 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2004-01-06 23:47
I am always looking for clarinets to add to my collection and came across this one that looked unusual. First of all it is a military issue. Second, take a look at what appears to be a wrap around register key on a Boehm system.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-07 02:23
I've seen those wrap around register keys. I notice them more on Oehler horns but have seen them on Boehm systems. I can't seem to recall which specific makers . . . or the advantages, except that it's out of the way of condensation. But plenty of clarinets use it so don't let that be a deciding factor.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-01-07 02:39
Hello, Jean;
The wrap around register key is not uncommon for Boehm clarinets manufactured through the fifties. They look cool and it's a good design for horns that didn't extend the register tube into the bore, for acoustic reasons and to prevent water getting in it. Several companies that made both systems contracted with the military for a long time. I understand the quality of the majority of military instruments [for the time (WWII)] is a little above average while a few are in the good category. Personally, I'd be a little leery if I couldn't try it before buying.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-01-07 22:24
I have two Buffets (A & Bb) 1919/1920 with wrap around register and "doughnut" keys. My impression of the wrap around register key is although it doesn't get water logged it is hard to adust and keep in adjustment. Specially when they have a high silver content like mine, look at it cross eyed and it's bent.
The newest Buffet/Fischer clarinets I have seen with wrap around registers "and doughnut keys" are serial # 1XX, 2XX which date them from 1928.
Since we are talking about antiques does anyone know if Buffet made single Bb clarinets in the 1905-1922 time frame with the doughnut key? The only ones I have found are part of matched sets (A & Bb). Further, does anyone know the exact time frame during which doughnut key clarinets were made?
Oh yes, and if you think the wrap around register is hard to adjust and keep in adjustment try playing a doughnut key on the daily basis. I am now fully aware of why Buffet stopped making them.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
Post Edited (2004-01-10 02:37)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-01-08 14:49
A good friend, playing 2nd in our local symp, has several [Boehm 17/6] Buffs of the 20's vintage, with wrap-arounds, but not doughnuts, which he prefers. He has had them pro-repaired/tuned/adjusted after careful EBAY purchase. Another in his "collection" has an articulated C#/G# mechanism whose structure defeated my attempts at adjusting/improving [it was quite different from my old Selmer mechanisms]. I believe he had Tom Ridenour solve that puzzle. Buffet was quite inventive in that transition time from Albert to Boehm. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-01-10 03:16
Don't get me wrong, I love old Buffets, I learned and play on a 1953. This 1920 doughnut key Bb plays great just drives you nuts keeping the leaks away. On top of that the key spacing is different. On my Buffet (1953) the spacing between the second and third finger right hand holes is 14.93 mm and on the antique it's 14.24 mm. To make matters worse the clarion F# key is 3.44 mm wide on a modern insturment and 4.22 mm on the antique.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
Post Edited (2004-01-10 03:20)
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2004-01-10 14:43
I have a Buffet Bb from 1912 with the wrap around register key and without the donut key.
As far as the donut key goes. Once it is properly adjusted, you shouldn't have any trouble with it (sealing) for a long time. (Getting used to playing it is a personnel matter.)
I have never had a wrap around register key get bent out of adjustment (once adjusted). The source of trouble is assembly and disassembly of the clarinet. Where do you grab the upper joint during assembly /disassembly?
Regards
Mark
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-01-10 17:06
I know what a wrap around register key is, but not sure what donut refers to....someone pleeze post a jpg. of this mechanism...
BTW...I prefer custard to jelly if they are filled
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-01-10 23:13
A FINE pic, Mark, TKS, does it make possible a ?good? Eb/Bb by the 1/3 left fingers fork fingering?, as in the later versions with the small tone hole? Have seen it, but not played it. TKS, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2004-01-10 23:51
Don,
I do not own the clarinet in the picture. Mine is an "LP" from 1912, has the wrap around register key but not the donut key. The picture I hunted down was to show my daughter what a donut key was, and why I wanted to avoid them. I was surprised I still had it. So, I can't tell you how it plays. I'm sure however, that someone on the board can.
Regards
Mark
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-01-11 03:41
Attachment: p1100006a.jpg (51k)
Mark, here is a photo of the doughnut key on my Bb. I finally won the war with mine and put a piece of hard nylon/plastic where the cork used to be under the set screw. I always wondered if someone had modified my instrument to make it a bit more quiet and whether the set screw had originally ridden directly on the metal.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
Post Edited (2004-01-11 04:07)
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2004-01-11 14:30
Bill28099,
Looks great. I'm glad the nylon /plastic worked for you. I usually use a piece of leather from an old sax pad.
I have seem instruments where the set screw had been filled off and replaced with a cork spacer. Probably, as you said, to quiet the key work.
Best Regards
Mark
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