 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2003-01-08 03:04
I am wondering what the experienced technical types think of the new gizmo that Buffet is selling - a plastic tube shaped affair with a spring loaded hook that inserts into the tenon cup of the lower joint with the hook holding down the clarion B key to keep the lower right pads depressed on their tone holes - in terms of its 1) utility, and 2) any possible ill effects over time. I bought one from the Muncys when they were in town for a master class - should I use it on my clarinet or as an expensive nose clip for the pool?
All time gageteer - The Doctor
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-01-08 03:32
Hi Doc:
Got two gizmos from David Hite about a month ago.
They work just fine! Holds the "B/E" key down just like the old hair band did for years, but works better.
No ill effects, so maybe Buffet came up with something good this time?
Good luck,
JJM
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2003-01-08 03:37
kia ora
some years ago a Canadian Clarinetist i knew showed me these strips of velcro that he used to hold his f/c and e/b keys shut when the clarinet was not in use. I found it very easy to make the same thing out of velcro- basically just straps that hold the keys shut (i usually put cigarette paper under the pads).
the plastic thing from Buffet (i can't remember where i got mine from, but i've had it for a few years) does exactly the same thing, only it would be more difficult to replace if it was lost.
I find that having the pads held shut has no long term ill effects, and gives these lower notes a firmer more positive feel. The the pad gives a "positive feel" when it closes, making for a "clean feel" to the action.
that being said, it really is only a small difference- i usually only bother with it for a couple of days before a big concert, and i couldn't say for sure that the positive benefits last for long once you un-clamp the keys. i would say that the "positive feeling" lasts for at least half an hour, but i couldn't vouch for longer.
in addition, the improvement probably has an inverse relationship to the quality/firmness of the pads installed.
donald
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bob gardner
Date: 2003-01-08 03:44
I have had one for about a year and use it only when I'm taking the horm away from home. It seems to be a good idea.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2003-01-08 04:44
Sax players have been using pad hold down gizmos, clamps?, for as long as I can remember. I think there are three separate sax clamps (upper stack, lower stack, bell keys). The idea is to keep the (open)pads seated(closed) when not in use to retain their impressions of the tone holes. I haven't seen, or even heard of Buffets' clarinet gizmo 'til now, Doc, but I don't know that it would hurt anything. The proof of any gizmo's worth is whether it works. I don't know why it wouldn't. Posts above sound positive about it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2003-01-08 05:29
The Buffet clarinet key clamp is a product that was long overdue. It certainly is more convenient than the elastic hair ties I was using (and also less embarrassing than having to ask your section mates if they've seen the pink hair tie that you've just misplaced).
I bought a handful of the key clamps and leave them on all my clarinets. They keep a nice pad impression on the 2 lowest pads and most importantly, keep the clarinet tightly closed when traveling.
After using them for about a year, there are no ill effects to be reported.
They also make nice birthday gifts/xmas presents for your younger students...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jon Usher
Date: 2003-01-08 05:49
An added plus is that by keeping the key closed, the inside of the case doesn't wear away the side of the pad over time. I use them on my Eaton clarinets (I know... such sacrilege !)
Jon Usher
Clarinet Instructor
Cal State San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
"The man who hath no music in his soul is not a man to be trusted."
-Willy Shakespeare-
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2003-01-08 13:56
The Car Talk guys have a chicken soup coordinator: Kent Hoyt.
As ron b says, saxophonists use them all the time, and so do a lot of flutists. Buffets ship (or used to) with cork wedges holding the pads closed, presumably to create an impression of the cup rims on the pads.
According to Kalmen Opperman, you shouldn't put cigarette paper under the pads. It stops sticking, but forces the pad to conform to something other than the way it needs to seat. I tried using cigarette papers on my bass clarinet, but got lots of tiny leaks and a substantial repair bill. If a pad sticks, slide a dollar bill under it, press the key down and pull the dollar out.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-01-08 14:52
Back when I was having a bass cl squeeking problem, lower clarion notes, I traced it to my left thumb pad [brown leather] seating. My solution was, after playing/drying, I simply used a rubber band [nickel-silver keys] to keep the F/F# pads closed until next use. Worked fine, no longer needed! Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2003-01-08 16:48
Ken Shaw- thanks for passing on the info from Kal Opperman re cig papers, unfortunately in NZ and europe the paper money is made with plastic (to make it last longer!) so doesn't absorb moisture... but when i'm at Clarinetfest 2003 i'll look around for a really clean US$1 bill.
cheers- donald
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Massa
Date: 2003-01-08 16:51
A rubber band will tarnish silver.
Don't leave it on the instrument for a long time.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-01-08 21:06
If you bought this thing you have been ripped off. All buffet clarinets have these clamps for shipping and they are removed at the pre-sale stage. I hope you didn't pay much as they are free anyway. They are to hold the long key down during shipping to avoid damage and function in the same way as saxohpone key clamps used by travelling players. They stop the key work getting damaged and the pad surface from being damaged also and keep the seating. Teir effectiveness is a topic for debate but they are highly recommended by Steve Goodson.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2003-01-09 00:28
Mark Pinner is correct. I got several of them from my local Buffet dealer who was just throwing them away. I don't have them now, as I used them myself in shipping clarinets. Ask your dealer for them if you are buying a new Buffet.
Secondly, I am a great believer in the pad clamps for saxophones. My pads stay seated, correctly, for a much longer period of time.
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2003-01-09 02:29
I must be the object of P.T. Barnum's famous saying because I paid U.S. $7.95 for the gizmo - so everyone run down to their Buffet dealer and pick up a handful before they find out they can get money for the things and sell them to the unsuspecting - better than playing for change on the street corner!
The Doctor
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2003-01-09 02:42
Doc...Don't feel so bad.
When I first noticed the key clamps a year ago on a new E11 that a student of mine had bought, I called the WW/BW in NYC to inquire about buying a few. At that time, the clamps were not listed in their catalog (we now know why) but they said they had lots of them available (again, we now know why). When I asked the price for each, it was a question the rep was not expecting because his answer was: "$3.00??" (obviously a number just pulled from the sky).
The next time I called to order a few more, the price had "changed" to $5.00.
Now they are at $7.95? Fascinating.
A textbook example of supply and demand...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-01-09 22:48
Agreed: Muncy asks $7.95 U.S. for these "Buffet clarinet key clamps". I located a place in Canada that asks less for them, but still they should cost a buck or two at the most. Not many places have them, so the lack of supply means the dealer can ask what he wants for them.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: george
Date: 2003-01-09 23:02
I've heard these things are bad for the springs...does anyone know?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Henry
Date: 2003-01-09 23:29
The benefit of key clamps, at least for saxes, is quite controversial. I do have them myself for my alto sax, but do not use them regularly. I am surprised that they haven't been discussed as extensively, if at all, on this BB, as they have on <www.saxontheweb.net>
Henry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Henry
Date: 2003-01-09 23:32
Sorry, the web site I intended to include somehow didn't print.
It is www.saxontheweb.net
Henry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rick
Date: 2003-01-10 14:59
My tech gave me one made from something similar used on flutes. Works fine. When my wife asked what it was I told her it was orthodontics for clarinets.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2003-01-11 15:20
If pads stick, facial cosmetic papers are better than dollar bill or Euro. They are very much thinner and designed to remove oil or water.
Like this:
http://www.penshoppe.com/personalCARE/facialpaper.html
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
