 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2006-01-11 04:28
Can unplated keys be plated?
how about nickle plated keys? can they be silver plated?
How much would it cost to have a clarinet silver plated?
Is it worth it?
Post Edited (2006-01-11 04:32)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-01-11 06:21
I'm basing my answers on logic. I don't have any experience plating keys.
1. Yes.
2. Yes, if you take the plating off.
3. I'm guessing a lot but don't know.
4. Usualy no, unless there is a reason you really need silver plating instead of nickel.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-11 06:58
Unplated keys can be silver plated, but they must be cleaned up and well prepared beforehand - ie. remove all scratches, pitting and other blemishes before getting them plated.
Nickel plated keys CAN be plated with silver without removing the nickel - and the existing nickel plate will also give a nice smooth surface for silver to go onto.
In the UK, silver plating could cost around £100 for a set of keys, pillars, rings and other fittings. But that's only for the plating.
If the clarinet is of a reputable make and model, then yes. If not (or even if it's a student model), then it will be uneconomical as the value of the clarinet won't increase at all.
There's a lot of work involved in having keys silver plated as this means a complete strip down and rebuild, as well as refitting all the keys as they will all have increased in size with the amount of silver that's plated onto them.
Have a read at this thread:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=203463&t=203463
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2006-01-11 07:13)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-01-11 12:41
Don't forget the cost of repadding and respringing. There are a number of BIG dealer/repair places that offer a full overhaul/replating for $800 or so per horn. Don't forget gold - add another $150.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2006-01-12 00:08
Paul,
I would love to get $800 for an overhaul but I like to be able to sleep at night also.
wtf,
1. Unplated keys can be plated after they have been polished and degreased.
2. Anderson Silver plate will not warranty silver plate over nickel. They insist that the nickel be removed first. Rex Bullock of Ed Myers in San Antonio, Tx will plate over nickel and warranty his work. I guess this is a difference in philosophy.
3. Silver plating adds $150-$200 above overhaul prices unless the shop upcharges for the cost of the plating. This figure includes shipping costs to/from the platers.
4. Depends on what you want and can afford.
jbutler
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-12 07:37
I always insist on having a nickel flash under the silver plate, and have never had any adhesion problems. Only problem with nickel is if it's applied too thick - it blunts reamers and fraising tools and is hard to cut through.
But I have had adhesion problems when a copper flash has been used, the plating peeled off like foil leaving copper underneath.
But the company that I now prefer (that does Buffet's castings and plating) will plate with no nickel or copper flash, and the results are spectacular. I've just had a set of oboe and cor anglais keys back from him and the finish is flawless!
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