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E/F Key Adjustment

Author: Bill_D
Date: 2004-04-19 12:27

I hope I get the terminology correct.

When I depress the E key (left little finger), the E pad is snug when tested with a cigarette paper feeler guage. However, the F pad does not close enough to cover the tone hole.

What are the causes of this problem, and what are the steps to correct it (besides taking it to my local repair tech)?

I have several repair books, but did not find an adequate explanation about the procedure to make this adjustment.

Bill

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Re: E/F Key Adjustment

Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-04-19 12:48

Hi Bill,

Sounds like the crow's foot cork under the C/F key on the right side is either not thick enough, had fallen off, or the key itself might be bent. Do a search for crows foot or crow's foot and I think you'll find more information. This is not a repair that can be done by the in-experienced.

HRL

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Re: E/F Key Adjustment

Author: Bill_D
Date: 2004-04-19 13:19

HRL,

Thanks.

Found what I was looking for searching on "crow foot".

Bill

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Re: E/F Key Adjustment

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-04-19 13:51

It is also often also caused by sloppy pivots, or poor pad installation. And often, in conjunction, one or both pads are closing at the hinge side but not the other, such that seating adjustment is required, ideally to within about 0.01 mm.

I agree that this is a repair that usually cannot be done by the in-experienced, at least not done with a good, reliable result.

You will find that (most) technicians, and certainly manufacturers, do not adjust this by altering the thickness of the linkage cork, but rather by judicious modification of the geometry of the keys involved (i.e. bending) in the right places. If this cork is too thick it introduces 'squishiness' in the linkage. The cork or equivalent is there for silencing, without compromising the precision of the linkage, not for adjustment.

However adding and subtracting material here (to the 'crowsfoot') is a relatively safe makeshift measure.

It is the most complicated area of adjustment for a standard clarinet.

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