 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Linus Travelli
Date: 2002-06-13 19:57
i'm thinking of removing all my keys to take off the tarnish.
do you think I can do this? would I need a repairman or something? are there like minute adjustments that need to be made by a repairman? or can i just unscrew them all carefully and put them back on in order?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Linus Travelli
Date: 2002-06-13 19:59
oh yeah...i'd be very very careful not to damage the pads.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: RonD
Date: 2002-06-13 20:20
Unless you realy know how to put it back and properly adjust the keys and springs you are in big trouble. And that dosent even cover the chance of damage to screw heads by useing improper tools.
If you knew enough to do this you would not have to ask if its possable.
Save your self a big problem and take it to a qualified repair person.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-06-13 20:36
If the idea interests you, I suggest you ask a repairperson to
show you how to do it or you can first take apart a very old
instrument that you wouldn't care if it didn't work out. I was
just curious and began this way with an old Bundy of mine. Luckily,
I have a good friend who is a repairman and he showed me a few
tricks. My advice: be gentle and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Kristen D.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-13 20:48
It's up to you, Linus.
The "key" to doing this is in what you say - 'unscrew them all carefully and put them back on in order' and 'be very careful not to damage the pads'
Be careful with the cork too.
Are there minute adjustments that need to be made? Yes.
Do they need to be made by a repairman? Not necessarily.
Who knows better than you whether you can do this yourself, Linus?
I have no idea. I don't know you or your abilities. If you've never done it before, and are serious about doing it right, I suggest you ask a repair tech to show you how. It's well worth the time and expense (yes, offer to pay for her/his time). It's fine to do your own maintenance - correctly. Most techs would encourage you to take care of the small stuff yourself. Doing it right can save you money in the long run. Doing it haphazardly can cost you -- lost parts (screws, springs etc.) and mis-adjustment(s) will need correction... by a tech if you don't yet know how.
It's up to you, Linus
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2002-06-13 20:59
However under NO circumstances should you take out the posts yourself unless you are a qualified repair tech.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-13 21:20
Ah, YES. Good point, Dee. Thank you. I overlooked that, as well as a few others, I'm sure. Most techs, even super-qualified ones, reeeeallly don't like to mess with posts. Unless the threads are stripped or the post is already loose, leave 'em alone.
It's also best not to try bending springs at this point either.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinet713
Date: 2002-06-14 03:51
It's funny that this post just came up because I just had a small ordeal------my teacher has told me that it's a good idea to learn how to take the clarinet apart and just know how it works mechanically, so I decided a couple of weeks ago to try it out on my Artley. I had some problems though and something happened to one of the springs (Eb key) and I couldn't figure out what had happened, so I ended up taking it to the repair shop because I will be needing it this summer when playing some outdoor concerts and stuff-and when I told him what I did, he kind of looked at me funny. However, he did end up feeling bad for me because I'm a student and only charged me $3. I also had an offer to come into the repair shop and hang around sometime. So really this whole ordeal was quite an educational experience for me! I would definitely NOT take apart your good instrument unless you REALLY know what you are doing-at least that's how I am. I see it like this, my clarinet is like my baby-taking the clarinet apart is kind of like an operation-so would you really want to operate on your own child????? I wouldn't-so therefore, I don't attempt to do anything to it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-14 06:49
It seems odd to me that your teacher, who suggested you tinker with your clarinet, didn't show you how. It's a step by step process. You need to be extra careful if you tinker with your horn again, it's real easy to over-tighten Artley pivots. Take the shop guy up on the offer, c'713 If he's like the techs I know, he'll be happy to show you a thing or two, at least maybe put you at ease about doing minor adjustments yourself.
Wouldn't hurt to mention to your teacher what happened, maybe you'll get a three dollar discount on your next lesson.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-06-14 13:05
The problem with the Eb/Ab spring.... On most clarinets this spring needs to be hooked into the cradle BEFORE the key pivot rod is inserted. If it is done AFTER the key is mounted the spring will probably lose tension in the process of hookng it into the spring cradle. Especially with an Artley. :-)
The same often applies to F/C, and sometimes other keys, especially when thick stainless steel springs are used.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2002-06-14 15:01
Takeing all of the keys off of my clarinets and cleaning them (as well as the tone holes) used to be a yearly ritual and never caused me any additional trips to the repair shop. In my "old" I've grown a bit lazy and now opt for regular "tweeks" by my local favorite repairperson, Mary. But I can find no reason for not doing it yourself, if your careful not to damage any corks or pads--or change the spring tensions--and put all keys back in the same order and manner in which they were removed. Also, clean and reoil the rod screws before reinserting them. Be certain to use the proper size screw driver so as no to damage the heads. And do not dismantle your clarinet over a carpeted floor--if you drop any little screws--and you probably will--they will be almost impossible to relocate. On a wood floor, you can at least hear them land--unless you have lost too much of your hearing to the clarinets higher register. Be careful, and good luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-14 15:24
What an amazing good set of replies and all good advice. I especially like Kris's suggestion to "do it" on an old used job first...that's the best way to learn what not to do. I can almost guarantee you that in the process you will lose a pivot screw.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinet713
Date: 2002-06-14 16:49
My teacher did show me how to do it-sorry I didn't mention that. I just forgot to do what Gordon said in his post (he showed me a couple months ago how to do it). It really wasn't a big deal and now I know and will remember! :-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-06-15 15:34
For some makes/models of clarinet, especially professsional ones, the process may be simple as William writes.
Hoevever there are other models which need a variety of tricks such as the springs I mentioned above. Many players/teachers will not be aware of these idiosycrasies that are specific to makes/models.
You are fortunate that you have aqn astute teacher.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2002-06-15 16:20
FYI--I did not mean to suggest that dismantling and reassembling your clarinet was "simple." What I tried to say is that it was possible to do if you are meticulous and careful in the process. My expeiance has been with Selmers and Buffets.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-06-16 02:49
I did not mean simple in that sense. What I meant was that instruments like Buffet & Selmer do not have so many little quirks that need to be allowed for, such as the two springs I mention.
Another example is that I have come across significant damage (loose posts & damaged timber)because somebody has screwed a headless pibvot screw too far in. This is not an issue with Buffet and Selmer which have headed pivot screws. anybody working on an instrument with 'sensitive' idiosyncrasies needs to know what they are, or there is significant potential for significant damage.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-06-16 15:08
Linus - Lots of fine advice above from both pro and "amateur" repairers, I'm of the latter. Re: more complex keying, such as the articulated C#/G#, which may have opposing springing, as does register keying, on basses in particular, you had best leave those to the pros, at least until you have several repair lessons. Re: losing pivot screws [and rods?], have forethought, put an opened newspaper or other under where you work and/or have a good magnet available for the search !! Luck, be careful to NOT go beyond your present ability. Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
