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2003-10-22 04:05
Oh Graham, you sly dog! As you well know, the horn that doesn't squeak is an Amati, which by coincidence, I'm borrowing from you, which, by further coincidence, you might be willing to part with for a sufficient consideration. . . . . . The Amati is a fine horn, and is emphatically not squeaking. My Series 9 is particularly well liked by me because I've had 3 of the pinky keys for the left hand extended. I find it so ergonomically superior, that I have difficulty playing anything else. The Series 9 also projects more solidly. That said, the Amati is a fine horn, and with proper extensions to the left hand keys, and some experimentation to get a mouthpiece that plays well on it, would be perfectly satisfactory. I'm going to take this list of suggestions from all of you, and put it on my music stand where I can see it while I do more research. It is quite a good list of suggestions. Thank you very much!!! By the way, do any of you know of any good bass clarinet specialists in NW Washington State? I've been taking my horn to Allen Signs "The Horn Shop", in Bellingham. Allen is good, but he doesn't play bass clarinet, which limits him in his ability to evaluate the instrument.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-10-22 14:03
Ken -
Peter Spriggs is reasonably close by in B.C. His web site shows him playing a bass, and he's done excellent work for me. He has a US delivery site, so there's no problems with customs.
Best regards.
Ken Shhaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: graham
Date: 2003-10-23 14:03
Hi Ken
I hope the Graham who owns the Amati gives you a good price. All I own is an old Chabot bass, which is not for sale (and which I am very attached to) but is really trying in the upper register. But thanks for telling about the Amati. I will now visit their web site to see if they do a C extension instrument.
Graham
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
