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Question for techs- advice needed fixing 1911 Buffet.

Author: m1964
Date: 2026-03-24 04:16

Hi,
I need help in restoring a 1911 Buffet (in A).
It has a "doughnut" key cup on the upper joint. There was a cork pad there but it did not seal well.
I probably can make a cork pad (OD16mm, ID 7mm), but wonder if I could use a flute pad or use a Valentino pad as a starting point.
Maybe take a 16mm Valentino pad and make a 7mm hole in it?

Thank you.

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Re: Question for techs- advice needed fixing 1911 Buffet.

Author: clarnibass
Date: 2026-03-24 11:49

Can you post a photo? Just curious because I don't think I've seen a clarinet with a 16mm pad on the upper section that wasn't a bass clarinet (I assume it's not a bass since you didn't mention it).

As far as the pad, you can make it from any pad that you punch/drill/mill/cut a hole in. Cork, leather, synthetic, bladder. As long as it seals it's fine, though I personally wouldn't use bladder since the skin can flap around, depending on the shape of the key.

If the cork pad didn't seal because of (even very small) chips in the tone hole, and/or it's unlevel, then consider if you have a way to repair that. If not then a pad more accommodating than cork would likely seal better (of course it's better to repair that regardless).

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