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Key plating cost, silver vs. nickel

Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-03-25 14:02

Yes, silver tarnishes more rapidly; and yes, some players seem to be allergic to nickel. Indeed, some players even have corrosive sweat that eats most plating away pretty rapidly. Some people even go to the expense of having keys gold plated.

But what about the cost difference between silver and nickel plating? While preparing to toss out an old (2001) catalog from WW/BW, glancing through it a bit revealed some interesting list price differences. Buffet wanted the standard R13 Bb to sell for $360 more with silver-plated keys rather then nickel, yet the A Clarinet of the same model was only $320 more. Curious, as the A-pitch instrument has larger keys, and $40 would buy over half a pound of silver. Leblanc's Clarinets available with either plating finish, on the other hand, had a consistent $250 higher price for silver -- except for the Infinté, which was $350 higher.

Excuse me, but all this seems a bit nuts.

My older Leblanc (fondly remembered) had "nickel silver" keys with no plating at all. That seemed to work just fine.

Regards,
Joh

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