 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rmr25
Date: 2004-04-04 01:23
I just finished refurbishing an older (late '50's) Conn Director. New corks, pads, and keywork adjustments. When I used the original Conn #3 mouthpiece, however, I could barely get any notes out of the lower joint (E,F G). They took a lot of air and some hard tonguing, and even that often produced screeches and squawks. Somewhere here I'd read that trying different mouthpieces might cure this. Sure enough, I found an old no-name something in the junk box. And it works fine! So far as I can tell, based on the ligature setting, the no-name has a wider chamber than the Conn #3. My question, though, is this: what's the acoustical phenomenon going on here?
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-04-04 03:40
I'm very reluctant to agree that it's the mouthpiece, rmr25.
It seems to me you're describing what occurs when you have shifting leaks.
After you finished refurbishing, did you check keys for 'side motion'? Ideally, you would have checked this before you started. With an instrument of that era it's almost certain there's some hinge wear. Assuming you got all the pads seated right it should play okay with any ol' mouthpiece. However, if the screws aren't snug or the hinge rods are worn, that condition will allow side to side key motion which will let the pads 'wander'. The problem you describe will continue until you correct it.
I've found that preparation is as much, if not more, important than the actual padding procedure.
The minimum basics I use are:
1. Check screws
2. Check for bent or loose keys
3. Check corks
Correct those things if necessary. Then proceed with padding.
If there's any significant key shift, you can adjust 'til the cows come home and it'll still give you fits....
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-04-04 15:31
Assuming you didn't play the horn prior to refurbishing.......you can't be sure that the mouthpiece worked very well in the first place. I have had instances where my experience was the same as yours and a different mouthpiece solved the problem. Never did solve the mystery.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-04-04 19:43
Did the squeeking mouthpiece fit firmly in the barrel, or is there a chance that you had leaks there?
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Author: rmr25
Date: 2004-04-04 21:33
Guys:
Thanks for the suggestions. In reverse order: the squeeking mpc has new cork and is tight, just like the no-name. I didn't get to use the squeeker beforehand, although it does play ok on a couple of other horns I've got here. As for loose/bent keys, etc. I replaced pivot screws where necessary and a couple of weak springs on the lower joint. I'd also checked for slop in the keys/pad cups but didn't see anything significant. I use those rubber stoppers to check for air leaks. They're pretty foolproof; everything was fully tight by that test.
Anyway, thanks for your help.
Bob
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