 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2020-06-29 16:40
I’ve been playing a Bb/A pair of these. They were bought a year apart but both have an issue with the F#/C# lever keys. I assume this is a factory set feature as both have it. When playing around the pinkey lever keys there’s a real kick from this key which I feel over the whole instrument and find really off putting. Spring tension could be a cause but tension on this closed cup hole is a difficult balance between loose enough to move the lever and tight enough to keep a good seal. I find it hard to believe Yamaha would get it so wrong as to leave all CSGs with the spring tension too heavy. Has anyone else found this, is there a cure, or am I just supposed to get used to it (which I don’t think I can)?
Thanks
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2020-06-29 16:49
Most clarinets come with heavy spring tensions. When reducing the spring tension it is sometimes necessary to change the pad so that the key still seals. Also, the pad type influences how much bounce there is.
Steve Ocone
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2020-06-29 17:05
Hi Steve,
These cups have white leather pads, as on all the lower joint/lever keys. Feel of the key is ok, it’s not hard to press and I’d say tension about right. Lighter and it would probably leak. What sort of pad might be better?
Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-06-29 19:00
There's the added extra dead weight of the LH F#/C# lever as it's pinned to the linkage which will also contribute to the F#/C# key bounce if the spring tension isn't adequate.
Yamaha spring tensions are usually on the heavy side from the factory (especially the ring key springs that don't need to be that heavily sprung), but some closed keys still need the spring tension on the heavy side.
The geometry of the F#/C# pad cup and arm is wrong on most clarinets - the arm is too short (the tonehole is too close to the key rod) and if the pad used is even slightly too thick, it'll close too light or leak at the front and it's not an easy pad cup to adjust the angle on if you have to.
Count yourself lucky it's not a Buffet as their F#/C# keys have a short and light gauge spring mounted on the key and the free end is in the slot in the wood making it difficult to balance, which is why I routinely respring them with a much longer and heavier gauge spring mounted in the pillar.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2020-06-30 13:01
Thanks Chris P,
Are you saying I need the spring to be stronger, not lighter (as I assumed), although Yamaha spring tension is generally too high?
Surprised other CSG users haven’t chipped in on this as this must be a common problem. It’s that bad I just don’t think I can get used to it.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-06-30 16:24
If the spring tension is too light, the weight of the LH lever will make the bounce worse, so I'd be inclined to beef up the spring tension of the F#/C# key and see if that improves things.
Even unlinked LH levers can bounce around and that can be felt by the player - I've heard several Buffet players complain about feeling the LH Ab/Eb lever rebounding when they use the Ab/Eb key with their right pinkie. There's hardly any room to fit flat springs to the LH levers to help reduce key bounce on most clarinets.
The F/C key spring tension can be lightened being an open standing key, likewise with the E/B key and that won't make the F#/C# key feel too heavy.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2020-06-30 16:43
Perhaps a newer leather pad would dampen some of the force of the key - especially if it is installed without clamping it down (a common procedure).
Steve Ocone
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-06-30 17:22
I wanted to chime in but I have no issues with the original CSG. But there is no alternate L Ab/Eb lever either.
Making the tension greater necessitates taking a number of the keys off the horn. Not a difficult home repair but one I don't enjoy for a a small issue.
.............Paul Aviles
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