 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Iacuras
Date: 2004-09-10 02:29
Hi All! I bought a brand new Vito 7166 bass clarinet a couple of week back, and have been taking good care of it (greasing it, swabbing it, keeping it in the case when not in use, etc.). However, the pad that is supposed to close when you play the low G or mid D, no longer closes. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions on how to take better care of it? Thanks in advance.
Steve
"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
"If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."
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Author: kal
Date: 2004-09-10 03:18
Iacuras wrote:
> the pad that is supposed to close when you play the
> low G or mid D, no longer closes.
Do you mean that the pad doesn't seat properly, or that the key is bent? Either way, take it to a tech; more than likely it's something that can be fixed in about 5 minutes.
Post Edited (2004-09-10 03:19)
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Author: William
Date: 2004-09-10 15:25
Because of the long key mechanizms, bass clarinets are notorious for going out of adjustment, even if you are extremely careful in how you handle it during assembly and performance. The smallest leak can render even the most expensive clarinet useless. As a former band director, I think that the bass clarinet repairs were second only to the trombone slides in need of constant repair. Your repair techperson will know what to do. But when they are playing good, isn't bass clarineting the most fun ever?? Good luck.
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Author: Iacuras
Date: 2004-09-12 00:37
Thanks for all the advice, turns out it was just a littl $5 adjustment that took about 10 min.
Steve
"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
"If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-09-12 02:12
Iacuras, where do you live--I could use that techie!
Bob A
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Author: Iacuras
Date: 2004-09-12 03:30
I live in Denver, CO. He was just the tech at Flesher-Hinton.
Steve
"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
"If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-09-12 11:58
This is a particularly good place to have some sheet teflon glued where the lever connects the key, to reduce the friction, so more finger force gets to close the pad.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2004-09-13 00:13
One problem with side pads on bass clarinets (and, to a lesser extent on regular clarinets of the non-professional grade) is that the framework of "traditional" cases can easily bend them.
WIth a cut out in a plywood framework and a cloth "pouch" hung down into the hole, the instrument fits in a "cradle" formed by the cloth. If you are careful (and if the hole in the plywood is sized correctly), the keywork of the joint will clear the plywood support and the joint be held in place by the cushioned lid.
If things aren't quite up to spec, it's very easy to "drop" the horn onto the framework so that one of the saucer like lower joint pads makes contact first. WIth a bass clarinet body, there's enough mass there to bend things out of registry.
This can be avoided by handling the joint carefully when putting it in the case, and handling the case carefully so as not to toss the horn around in a too loose case setup.
The correction was to pull the guts out of the case, and then to shave away enough of the framework in the problem area. This was hard to do when the cloth is glued on, but it can be done.
Back in the early 1970's my Selmer model 33 had this problem "out of the box", compounded by a lid cushion that was a bit on the sparse side. I sent the case back during the warrantee period, and after a few phone calls and voice raisings, got it replaced. Of course, that case is badly worn these days and there isn't a factory replacement available. (I've ordered two since that were proported to be a perfect fit, only to find out that both were made for a horn with different joint dimensions.)
The same problem often existed with student grade horns of the soprano flavor sold in wood frame cases. However, the lighter weight of the joints usually wasn't enough to torque the keywork arm enough to get things in a bad way.
Now, with computer design tools for the cavities, and with the prevalence of plastic foam cases, it shouldn't be a problem. Don't know how they're shipping Vitos at this time.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-09-13 01:31
Very interesting commentary, Terry - Yes, I've "seen" this problem lurking in cl cases, but haven't really encountered it. I also have a Sel 33, and am quite careful re: all of the large pads. Needing a better case some time ago, I found one on EBAY, which when it arrived, had supports only for the ends of the joints, thus providing much storage space, but with NO bad effects due to caternary [suspension] of the joints [as someone suggested!]. Just lucky, possibly?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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